Evolution of Scottish Housing - From Rents to Ownership

1. Changing Markets in Rents

2. Background • At the start of the 20th Century, the majority of Scottish households rented a dwelling from a private landlord. • By 1970, most were tenants of the local authority. • Today, the majority of Scottish households own their own home.

3. In 1914, private landlords owned an estimated 90 out of every 100 dwellings. • Almost 20% of Scotland’s current urban housing stock and almost 33% of the current rural stock was built before 1919.

4. Between 1919 and 1939 Scottish councils built approximately 230,000 dwellings. • In the 1920s this was directed at stock enhancement. • By the 1930s the emphasis turned towards stock replacement through slum clearance programmes.

5. After the Second World War, public authorities built over 650,000 homes in 25 years – many were high rise flats and non-traditional buildings. • This growth in the public sector led to the decline in the private rented sector.

6. By 1971 the private rented sector accounted for only 17% of households. • By 1981 this had fallen to less than 10% • Today is about 7.5%

7. In 1970, only just over 30% of Scots owned their own home. • Significantly lower than the rest of Britain.

8. The Housing (Scotland) Act 1969 • The Tolerable Standard • is structurally stable • is substantially free from rising or penetrating damp • has an adequate supply of piped wholesome water • has a water closet (WC) suitably located within the house for the exclusive use of the occupants • has an effective system for the drainage and disposal of foul and surface water • has satisfactory provision for the storage, preparation and cooking of food • has satisfactory access to all external doors and outbuildings

9. 1964 and 1974 Housing Acts led to the modern Housing Association • Early emphasis on rehabilitation of pre 1919 tenements • By 1980, 53 Housing Associations, all in Glasgow and Edinburgh • 5,500 new homes for let built by 1980 • Scottish Homes established in 1989

10. Right to Buy legislation introduced in 1981 • Over 500,000 local authority homes have now been bought by sitting tenants in Scotland. • Today, 9 councils seeking to ban or suspend the Right to Buy because of shortages.

11. Average L/A rents in 2007; • £48.19 per week • £2505.88 per annum • Highest in Edinburgh, £58.11per week • Lowest in Moray, £38.07 per week

12. 1996 and 2002 House Condition Surveys • 65.5% owner occupied • 38% of all dwellings are flats • 60% of these are tenements • 66% built after World War 2 • Only 10% employ a factor or management company

14. Rent registration Service – Fair (Registered rents)

15. Solicitors property centres • Dwellings to let • Glasgow - 440 • Edinburgh - 151 • Aberdeen - 177