Scottish Housing Day

Dear Editor

This week marks the first ever Scottish Housing Day.

Coinciding with this, a specially commissioned opinion poll has found wide variations in housing preferences and awareness across Scotland.

The poll findings underline the benefits of organising an annual housing day since most people have limited awareness of potential housing options beyond buying with a mortgage, social or private renting.

The public generally knows very little about other options such as shared equity, mid-market rent, Help to Buy or self-build. There are also big regional variations in types of housing people might consider. The percentage of adults considering buying with a mortgage ranges from 62 per cent in the Lothians to 32 per cent in the Central region.

Self-build is a particularly popular preference in the Highlands and Islands, social renting is rated high in the list of preferences in the South of Scotland – and interest in renting from a private landlord ranges from 29 per cent in the Lothians to just eight per cent in the Highlands and Islands.

As an ongoing campaign, the aim of Scottish Housing Day is to raise awareness and to help people access the information they need to make the right housing choice to suit their individual circumstances. More information can be found here: www. scottishhousingday.co.uk

Annie Mauger Executive Director CIH Scotland