Paying a month’s rent in advance is a struggle for growing number of tenants

A housing charity is calling for the Scottish Government to increase support for tenants, writes Chris Mccall

Increasing numbers of Scots are struggling to pay a month’s rent in advance when moving to a new property as a result of welfare reforms, housing experts have warned. A new report calls for housing associations “to be as flexible as possible” with tenants over payment of the first month’s rent and for the Scottish Government to increase the level of support available. It shows that the average housing association month’s rent in advance for a one bed home would be just over £255. With the extension of the local housing authority cap to the social sector, charities warned this may prove problematic, especially for young people who will only be able to get the shared room rate. Official statistics published this week found a growing number of younger Scots are already turning to the private sector for accommodation – with 40 per cent of Scots under the age of 40 renting privately in 2016, up from 13 per cent in 1999. Shelter Scotland and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) raised their concerns in a joint report, First Month’s Rent Flexibilities, following growing evidence that the roll-out of Universal Credit, changes to the way housing benefit is calculated and the benefits cap are increasing the financial pressures on many households – both in and out of work. They fear a backlog of arrears for both tenants and housing associations which might never be paid off and could be followed by the possibility of eviction and homelessness. Among several key recommendations was a call to have the option of only one week’s rent in advance and a call to introduce a repayable loan system to help new tenants with their first month’s rent. Adam Lang, head of policy at Shelter Scotland, said: “It’s vital that homeless households and people on low incomes can find a home they can afford. Social housing provides that safety net. But one month’s rent in advance for some is simply not affordable. “People starting their tenancy in arrears is not in anyone’s interest, so flexible arrangements such as one week’s rent in advance or introducing repayable loans from the Scottish Government could make the difference.”

0 Moving house can be a struggle