There are many different ways to access housing. These pages contain some information about the different types of housing that are available to rent and buy in Scotland.
If you want to find out more about any of these options or have a more detailed discussion about the right type of home for you, you should contact your local council. Links to all council websites can be found on the Scottish Government website.
If you are having problems with your current home or you think you might be at risk of homelessness, you should contact your local council as soon as possible or seek advice from an independent organisation such as Shelter Scotland.
Local Authority Housing
Local Authority Housing – or council housing – is available from most councils across Scotland.
Council housing is not available in:
- Argyle & Bute
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Eilean Siar
- Glasgow City
- Inverclyde
But you may be able to access affordable housing in these areas through a housing association or housing co-operative.
Anyone over 16 can apply for council housing anywhere in Scotland.
To apply for council housing, you need to fill in an application form, which you can get from your local council’s housing department.
For more help and information, contact your local council or visit the Shelter Scotland website.
Housing Association or Co-operative Housing
Housing associations are not-for profit organisations that rent houses and flats across Scotland.
They provide good, low-cost accommodation for people who really need it. Housing associations are run by committees of volunteers elected by tenants.
Anyone over the age of 16 can apply for a home through a housing association. Some housing associations specialise in accommodation for particular groups of people such as:
- Young people
- Elderly people
- Disabled people
- Single people
To apply for this type of housing, you will need to fill in an application form, which you can get either through your local council or directly from the housing association.
Housing associations and co-operatives don’t usually ask for a deposit, but will often ask for a rent payment in advance.
For more help and information, you should contact your local council or visit the Shelter Scotland website.
Renting Privately
You can rent a home from an individual or company-based landlord. Some are managed directly by the landlord and some landlords use a letting agent to manage the tenancy.
The rent you will pay will depend on a number of things, including location, size and condition of property, as well as the prices in the area.
There are lots of ways to find a private rented home:
- Ask around – family, friends or work colleagues
- Adverts – check out ads in shop windows, notice boards, community centres
- Online – there are lots of websites listing rental properties
- Your local council – some council advice centres as may have lists of accommodation available to rent
- If you are a student – your Student Accommodation Office should have lists of reputable landlords who rent to students.
Private landlords need to register with their local authority so that they can be sure they are suitable people to let out property. Check the private landlords database to find out if a landlord is registered.
Private landlords usually ask for a deposit – often 1 – 2 months rent in advance. Landlords MUST put the deposit into a Rent Deposit Guarantee scheme within 30 working days of starting the tenancy and they must inform you that they have done so. If the landlord does not handle your money correctly, you may be entitled to compensation.
For more help and information, you should contact your local council or visit the Shelter Scotland website.
Mid-Market Rent
Some housing associations and councils offer mid-market rent properties.
Mid-market rent aims to help people who are working but may not be a priority for council or housing association housing and who would otherwise be unable to purchase a property in the current market and find full market rent too expensive.
Rent for mid-market rent homes is usually in line with or below the Local Housing Allowance rates for particular areas. This reflects the rents charged in the private rented sector and means that mid-market rent is usually cheaper than the average private rents in an area.
Mid-market rent homes could be provided by a council, housing association or co-operative.
Anyone can apply for mid-market rent homes, but they are let – or allocated – using ‘prioritisation models’ developed by each organisation. These models may include conditions such as being in work or restrictions on how much you earn.
You will need to fill in an application form, which you can get directly from your local council, the housing association or their website.
Mid-market rent providers often ask for a deposit – often one month’s rent in advance. If a deposit is taken, it MUST be paid into a Rent Deposit Guarantee scheme within 30 working days of starting the tenancy and they must inform you that they have done so. If the landlord does not handle your money correctly, you may be entitled to compensation.
For more help and information, you should contact your local council.