Tenant participation newsletter: making a difference

The Scottish Household Survey

The Scottish Household Survey (SHS) has been asked of a sample of people in Scotland since in 1999. The SHS produces results for the whole of Scotland and every local authority every year. The SHS social interview is carried out face to face by professional interviewers working for Ipsos Mori using computer tablets to record answers. In some cases, the interviewers are followed by professional surveyors who conduct an inspection of the dwelling.

The surveys asks about if people think their area is a good place to live in.

The survey shows that not all households manage the same.

Why should households living in social rented homes complete the survey?

It is important to complete because the results of the SHS are essential in helping the Scottish Government to develop an understanding of households living in social rented homes, to help ensure that government policies and legislation meet the needs of those living in this sector. Key information collected includes information on the characteristics and composition of households, including on health, disability, housing adaptations and support, along with information on people’s housing satisfaction and housing aspirations.

Information from the physical survey component of the SHS is important as this allows the monitoring of housing quality in terms of the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS), in which social landlords must make sure that their tenants’ homes are in a good state of repair, energy efficient, healthy, safe and secure.

Falling response rates from social rented tenants

The SHS response rate has fallen from 68% in 1999 to 64% in 2017. Those living in different tenures of housing have differing response rates.

Currently, there are less renters in the first issue sample.

Also, less tenants of social housing are agreeing to have a surveyor assess their dwelling. This has fallen from over 90% to 78% in 5 years.

Please do take part in the survey if you are selected. It is important for all voices to be heard in Scotland.

SHS Project Team

Area 1-F (Dockside), Victoria Quay,

Edinburgh EH6 6QQ

Tel: 0131 244 1685

Email: shs@gov.scot

Web: www.gov.scot/SHS

Twitter: @ScotStat

Mailing List

If you wish to be added to the e-mail mailing list to be kept informed of details of SHS developments, you should register your interest in ‘Population and Household Surveys’ and/or the Scottish Household Survey sub-topic on the ScotStat Register http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/scotstat/Intro