Council, housing association and housing co-op tenancies

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 your rights if you rent your home from the council or from a registered social landlord (RSL). Housing associations and housing cooperatives are both RSLs. It also explains your rights if you are homeless and living in temporary accommodation.

If you are a council, housing association or housing co-op tenant, you will probably have either a Scottish secure tenancy (SST) or a short Scottish secure tenancy (SSST). SSSTs are only created in special circumstances, so if you have not been told specifically that you have an SSST, you will have a Scottish secure tenancy.

The pages below outline your rights under these tenancy agreements. Ask the council, housing association or co-op if you're not sure what kind of tenancy agreement you have.

Scottish secure tenancies

This page explains your rights if you have a Scottish secure tenancy agreement (SST) with the council, a housing association or a housing cooperative. Read more 

Short Scottish secure tenancies

This section explains what a short Scottish secure tenancy is and what your rights are if you have an SSST agreement with the council, a housing association or a housing cooperative. Read more 

Your responsibilities

If you have an SST or an SSST you have many rights as a tenant. However, you also have certain responsibilities. It's important you keep to the terms of your tenancy agreement, otherwise you may get evicted. Read more 

Rights in temporary accommodation

This page explains your rights if you are homeless and staying in temporary accommodation provided by the council. Read more