Private sector rent statistics: 2010 - 2016

Main Findings for 3 Bedroom Properties

Between 2015 and 2016, 15 out of 18 areas saw increases in rents. These ranged from 9.8% in Greater Glasgow, 8.7% in Argyll & Bute and 7.0% in Forth Valley, to 1.9% in Ayrshires, 1.6% in Dumfries and Galloway, and 1.3% in Lothian. Three areas saw decreases; these were North Lanarkshire (-0.1%), Renfrewshire / Inverclyde (-0.5%), and Aberdeen and Shire (-13.3%). See Chart 6 and Table 5 below.

These regional trends combine to show an increase of 1.2% in average rents between 2015 and 2016 for 3 bedroom properties, at the Scotland level.

Over the 6 year period from 2010 to 2016, the Greater Glasgow area of the country has seen the greatest increase in private rents for 3 bedroom properties, with average monthly rents rising from £728 to £915, a 25.7% increase (cumulative over 6 years). Average rents in Aberdeen and Shire have risen by 25.1% over the 6 years despite rents falling between 2015 and 2016, whilst average rents in Lothian have increased by 21.1%.

For the remaining areas of Scotland, cumulative increases have ranged from 14.6% (East Dunbartonshire) to 1.5% (South Lanarkshire). West Dunbartonshire saw a decrease in average rents from £591 to £575 (-2.6%).

These regional trends combine to show a 10.9% cumulative increase from 2010 to 2016 for 3 bedroom properties at the Scotland level.

Figures on changes to rents for 3 bedroom properties over the period from 2010 to 2016 should be considered in the context of the cumulative increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 12.6% from Sept-10 to Sept-16. For example over the 6 year period, average rents for 3 bedroom properties in the Greater Glasgow, Aberdeen and Shire, Lothian, East Dunbartonshire and Highland and Islands areas have risen faster than the consumer price index, whilst changes in average rents for 3 bedroom properties in other areas of the country have been below the rise in the consumer price index.

CHART 6: Cumulative % Change in Average (mean) Rents from 2010 to 2016 (years to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 3-Bedroom Properties

TABLE 5: 3 Bedroom Properties - Average (mean) Monthly Rents (£): Cumulative Changes 2010 to 2016, by Broad Rental Market Area

See Reference Tables (Tables 12 to 18) for a more detailed breakdown of quartile and average rents for each year.

For the year to end-September 2016, Lothian had the highest average monthly rents for 3 bedroom properties across Scotland (£1,112). Other areas with higher rents included Aberdeen and Shire (£930), Greater Glasgow (£915), and East Dunbartonshire (£859). Areas with the lowest average rents included North Lanarkshire (£564), Scottish Borders (£546), and Dumfries and Galloway (£514). See Chart 7 and Table 6 below.

CHART 7: Average (mean) Monthly Rents 2016 (year to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 3-Bedroom Properties

TABLE 6: Average (mean) monthly rents for 3 Bedroom Properties in 2016 (year to end-Sept)