From today, councils across Scotland have to be notified of any families facing the threat of homelessness through eviction or repossession.

The Homelessness (Scotland) Act 2003 require landlords and creditors to inform the local authority when they take action to recover property or call in a mortgage.

The aim is to prevent homelessness by allowing a council to contact affected households with the offer of appropriate support, including money advice.

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The new legislation applies to landlords in the social and the private rented sector and is unique to Scotland. There is no parallel legislation in England.

It also applies to all creditors offering mortgages, including second-charge and buy to let mortgages, and debt consolidation loans.

Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "This legislation is a helpful tool and will, I hope, act as an early warning system for local authorities to households facing homelessness due to eviction or repossession.

"Prevention makes sense economically and socially and is line with the Government's broader principles of early intervention."

The Scottish Government recently increased the Homeowners Support Fund to £35m and set up a Repossessions Group, which is considering whether legislative protection for those at risk of losing their home requires further strengthening.

(GK/JM)