The report, Walking the Talk, recognises that human rights is both a rapidly evolving and complex area and it provides information and advice to help housing professionals better understand the relationship human rights has with housing. This includes checklists that help support landlords to take the steps required to ensure each of the characteristics of a right to adequate housing is realised and provides case studies of best practice across the sector. Although principally written for social landlords, the guide can also be used by private landlords and letting agents.

The paper also considers how the Scottish Government can provide better support to landlords so that they can progress adequate housing and improve the lives of those using their services.

The report comes at a time when the Scottish Government is planning to incorporate civil, political, economic, social, cultural and environmental human rights into Scots Law, making housing an enforceable human right within domestic legislation.

Callum Chomczuk, national director for CIH Scotland, said: “Housing and human rights can feel complex but at its core it is a set of principles for tackling inequalities, discrimination, and powerlessness. This guide we are launching today sets out some of the key steps landlords can take today, ahead of any further legal incorporation, to ensure those rights are recognised for the benefit of their tenants.

“It also sets out some of the thorny policy issues and tensions the government will need to address if the sector can be best placed to support realising housing as a human right.

“We hope the publication of today’s report helps support the sector in its understanding of the application of human rights and will make a real difference to the lives of tenants.”

The report was commissioned by CIH Scotland and conducted by Newhaven Research. You can find out more by joining report author Gillian Young and other special guest speakers at a free online event, kindly hosted by the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) on 1 February, 14:00 – 15:00.  Register here.