Rent Arrears Rise

Demand for advice on rent arrears has increased by 40% over the last five years, according to a new report.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) blamed changes to the social security system for the rise in the number of people facing problems paying their rent. It said the increasing demand matched the period in which Universal Credit has been rolled out.

The CAS report - Our Rent Arrears - Causes and Consequences - found:

• The growth in rent arrears advice coincided closely with changes to the social security system;
• Almost a quarter of those living in rented accommodation have experienced rent arrears in last five years;
• CAB clients with rent arrears are more likely to be in part-time employment or unemployed;
• They are more likely to be single person or a lone parent, to be aged between 25 and 44, and to live in the 20% most deprived areas.

It also discovered that the most common reasons for rent arrears were a benefits issue, loss of income or unexpected costs.

Borrowing money or cutting back on essentials were among the most common ways people tried to resolve their problem.

And it claimed the incidence of rent arrears is far higher among tenants receiving Universal Credit.

CAS spokesman Rob Gowans said: "The rise in rent arrears is one of the most worrying trends we see across the CAB network at the moment. While there are a number of factors driving this, we have no doubt that the flaws in Universal Credit are one of the main ones. For the past 18 months we have been calling for a halt and fix to Universal Credit."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-45894810