One in five people constantly struggles with housing costs and 3% have turned to payday lenders to cover their rent or mortgage in the last year, research has revealed.
According to housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland, 21% said making their mortgage or rent payments is a constant struggle, with as many as 725,000 people in this position.
The charity also found that 3% of people with a rent or mortgage had to use a payday loan to cover it in the past year. Three times that amount (9%) were forced to use an unauthorised overdraft.
Across Scotland it could mean as many as 103,836 people had to turn to a payday lender in the past year just to pay their rent or mortgage, while 310,000 may have gone into the red without prior agreement.
Shelter Scotland is urging anyone struggling with mortgage or rent payments to seek help as soon as possible.
Gordon MacRae, head of communications and policy at the charity, said: "It's shocking to think that so many families will be starting the New Year with a huge weight hanging over them, trapped in a daily struggle to keep their home.
"Payday loans may seem like a quick fix but the huge interest charges mean things can quickly spiral out of control.
"It's vital that anyone having difficulty paying their rent or mortgage gets advice now. Don't wait until things reach breaking point later in the year, it could leave your family's home at risk."
Almost three in five people (57%) struggle to make their rent or mortgage payments either from time to time or constantly, according to the Shelter Scotland survey. Only 38% are keeping up with these payments without any difficulty, while between 3% and 4% are falling behind with their mortgage.
The survey involved 353 people in Scotland and a total of 4,060 across the UK.
