One in five people in Scotland fears they will not be able to afford to pay the rent or mortgage during the coming year, new research from Shelter Scotland has revealed.

The research, based on a YouGov survey of more than 4000 British adults (383 Scots), suggests hundreds of thousands of renters and homeowners in Scotland will at some time in 2014 be worried about managing to keep a roof over their heads.

The research also shows 48% of rent or mortgage payers in Scotland struggling or falling behind with payments. Nearly one in seven says they have not opened post for fear it contains a bill or late payment reminder and one in nine (11%) admitted putting it straight in the bin.

Shelter Scotland is warning the combined effect of people struggling to pay their rent or mortgage and a head-in-the-sand approach to bills was putting homes at risk.