Highland Council response to Shelter Scotland evictions report

The Chair of The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Committee has responded to the publication of a report by Shelter Scotland this week on evictions by social landlords.

The report examines the number of evictions across Scotland from the social-rented sector, looking at both local authorities and Registered Social Landlords for the period April 2010 – March 2011.

Councillor Margaret Davidson, Chair of The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee said: “We note the comments from Shelter Scotland on Highland’s eviction figures. The Highland Council has a clear policy on rent arrears which does involve considering eviction as a last resort. We believe that our policy and procedures on arrears meet with best practice. We intervene early in all cases of rent arrears and we offer all the advice and assistance we can to try to prevent people falling into arrears. We also make sure that people have access to independent advice and assistance on their legal rights. My advice to tenants is to contact the Council or an independent advice agency as soon as possible if they are facing problems with rent so that we can prevent the possibility of eviction.”