The type of temporary accommodation the council can offer if you're homeless depends on your needs and what's available.

All temporary accommodation must meet basic standards. The council must offer you somewhere that meets extra standards after 7 days in basic standard accommodation. There are some exceptions to this.

You can get advice and challenge the council if you’re in unsuitable accommodation for longer than 7 days.

The council can offer emergency accommodation for 7 days

Emergency accommodation is sometimes called interim or unsuitable accommodation. It must always meet basic standards. This can be a hostel, hotel or bed and breakfast. All accommodation must:

• not be overcrowded

• be wind and watertight

• not be a danger to your health, have adequate fire safety provisions and not need major repair work

If you’re a single person, not pregnant, and you agree to it, it can also be:

• rapid access accommodation, which must have a lockable bedroom, and offer specialist support services

• a shared tenancy with no more than 5 people, which must be of a good standard and where you have your own lockable bedroom

• a room in someone’s home

The council can offer you accommodation that is not in the council area for the first 7 days if either:

• you become homeless after office hours

• there is no other suitable accommodation available

There are further standards that the accommodation must meet, but only after 7 days in accommodation with basic standards.

You can stay for longer if you agree. If you do not agree, the council has to offer you something more suitable.

After 7 days in emergency accommodation

Unless you’re in a domestic abuse refuge or supported accommodation, after 7 days the council must offer a place that:

• is usable 24 hours a day

• has a proper private bathroom that you can access

• is in the council area, unless you agree to stay elsewhere

• is suitable for your children to visit if they do not live with you permanently

• has enough bedrooms for the size of your household, taking into account who can share a room

• has proper cooking facilities and a living room that you can use, but this can be shared amongst other households

The council must also take you and your family’s needs into account when making an offer of temporary accommodation.

The place you’re offered should be located in an area where you can reasonably access your workplace, school, and health and support services.

Do not refuse an offer if you have nowhere else safe to go.

Contact a Shelter Scotland adviser if you’ve been in unsuitable accommodation for longer than 7 days, or you believe the offer being made is unsuitable.