Storing your belongings and pet care when you’re homeless
If you’re homeless and unable to protect your belongings, the council must arrange storage. They may charge you for this.
In some cases the council might help with pet care.
When the council must help you protect your belongings
The council have a duty to prevent the loss or damage of your belongings if:
you’re unable to arrange storage yourself
there’s a danger of loss or damage to them
no other arrangements have been made to protect them
Mention your belongings during your homeless interview.
The council may charge you for storage. Charges should be reasonable and based on what you can afford. They should tell you in advance how much you'll be charged.
The council may help you collect your belongings if you do not have access to them, or if it's not safe for you to get them. For example, if you've been illegally evicted or you're fleeing abuse.
What belongings the council will store
The council will put moveable property into storage. That includes furniture, kitchenware, electronics and clothing.
They will not move or store fixed furnishings such as built-in cabinets, or work equipment.
How long the council will look after your belongings
The council must protect your belongings until you're able to look after them yourself.
Their duty to protect your belongings will usually end when either:
you get a permanent home
they make a decision on your homeless application which means they have no further duty to help you
they believe there is no longer a danger of damage or loss to your property
The council must inform you in writing when they no longer have a duty to protect your belongings. They should give you enough time to make your own arrangements.
If you've been offered a permanent home, the council may help with the delivery of your belongings.
When the council can get rid of your belongings
The council may get rid of your belongings if:
it's been a reasonable amount of time since their duty to protect your belongings ended
they lose contact with you for some time – this should normally be around 6 months
They have to follow specific procedures in order to do this. They should:
tell you when their duty to look after your belongings has ended, and include reasons why
tell you in advance the circumstances in which they will get rid of your property
make efforts to get in contact with you
If they do not, you can make a complaint. Check our advice on making a complaint about the council.
Paying for storage
If you're on a low income or benefits, the council may agree to store your belongings for free. Otherwise, they will usually charge you for the cost of storage.
It may be cheaper and more practical to arrange removals and storage yourself. You can search online for local removal and storage services in your area.
Being made homeless with pets
The council should try to find suitable accommodation for you and your pets.
If you cannot keep pets in your temporary accommodation, the council should help you look after them. This could include arranging a kennel for them. The council could ask you to pay a reasonable charge for this.
You can also arrange a kennel yourself or contact the Pet Fostering Service Scotland. Pet fostering means someone looks after your pet temporarily until you can take them back.
You can get help finding dog-friendly temporary accommodation from Dogs Trust.
If you have a guide dog or an assistance animal
The council must provide accommodation where your assistance animal can stay with you. In some cases, you can ask for adjustments to the property.
If you're not able to access accommodation with your assistance animal, get legal advice. You can:
check if you can get free legal advice or legal aid
If you have problems with storing your belongings
Contact a Shelter Scotland adviser if the council:
refuses to help store your belongings
charges you for storage without telling you in advance
fails to take proper care of your belongings
gets rid of your belongings without following the right process
refuses to help arrange care for your pets
Last updated: 19 September 2024
Housing laws differ between Scotland and England.
This content applies to Scotland only.