Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) is the largest single housing research project in Scotland, and the only national survey to look at the physical condition of Scotland's homes as well as the experiences of householders. The survey started in 1991 and became continuous in 2003-04. From 2012 onwards, the survey was incorporated within the Scottish Household Survey and became one of its modules.

The SHCS consists of an interview with householders and a physical inspection of the dwellings they occupy, which provides a picture of Scotland's occupied housing stock. It covers all types of households and dwellings across the country - whether owned or rented, flats or houses. The physical data about the dwelling is recorded by surveyors trained to collect detailed information on housing characteristics. This is combined with information about the household collected through the face-to-face interview. The result is a unique and powerful dataset for examining the condition and characteristics of Scotland's housing stock alongside the views and experiences of the people living in those dwellings.

Further information about the survey series and links to publications can be found on the Scottish Government's Scottish House Condition Survey web pages.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the 2021 Scottish Household Survey was undertaken using a push-to-telephone/video approach, and the 2021 SHCS physical inspection was undertaken using an external+ approach. No in-home physical surveying was carried out in 2021.  For further details, see section 6 of the document Key Findings from the 2021 SHCS.

Key characteristics of the housing stock; energy efficiency; fuel poverty; and house condition.