Thousands of tenants in the social rented sector are either threatened with losing their home or are evicted each year. As the 2012 homelessness target approaches it is important for councils and housing associations to use eviction as a last resort and not make tenants homeless when there is an alternative to legal action.

Shelter’s policy work on evictions

Evictions by social landlords in Scotland – This report looks at the current levels of eviction in the social rented sector and how eviction levels have changed over time, as well as arguing for eviction to be used as a last resort by councils and housing associations. It includes analysis of individual local authority eviction rates and the performance of housing associations across Scotland, plus a number of tables containing statistical information on evictions in 2007-08:

• Table 1 (Pg 4): summarises social rented eviction levels in 2007-08. 
• Table 2 (Pg 8): compares local authority stock with the number of tenants taken to court.
• Table 3 (Pg 10): shows how many court actions result in a decree for eviction being granted. 
• Table 4 (Pg 12): shows how many decrees for eviction actually result in an eviction.
• Table 5 (Pg 13): looks at the eviction rates of the 6 stock transfer housing associations - including Glasgow Housing Association (GHA).
• Table 6 (Pg 15): presents evictions by councils in 2007-08 as a percentage of their total lettings for the year.

Eviction of children and families: the impact and the alternatives - a Shelter briefing promoting alternative courses of action that social landlords can take to avoid the eviction of families with children.

Children growing up in social housing continue to lose their homes due to eviction. Eviction is a sign of failure and it is questionable whether eviction can ever be the most effective or ideal response to the difficulties faced by a family with children – from either an economic, social or moral perspective. Shelter believes alternatives need to be sought so that children do not lose their homes and spend unacceptable periods paying the price for debts which are the result of lack of appropriate support, housing benefit administration errors or financial mismanagement.

Research and statistics on evictions

Information on local authority evictions is collected by the Scottish Government and published each year in the Housing Statistics for Scotland bulletin. For information on evictions by housing associations please contact the Scottish Housing Regulator.

Further information

• For information and advice on dealing with debt, eviction, paying for accommodation, claiming housing benefit and other financial support issues, visit our advice pages.
• Find out what you can do to assist Shelter in campaigning for improvements.
• For more detailed information on evictions, subscribe to Shelter Legal.