‘Huge increases’ in demand for housing advice as cost-of-living rises

Concerns about rent increases are eight times higher than since the start of the pandemic, according to new research.

A report from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has found that demand for housing advice is growing as the cost-of-living crisis intensifies.

The data found that people accessing online advice pages is now eight times higher than since the start of the pandemic, with page views increasing by 48% in March alone.

Demand for advice around utility bills – such as energy – is now higher by five percent compared to three percent before the pandemic.

Aoife Deery, Citizens Advice Scotland Social Justice spokesperson, said: “This data for March 2022 shows that even before the impact of the energy price cap increase in April demand was growing for advice around the cost of living.

“A growing concern has to be housing – we’ve seen huge increases in demand for page views landlords increasing rent in March alone.

“Across the CAB network itself, demand for housing related advice is now higher than it was before the pandemic.

“It’s clear that people are struggling, and we need to see action from policy makers to ease the squeeze the cost-of-living crisis is putting on people.

“The CAB network is also here for people. Our advice is free, impartial, and confidential and is for everyone.

“CABs can deliver life changing results for people, Last year we unlocked £147million with the average client financial gain being over £4,400. We don’t judge, we just help.”