Families and households
This content applies to Scotland only.
Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. This page applies to Scotland only. Get advice relating to England
This section looks at the housing issues that can arise when you live with other people, such as family members, your husband, wife or civil partner, an opposite sex or same sex partner, flatmates or housemates. It explains your rights if you share rented accommodation or move in with your partner, and also your position if your relationship breaks down or you are experiencing domestic abuse. Your rights will vary depending on the legal status of your relationship and whether you own or rent your home.
Changes to family law
On 4 May 2006, family law in Scotland changed substantially. These changes may affect your housing rights as well. This page outlines the main changes at a glance. Read more 
Sharing rented accommodation
When you share rented accommodation with other people, your rights will depend on whether you and your housemates have joint or separate tenancies and who your landlord is (for example, the council or a private landlord). This will affect how easily you can be evicted, and what you can do if you have problems with your housemates. Read more 
Living together
Your rights if you move in with a partner will depend on whether you rent or own your home and whether or not you are married or in a civil partnership. There's no such thing as common law marriage in Scotland, and you will have fewer rights if you live together. Read more 
Living with your parents
As you grow up, it's only natural that you won't always see eye to eye with your parents or guardians. However, if you're having problems living at home, moving out is not the only option. This page looks at ways you can improve your relationship with your parents, and also looks at issues surrounding stepfamilies and how to cope if a parent dies. Read more 
Relationship breakdown
This section offers information to help you solve the housing issues which are likely to arise if you are separating from your husband, wife or partner. Your rights will differ depending on the kind of relationship you are in, whether you rent or own your home and whose name is on the tenancy agreement or title deeds. Read more 
Domestic abuse
This section explains how to tackle the housing and homelessness issues connected to domestic abuse: how to find yourself somewhere new to live if you need to leave your home, what to do if you become homeless as a result of domestic abuse and how to exclude the abusive partner from your home. It also has links to organisations that can help you. Read more 
Counselling and mediation
This page has information on getting counselling or mediation to help work through your problems. Read more 
Caring for someone at home
This section is for carers who look after a family member, partner or friend. Caring can be rewarding, but it can also be isolating and exhausting. This section looks at how to get help from social work and other organisations and where you can get financial support. It also has advice for young carers and the parents of disabled children. Read more 
Death in the household
This section looks at your housing rights if a member of your household dies. Your rights will depend on whether you rent or own your home, and what arrangements the person made before they died. Read more 

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