Well, worry no more – you have come to the right place. In this article, you will learn about your rights when it comes to short term accommodation, as well as the necessary steps you need to take to overcome this challenge.

Whether you are threatened with homelessness or you are simply homeless, there is a workaround that can save you from this type of situation. The idea is to simply apply to the council – Shelter Scotland – so it can help you look for a place to live. Keep in mind, however, that there is a process involved here before it decides the type of help it can offer. In a nutshell, the council will take a look at your current situation.

As mentioned, it is going to offer you a place to stay, which is called temporary accommodation. Here are the reasons it considers before it offers you with such:

• You are proven to be homeless and, thus, eligible for the council’s assistance.
• You simply have nowhere else to stay.

When Are You Entitled For Temporary Accommodation?

Now, this is a pretty crucial part, as it solely determines your eligibility to temporary accommodation. Likewise the above-mentioned, the council factors into some variables, which are the following:

• The council acts upon you after you have completed the homeless application. In most cases, it can be called emergency or interim accommodation (either way is fine, though).
• The council concludes that you do not necessarily require a permanent home, though you have yet to found a place to live.
• You have asked the council to review the decision it made on the application you submitted; hence, you are waiting for the results of the requested review.
• The council believes it is best to offer you a new and permanent home – you will simply have to wait to move in.

The next thing you need to know is the kind of tenancy you will be entitled to. Basically, there are two important elements to keep in mind:

• You have been deemed a short assured tenant if, and only if, your temporary accommodation is believed to be rented directly from a private landlord or owner.
• If the aforementioned situation is not the case, you will be deemed a common law tenant.

Is Temporary Accommodation Actually Suitable For You?

This one right here is an important section, as you certainly need to understand whether or not temporary accommodation is ideal. Of course, it is going to depend solely on your situation, but it still has some merits that you need to know and understand.

By essence, the council is expected to give you a temporary accommodation, but only if this option is suitable for you and your family. Here are some important factors to consider:

• The accommodation must never be overcrowded.
• The temporary accommodation must not pose a danger to your health. For example, the accommodation must be able to have proper fire safety provisions or undergo a series of repairs if necessary.
• The temporary accommodation must have the qualities that can significantly meet you and your family’s needs.

Apart from the aforementioned, there are other factors that the council takes into consideration before it decides whether or not to deem the accommodation is suitable. They are as follows:

• The amount of rent you are capable of paying
• The accommodation’s existing conditions
• The exact location of the accommodation
• Should be the right size for your family
• Able to accommodate all health needs your family requires
• The underlying social factors, such as being close to family, support services, or special educational institutions, among many others.

How Long Can You Stay?

The council will firstly assess your current situation. From there, it will provide you the decision of whether you are approved for permanent accommodation. The decision, in particular, is expected to be given to you within 28 days. It is worth noting, however, that this is not necessarily the case all the time. As such, it is best to stay in a temporary accommodation until the decision is given.

If once the assessment is done and the council believes you are not eligible for the aforementioned accommodation, you always have the right to stay in your temporary accommodation. And yes, you may do so until you are able to obtain your own accommodation. A general rule of thumb is at least 28 days, the particular timeline you can stay in temporary accommodation.