Overview of key data sources: Scottish House Condition Survey

Organisation Responsible: Scottish Government

Background and purpose: The Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) is the single largest 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 aims of the survey are as follows:

• to monitor the physical quality of Scotland's housing stock at a national level over time;
• to contribute to an understanding of the factors which influence the physical condition of the housing stock;
• to provide a benchmark against which outputs from local surveys can be measured;
• to supplement the system of resource allocation within the Scottish Government;
• to explore relationships between investment and stock condition, both at a local and national level;
• to provide information for policy development in all areas of housing and community regeneration.

Survey years / frequency: The survey was previously conducted every 5 or 6 years with sweeps in 1991, 1996 and 2002. In 2003, the survey moved to a format of continuous fieldwork (January to December of each year) with key estimates reported annually.

Survey content: The SHCS consists of two parts: a social interview (conducted with the Highest Income Householder or his/her spouse/partner) and a subsequent physical inspection carried out by a trained building professional. The social interview covers a range of topics, including household composition; tenure, previous moves and intention to move; self-reported health status and respiratory health; work done to the dwelling; heating arrangements, their use and costs; housing costs; satisfaction with the home and the local environment; existing adaptations and the need for others; employment status and income.

The physical inspection focuses on the basic description of the dwelling; the material used in construction; the state of repair of the internal, external and common parts; the remaining life of external and common elements; amenities and services present; heating systems and insulation; whether or not the dwelling complies with the Barrier Free Standard; whether or not the dwelling complies with the Tolerable Standard.

Target population: All types of housing, whether owned or rented, flats and houses, in urban, rural and island locations across the whole of Scotland.

Sample size: Stratified random sample from the Postcode Address File, plus a longitudinal sample from a proportion of those previously surveyed. Prior to 2003, surveys typically consisted of sample sizes of around 15,000 paired social and physical cases. The 2003/4, 2004/5, 2005/6 and 2007 surveys each gathered data from almost 4,000 households and dwellings with paired social and physical data available for around 3,000 of these.

Response rate: In 2007, a full social interview was achieved at 69% of all eligible addresses in the original sample. A full social interview and full physical inspection were achieved in 60% of eligible addresses.

Method of data collection: Interviewers undertake face-to-face Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) interviews with householders. Where consent is given, surveyors conduct a physical inspection of the premises.

Smallest geographical unit reported: Local authority.

Availability of results and further information: Further details on the survey, including annual Key Findings reports, can be obtained from the Scottish Government website Scottish House Condition Survey or by contacting the SHCS Team (Tel: 0131 244 1685, Email: shcs@scotland.gsi.gov.uk).