Section 11 refers to the Homelessness (Scotland) Act 2003 and is due to be implemented on 1 April 2009.  It is part of the commitment that, by 2012, all unintentionally homeless people will be entitled to a permanent home. The introduction of section 11 should provide an additional tool, which, if used as a stepping stone to increasing prevention of homelessness work, will help local authorities (LAs) to reach the 2012 target.

Section 11 should be seen as a building block, which is part of prevention strategies to reduce homelessness.

Mortgage lenders, private landlords and/or registered social landlords (RSLs) must inform the relevant LA when they initiate legal proceedings to repossess a property. The early warning that a Section 11 notification provides, should allow for information and support to be provided to households, which will prevent homelessness occurring, or will allow a planned approach for suitable alternative accommodation to be found.

This briefing uses the results of a Shelter survey of local authority staff about section 11 to illustrate how it is being prepared for and to offer best practice advice.