ATTEMPTS to use “social rights” to drive housing improvements in Leith are highlighted in a new report from the Centre for Welfare Reform in Sheffield.

The report, out today, describes how the Scottish Human Rights Commission worked with tenants to survey 180 households to demonstrate the scale of poor housing conditions, including dampness, mould and vermin infestation.

The study, by Paul Hunt, professor of law at the University of Essex explores the potential for using legally binding obligations to challenge poverty and the kind of community neglect widely believed to have contributed to the Grenfell Tower disaster.

The UK signed up voluntarily to international obligations to protect and promote social rights such as the right of every person to truly affordable housing, adequate living standards, a fair health system and food security.

Unlike other countries, it hasn’t done anything to enshrine those rights in domestic law, however – perhaps unsurprising given Theresa May continues to talk about ‘tearing up’ existing human rights laws.

But knowledge of social rights and linked workers rights can still lead to change, Prof Hunt says, pointing to Leith and examples from Belfast and York where they have done so.

The Edinburgh tenants survey also revealed many tenants felt the council was slow to resolve maintenance issues. Using human-rights based indicators, residents approached the council in June last year and developed an action plan with officials.

New kitchens, heating, windows, ventilation and asbestos removal are among the outcomes achieved or planned for later this year and early 2018. Officials and councillors have agreed to use the survey results as a baseline to measure improvements.

“The fact I know that I have a right to a wind-tight, water-tight, mould free house means I don’t have to be scared,” said association treasurer Heather Ford.

The Human Rights Act is almost silent about workers’ and social rights. But the report says thinking about issues like food banks and landlord problems in terms of rights can empower communities and individuals to start to make them real.