Homelessness
Preventing your Homelessness
We want to prevent your homelessness by helping you remain where you are or find a new home. What options are available to you depends on your circumstances.
When you are at risk of losing your home, there may be options other than eviction or repossession. We offer households in difficulties a range of housing, money and welfare rights services including:
- Assistance with benefits problems or issues
- Negotiation with your landlord
- Referral to mortgage rescue schemes via the Scottish Government
- Support to help you keep your tenancy
- Referral to money and debt advice
- Pre-court advice and assistance to seek representation in some cases
We run a Rent Deposit Scheme and Homeless Prevention Fund which you may qualify for and can use to secure another private let.
The best way to avoid homelessness is early action. Please get in touch with us if you believe you are at risk of becoming homeless.
You may be able to rent or buy on the private market or want to apply for social housing:
You may need assistance with your finances:
You may need to find out about your rights as a private tenant:
If you are having trouble at home and may have to leave because of a family or relationship breakdown, there are mediation support services in the Highlands. These offer independent and impartial advice and support to help address issues at home and allow you to stay where you are.
- Relationship Scotland – Family Mediation Highland
- Counselling Highland
- First Psychology Inverness
- Opendoors – lifecoaching
- Lochaber Hope
- Cross Reach
The above is not an endorsement of any of these services. Other mediation services exist in both the Highlands and nationally. Search online for other services to see which one best suit you.
If you are at risk of homelessness, contact the Council Homeless team as soon as possible. The earlier we can help, the more likely it is we can prevent your homelessness.