Private Sector Rent Statistics: 2010 - 2015

This publication presents statistics on private sector rent levels in Scotland over the years 2010 to 2015 (years to end-September) using data from the Rent Service Scotland market evidence database. It presents information on rent levels for different property sizes across each of the 18 broad rental market areas in Scotland. It contains information on average rents as well as rents at the higher and lower end of the market.


Main Findings for 4 Bedroom Properties

TABLE 7: 4 Bedroom Properties - Average (mean) Monthly Rents (£): Cumulative Changes 2010 to 2015, by Broad Rental Market Area

2010 2014 2015 2010 to 2015 change 2014 to 2015 change
Aberdeen and Shire 944 1,565 1,493 58.2% -4.6%
Dundee and Angus 811 961 968 19.3% 0.7%
Renfrewshire / Inverclyde 834 975 977 17.2% 0.2%
Lothian 1,291 1,428 1,511 17.0% 5.8%
Perth and Kinross 858 913 992 15.7% 8.7%
North Lanarkshire 776 792 895 15.3% 13.1%
Ayrshires 758 840 872 15.0% 3.8%
Scotland 959 1,083 1,097 14.4% 1.3%
Fife 773 871 884 14.4% 1.5%
South Lanarkshire 924 977 1,043 12.8% 6.7%
West Lothian 834 889 936 12.2% 5.3%
Greater Glasgow 1,067 1,211 1,189 11.4% -1.8%
East Dunbartonshire 1,135 1,280 1,264 11.4% -1.2%
Highland and Islands 751 762 814 8.4% 6.9%
Scottish Borders 690 727 746 8.2% 2.7%
Forth Valley 857 879 906 5.7% 3.1%
West Dunbartonshire 821 796 862 5.0% 8.3%
Dumfries and Galloway 620 637 647 4.3% 1.6%
Argyll and Bute 924 909 947 2.4% 4.1%

CHART 8: Cumulative % Change in Average (mean) Rents from 2010 to 2015 (years to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 4-Bedroom Properties

CHART 8: Cumulative % Change in Average (mean) Rents from 2010 to 2015 (years to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 4-Bedroom Properties

See Reference Tables (Tables 12 to 17) for a more detailed breakdown of quartile and average rents for each year.

From 2014 to 2015, 15 out of 18 areas have seen increases in rent for 4 bedroom properties. The increases ranged from 13.1% in North Lanarkshire, 8.7% in Perth and Kinross, and 8.3% in West Dunbartonshire, to 0.7% in Dundee and Angus and 0.2% in Renfrewshire/Inverclyde. The 3 areas that saw decreases were Aberdeen and Shire (-4.6%), Greater Glasgow (-1.8%) and East Dunbartonshire (-1.2%).

The regional trends combine to show a 1.3% increase for 4 bedroom properties at the Scotland level.

Over the 2010 to 2015 period, the Aberdeen and Shire area of the country has seen the highest increase in private rents for 4 bedroom properties, with average monthly rents rising by 58.2% (cumulative increase over 5 years). Average rents in Dundee and Angus have risen by 19.3%, whilst average rents in Renfrewshire/Inverclyde have increased by 17.2% and Lothian by 17.0%. Perth and Kinross, North Lanarkshire, and Ayrshires saw similar percentage increases in average rents (15.7%, 15.3%, and 15.0% respectively).

For the remaining areas of Scotland, cumulative increases have ranged from 14.4% (Fife) to 2.4% (Highlands and Islands). No areas of Scotland have seen decreases in average rent for 4 bedroom properties between 2010 and 2015.

These regional trends combine to show a 14.4% cumulative increase from 2010 to 2015 for 4 bedroom properties at the Scotland level.

Figures on changes to rents for 4 bedroom properties over the period from 2010 to 2015 should be considered in the context of the cumulative increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 11.6 % from Sept-10 to Sept-15. For example over the 4 year period, average rents for 4 bedroom properties in ten areas (Aberdeen and Shire, Dundee and Angus, Renfrewshire / Inverclyde, Lothian, Perth and Kinross, North Lanarkshire, Ayrshires, Fife, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian) have risen faster than the consumer price index, whilst changes in average rents for 4 bedroom properties in the other eight areas of the country have been below the rise in the consumer price index.

TABLE 8: Average (mean) monthly rents for 4 Bedroom Properties in 2015 (year to end-Sept)

4 Bedroom Properties £ monthly
Lothian 1,511
Aberdeen and Shire 1,493
East Dunbartonshire 1,264
Greater Glasgow 1,189
Scotland 1,097
South Lanarkshire 1,043
Perth and Kinross 992
Renfrewshire / Inverclyde 977
Dundee and Angus 968
Argyll and Bute 947
West Lothian 936
Forth Valley 906
North Lanarkshire 895
Fife 884
Ayrshires 872
West Dunbartonshire 862
Highland and Islands 814
Scottish Borders 746
Dumfries and Galloway 647

CHART 9: Average (mean) Monthly Rents 2015 (year to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 4-Bedroom Properties

CHART 9: Average (mean) Monthly Rents 2015 (year to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 4-Bedroom Properties

See Reference Tables (Tables 12 to 17) for a more detailed breakdown of quartile and average rents for each year.

For the year to end-September 2015, Lothian had the highest average monthly rents for 4 bedroom properties across Scotland (£1,511). Other areas with higher rents included Aberdeen and Shire (£1,493), East Dunbartonshire (£1,264), and Greater Glasgow (£1,189). Areas with the lowest average rents included Highlands and Islands (£814), Scottish Borders (£746), and Dumfries and Galloway (£647).

Contact

Email: Esther Laird

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