Opinion

With human rights once again on the domestic and international agenda, Shelter Scotland wants to ensure that any new legislation puts good housing right at its heart, writes Lisa Glass. A new Act of the Scottish Parliament on human rights?

In light of the announcement by the Scottish Government regarding the implementation date for Freedom of Information (FOI) applying to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), Eileen Barr and Len Freedman outline the areas covered by the new regime. On 11 November 2019 all Scottish RSLs will become subje

Madeline Cross, events and communications co-ordinator at youth homelessness charity the Rock Trust asks why it is so hard for young people to rent privately, and what needs to change.

In the first in a Scottish Government series of guest blogs, Phil Wray provides an insight into the progress Glasgow City Mission has made this winter, helping more people into settled accommodation. Most of us have had the heart-rending experience of walking through a city on a cold winter morning

A model agreement between the Scottish Government, West Lothian Council and a newly-created joint venture could help tackle Scotland’s housing crisis if replicated in other regions, writes Russell Munro. Mary Queen of Scots is said to have stopped off at Niddry Castle near the village of Winch

David Bookbinder tackles the thorny issue of tenement repairs and offers workable solutions which he believes could save this vital part of Scotland’s community and heritage.

Lisa Glass responds to the latest Scottish Government statistics on homeless applications and households in temporary accommodation.

CIH policy and practice officer Sam Lister rounds up all the latest changes to Universal Credit – including some which have slipped under the radar. Already in 2019 we’ve seen several new announcements about Universal Credit – in addition to those in the November Budget. Some have

Planning consultant Colin Lavety makes the case for housing land allocation decisions to be made at a national level which he argues would standardise the process and increase the number of homes being delivered. Encouraging local authorities to empower communities across Scotland is a man

CIH President Jim Strang and chief executive of Scottish Women's Aid Marsha Scott examine the role of housing in helping to protect people experiencing domestic abuse.

Marking one year since the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act saw private rented civil cases transferred to the Housing and Property Chamber, BTO solicitor Lauren McLeod provides comment on how the tribunals have been working in practice. Unlike the short assured tenancy regime, which allowe

Shelter Scotland’s campaigns and policy officer Aoife Deery on why 2019 must be a year in which the momentum towards tackling homelessness continues.

As the Fuel Poverty Bill continues to make its way through Parliament, CIH Scotland’s policy and practice manager Ashley Campbell reflects on the need for cross party commitment to achieve real changes. On 16 October the National Records of Scotland published its annual statistics showing how

Several recent judgements by the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) show that tenants now have an effective way of making sure that their landlord or letting agent meet the minimum standards for the condition of their homes, writes James Mullaney.

In this new blog for CIH Scotland, Linda Moir, former director of customer service at Virgin Atlantic and head of event services at the London 2012 Olympic Games, talks about the importance of delivering excellent customer service in your organisation. Throughout my professional life I have lived an