Private sector rent statistics: 2010 - 2020

This publication presents statistics on average private sector rent levels in Scotland by Broad Rental Market Area and size of property, for the years 2010 to 2020.

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1. Key findings, based on 2 bedroom properties

The most common type of property in the private rented sector is a 2 bedroom property, with nearly half (49 per cent) of all private rented properties in Scotland estimated to be this size[4]. Findings relating to other sizes of properties can differ to this, and are provided later in this publication.

  • In the year to end September 2020, average 2 bedroom rents increased above CPI inflation of 0.5% in 11 out of 18 areas, with the largest increase being 4.0% in East Dunbartonshire. Five areas saw little change in average rents compared with the previous year, with annual changes within +/-0.5%. Average rents decreased by more than 0.5% in the Ayrshires (-0.6%) and West Dunbartonshire (-1.3%).
  • These regional trends combine to show an estimated 1.1% increase in average 2 bedroom monthly rents at a Scotland level. This compares to an increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 0.5% in the year to September 2020[5].
  • For the year to end-September 2020, Lothian had the highest average monthly rents for 2 bedroom properties across Scotland (£969). Other areas with high rents included Greater Glasgow (£794) and East Dunbartonshire (£704). Areas with the lowest average rents for 2 bedroom properties included Dumfries and Galloway (£476) and the Ayrshires (£469).
  • Figures on changes to rents over the period from 2010 to 2020 should be considered in the context of the cumulative increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 21.5% from Sept-10 to Sept-20. Over the 10 year period from 2010 to 2020, four areas (Lothian, Greater Glasgow, Fife and Forth Valley) have seen rent increases above the level of CPI inflation.
  • These regional trends combine to show an estimated 24.4% cumulative increase for average 2 bedroom properties in Scotland between 2010 and 2020, reaching £689 in 2020.

The changes in average rents for 2 bedroom properties between 2019 to 2020, and 2010 to 2020, are illustrated in the maps in Figure A and Figure B, respectively.

Figure A: Change in average (mean) rents for 2 bedroom properties between 2019 and 2020
Change in average mean rents between 2019 and 2020 for 2 bedroom properties
Figure B: Percentage change in average (mean) rents for 2 bedroom properties between 2010 and 2020
Percentage change in average mean rents between 2010 and 2020 for 2 bedroom properties

Contact

Email: housingstatistics@gov.scot

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