Landlord News

Evictions have Declined in Scotland

Council and social landlord evictions in Scotland have declined by almost 50% in the past four years it has been revealed.

Housing charity, Shelter Scotland, has carried out analysis to show that 1,918 tenants were evicted in 2010/11, which was 13% less than the previous year and represented a drop of 46% from 2007/08.

The charity warned, however, that the threat of eviction was still being used by “too many” landlords as a means to collect rent. Last year there were 1,157 evictions across Scotland by councils, whilst registered social landlords, such as housing associations, were responsible for 761 evictions.

Out of the 26 local authorities that rent out council homes, Fife was the region which saw a significant increase in the number of evictions last year.

Shelter Scotland has reported that the overall decrease in evictions last year was less than the previous years, however, they cited that it was “still significant”, especially in the face of economic uncertainty.

However, over 78,000 Notice of Proceedings for recovery of possession against tenants were still issued last year.

Director of Shelter Scotland, Graeme Brown, has been commenting on such threats of eviction: “This suggests that eviction or the threat of eviction is still being used as a routine mechanism for rent collection, which we argue is an expensive and unproductive way to engage with tenants who are struggling with debt issues.”

The charity is urging councils and housing associations to try to prevent homelessness wherever possible.