Eviction worries - Shelter praise some social landlords

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, says: “It’s great news that evictions in Edinburgh City are down by 37 percent and that over the last four years they have been cut by 51%." And whilst they say they will continue to take legal action where tenants don't make arrangements to repay, the council is one of those making sure that tenants have access to a range of specialist staff who can help them with debt and money problems. East Lothian Council was also praised highly.

Shelter Scotland is currently working successfully with social landlords such as Glasgow Housing Association and Stirling Council on practical solutions to further reduce rent arrears and evictions.

Councils carried out 1,157 evictions last year, a drop of 8% on 2009/10. Meanwhile, registered social landlords, such as housing associations, were responsible for 761, a reduction of 19%.  Of the 26 local authorities who rent out council homes, only Fife significantly increased evictions in the last year.