Housing rights knowledge low Shelter Scotland research finds

Housing rights knowledge low Shelter Scotland research finds

A survey conducted by Shelter Scotland has found that 60% of adults in Scotland know little or nothing about their housing rights.

The study, which coincides with World Homeless Day, found that a majority of respondents in every demographic said they knew little or nothing, with 62% in the 25-49 and 65+ age brackets.

In the West of Scotland, 66% of adults believe they knew little or nothing about their housing rights.

Assistant Director of Shelter Scotland, Gordon MacRae, said:

“The cost-of-living crisis is stretching household incomes to breaking point and we need to make sure people are not only aware of their housing rights but are also able to properly defend them. 

“There are record numbers of children in temporary accommodation, people across the country are struggling to meet their housing costs, and the homelessness system is on the brink of collapse. This is a housing emergency.

“While we need to see an urgent and significant increase to the supply of social homes to seriously address the issue, we also need to make sure people know their rights and can protect them.

“At Shelter Scotland we have comprehensive guides to your housing rights available via our website, as well as advice on how to enforce them. We also have a team of trained advisors who can support you when you need extra help.

“Only building more social homes will bring the housing emergency to a permanent end but it’s vital that in the current climate people know their rights and are empowered to defend them.”