New survey of Scottish Housing Regulator’s National Panel of Tenants and Service Users shows that three-quarters feel their financial circumstances have deteriorated over last year

In addition, four out of five had concerns about their financial circumstances going forward over the next few years

A new survey of the Scottish Housing Regulator’s National Panel of Tenants and Service Users shows that three-quarters feel their financial circumstances have deteriorated over the last year.

The annual survey of the Panel – which has around 500 members including social tenants, people who have used homelessness services, residents of social rented Gypsy/Traveller sites and owners using social landlord factoring services – looked at respondents' views and experiences around their financial circumstances, how they have changed in the last 12 months, and how they feel about their future finances.

Key findings include –

  • a quarter (25 per cent) are not currently managing well financially, with 12 per cent in financial difficulty;
  • nearly three quarters (73 per cent) struggle with unexpected expenses and more than a third (35 per cent) often have to delay/miss paying a bill (a 14-point increase from the 2020/2021 survey);
  • around three quarters (76 per cent) feel that their financial circumstances are worse now than 12 months ago, including more than a third (36 per cent) who feel significantly worse off;
  • increased food and energy costs were seen as the biggest contributors to financial difficulties – more than 7 in 10 felt these have had a 'significant impact' on them; and
  • a large majority (82 per cent) were concerned about their financial circumstances over the next few years, including around a third (33 per cent) for whom this was a 'major concern'.

In response to the findings, the Scottish Housing Regulator’s Helen Shaw said –

'Our work with the National Panel is an important way for us to better understand the priorities, concerns and thoughts of tenants and service users of social landlords in Scotland. This year’s report once again highlights that tenants are facing significant cost of living challenges, and that pressures on household finances have heightened. We hope the research is helpful to everyone with an interest in social housing.'

For more information, see Regulator’s National Panel highlights worsening financial difficulties facing tenants from housingregulator.gov.scot