Scots struggling to pay the rent on a housing association property have been reassured they won't lose their home even after an eviction ban was lifted.
The restriction was imposed at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic to protect tenants who had fallen behind with their payments after losing their jobs or being furloughed.
But the 13-month order was lifted when the majority of Scotland moved to Level 2 in May.
Politicians and charities have previously warned that lifting the ban could lead to a flood of evictions.
Figures released by the Scottish Housing Regulator show that 38 properties were seized between April to June after eviction orders were granted by the courts.
But housing associations have now moved to reassure tenants struggling to make ends meet that they will not face eviction - as long as they proactively engage with their landlord about finding a solution.
Sally Thomas of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) told the Record there was a long history of housing associations and co-operatives working with tenants to prevent evictions.
The chief executive said: "We want to reassure housing association and co-operative tenants that they are not at risk of eviction if they work with their social landlord to try to pay their rent.
"Social landlords have never evicted – and will never evict - a tenant who is struggling to pay their rent but is trying to do so and is engaging with them.
“Housing associations and co-operatives have a longstanding history of doing all they can to maintain people’s tenancies, including support to access benefits, budgeting advice, hardship funds, employability services and arranging manageable rent repayment plans.
“If you’re a tenant who is struggling to pay your rent, I would urge you to get in touch with your housing association or co-operative today. They can, and will, help you to pay your rent and to keep your home.”
A number of housing associations offer a welfare rights advice services at no extra cost to tenants.
Gary, a tenant who rents his home in Glasgow from Thenue Housing, undertook a pre-tenancy assessment to ensure he was moving into the right property to meet his requirements and finances.
He applied for a tenancy in November 2018 and was given his tenancy in May the following year.
Gary, who lives in the east end of Glasgow, said: “When I applied for a tenancy with Thenue Housing I wasn’t aware just how thorough the process was.
"But on reflection I can understand why a housing association has to be sure you can keep your home.
“I was delighted to be offered my own flat and feel it is a real step in the right direction for me having overcome some challenges in my life.
“I have been there now for over two years and love it but I also know that if there was ever a situation where my circumstances changed, the association is only a phone call away.
“I totally understand why a landlord needs to prepare the ground work so carefully before letting a property.
“I think housing associations do a brilliant job and having somewhere I can call home has been a landmark achievement for me.”
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