Your location: Finding a place to live
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 provides information about the different housing options available, from council housing to buying your own home. It also has information on supported housing, student accommodation and mobile homes, as well as advice for young people leaving home for the first time and a section on moving home.
Before you start exploring this section, read the page on why are you looking for accommodation. If you don't have anywhere permanent to live at the moment (for example if you are sleeping on a friend's sofa or living in a hostel or bed and breakfast hotel), or if your current accommodation isn't suitable for you, you may be legally homeless. If this is the case, your local council can help you find a new home.
Why are you looking?
There are lots of reasons why you may be looking for a new home. If it's because of problems with your current home, you may be able to put these problems right, so you don't have to leave at all. If you currently have no home, or if your home is not suitable for you to live in, you may be legally homeless, and can get help from the council. Read more 
Things to consider
The housing options open to you depend on your particular circumstances. This section outlines the things you should consider when you're thinking about where you want to live. Read more
Renting from the council
This section explains how to go about getting housing from the council or a registered social landlord (a housing association or housing cooperative). It looks at the application process, how housing is allocated and how to deal with any problems you have applying. Read more
Housing associations
Housing associations offer affordable accommodation in cities and rural areas. Some housing associations specialise in accommodation for particular groups of people, such as older people, disabled people or young people. Some offer support services to help you settle into your new home. Read more
Housing cooperatives
Housing cooperatives are similar to housing associations, but are jointly owned and run by their tenants. This page explains how housing co-ops work and what you need do to apply. Read more
Renting privately
This section explains how to find rented accommodation from a private landlord or letting agency and highlights things you should be aware of when looking at potential rental properties. It also explains about tenancy agreements and what you should do before you move into your new home. Read more
Buying a home
This section looks at how to go about buying a home in Scotland. It has information on buying a home if you're disabled, and grants and loans that may be available to help buyers. If you are a council or housing association tenant, you may have the right to buy your home - this section explains how this works. Read more
Shared ownership
Some housing associations and other organisations operate a shared ownership scheme, where a property is owned jointly between landlord and tenant. The rules governing shared ownership vary between housing associations, so it's important you understand what your rights and responsibilities are. Read more
If you have special requirements
Sometimes having a home of your own is not enough. If you think that you need help or adaptations so that you can stay in your home, or you're considering moving to a home where you can receive help or that is more suitable for your needs, this section will help you look at your options. Read more
Student accommodation
When you are offered a place at university or college, you should be sent information about accommodation. If you don't receive anything, call the university's accommodation department. Read more
Mobile homes and houseboats
Mobile homes offer a cost effective alternative to renting or buying traditional 'bricks and mortar' property. This section explains more about buying or renting a mobile home and what you should consider if you are interested in going mobile. It also includes an introduction to buying or renting a houseboat. Read more
Squatting
Squatting is not an option in Scotland. If you are caught trying to get into someone else's property or living there without permission, you could end up facing criminal and civil action. Read more
Leaving home
Leaving home can be an exciting and liberating experience, but it can also be stressful and difficult. Being well prepared can help the process go smoothly so that you avoid ending up in unsuitable accommodation or, worse, finding yourself with nowhere to live at all. Read more
Moving home
This section tells you what you need to do when you leave a property and move into a new home, including how to end a tenancy properly, how to exchange your home if you are a council or housing association tenant, and how to go about selling one property and buying another. Read more
Asylum seekers and refugees
This section provides information on the housing rights of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. It gives advice on how to access support from the UK Border Agency. Read more
Gypsies/Travellers
This section has information for Gypsies/Travellers on council sites, privately run sites and unauthorised sites, including access to pitches and your rights on site. It also looks at settled housing for Gypsies/Travellers and issues surrounding homelessness. Read more
Crofts and crofting
A croft is not a house but a unit of agricultural land. Traditionally, crofting tenants rent their crofts from a landowner, but some crofters may also have bought their crofts. This means it's now possible to buy a croft, or the tenure of a croft, on the open market. This section looks at what you can do if you're interested in renting or buying a croft. Read more
