Scottish household survey 2016: key findings

Housing

Tenure over time

The private rented sector has grown steadily from 5% in 1999 to 15% in 2016.

The social rented sector declined from 32% in 1999 to 23% in 2007, and has remained around this level since then.

Whilst the proportion of owner occupied homes in 2016 is at a similar level to 1999, there has been an increase in those owning outright and a decrease in those buying with a mortgage throughout this time period.

Housing stock

67% of private rented properties were flats in 2016.

In the social-rented sector, 56% of such properties are flats.

In comparison, only 20% of owner-occupied properties are flats.

Aspirations in social-rented sector

Aspirations

44% of social rented households would most like to live in an owner-occupier property.

Around half (49%) would like to continue to live in a social rented property.

Length of time at current address

41% of those renting from a private landlord had been at their address for less than a year.

In contrast, half of those who own outright had lived at their address for more than 20 years.