Private sector rent statistics: 2010 - 2018

This publication presents statistics on private sector rent levels in Scotland over the years 2010 to 2018.


Main Findings for 2 Bedroom Properties

From 2017 to 2018, 15 out of 18 areas have seen increases in average rents for 2 bedroom properties. These ranged from 0.3% in Perth and Kinross to 6.5% in Lothian. Renfrewshire/Inverclyde saw no change in average rent between 2017 and 2018. The areas which showed decreases in average rents for 2 bedroom properties between 2017 and 2018 were Aberdeen and Shire (-4.1%) and Greater Glasgow (-0.6%).This is the fourth consecutive annual decrease for Aberdeen and Shire, which is likely to reflect decreased demand for rental properties following the downturn in the oil industry. See Chart 4 and Table 2 below.

These regional trends combine to show an increase of 1.5% in average rents between 2017 and 2018 for 2 bedroom properties, at the Scotland level, from £643 to £652. This compares to an increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 2.4% in the year to Sept-18.

Over the 8 year period from 2010 to 2018, the Lothian area of the country has seen the highest increase in private rents for 2 bedroom properties, with average monthly rents rising from £665 per month to £946, or 42.3% (cumulative increase over 8 years). Average rents in the Greater Glasgow area have risen by a cumulative 31.3% over the last 8 years (from £564 to £740).

For the remaining areas of Scotland, cumulative increases over the last 8 years have ranged from 1.7% in Aberdeen and Shire to 19.5% in Forth Valley.

These regional trends combine to show a 21.6% cumulative increase in average rents from 2010 to 2018 for 2 bedroom properties at the Scotland level, from £536 to £652.

Figures on changes to rents over the period from 2010 to 2018 should be considered in the context of the cumulative increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 18.7% from Sept-10 to Sept-18. Over the 8 year period, average rents for 2 bedroom properties in the Forth Valley, Lothian and Greater Glasgow areas have risen faster than the consumer price index, whilst changes in average rents for 2 bedroom properties in other areas of the country have been below the rise in the consumer price index.

Chart 4: Cumulative % Change in Average (mean) Rents from 2010 to 2018 (years to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 2-Bedroom Properties

Chart 4: Cumulative % Change in Average (mean) Rents from 2010 to 2018 (years to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 2-Bedroom Properties

Table 2: 2 Bedroom Properties - Average (mean) Monthly Rents (£): Cumulative Changes 2010 to 2018, by Broad Rental Market Area

2010 2017 2018 2010 to 2018 change 2017 to 2018 change
Lothian 665 888 946 42.3% 6.5%
Greater Glasgow 564 745 740 31.3% -0.6%
Scotland 536 643 652 21.6% 1.5%
Forth Valley 492 563 589 19.5% 4.6%
Fife 464 533 548 18.1% 2.7%
East Dunbartonshire 581 653 684 17.7% 4.6%
Highland and Islands 503 575 583 15.8% 1.3%
West Lothian 527 599 609 15.4% 1.7%
Dundee and Angus 497 555 562 12.9% 1.2%
South Lanarkshire 481 520 526 9.5% 1.2%
Perth and Kinross 506 549 551 8.7% 0.3%
Scottish Borders 442 459 478 8.2% 4.2%
Renfrewshire / Inverclyde 473 508 508 7.3% 0.0%
North Lanarkshire 455 480 487 7.0% 1.3%
Argyll and Bute 503 516 536 6.6% 3.9%
Dumfries and Galloway 435 453 461 6.1% 1.8%
Ayrshires 464 467 475 2.3% 1.8%
West Dunbartonshire 492 496 503 2.3% 1.5%
Aberdeen and Shire 643 682 654 1.7% -4.1%

See Reference Tables (Tables 7 to 15) for a more detailed breakdown of quartile and average rents for each year.

For the year to end-September 2018, Lothian had the highest average monthly rents for 2 bedroom properties across Scotland (£946). Other areas with higher than average (£652) rents included Greater Glasgow (£740), East Dunbartonshire (£684) and Aberdeen and Shire (£654). Areas with the lowest average rents for 2 bedroom properties were Dumfries and Galloway (£461) and The Ayrshires (£475). See Chart 5 below.

Chart 5: Average (mean) Monthly Rents 2018 (year to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 2-Bedroom Properties

Chart 5: Average (mean) Monthly Rents 2018 (year to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 2-Bedroom Properties

Contact

Email: Felix Palin

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