Renting from the council

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 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.

About council housing

Anyone over 16 can apply for council housing anywhere in Scotland. This page explains more about how to make an application. Read more 

Applying for housing

This page explains more about the application process for housing from the council, a housing association or housing cooperative. It looks at how waiting lists work and how councils assess priority when allocating housing. Read more 

Allocation policies

Councils, housing associations and cooperatives don't all decide who should have priority on their housing waiting lists in the same way. Many use a points system to decide who should get priority. This page explains ways in which councils and RSLs can allocate points. Read more 

Challenging allocation decisions

This page explains what you can do if you have applied for housing from the council, a housing association or co-op and are unhappy with an allocation decision or the way your application has been processed. Read more