Private Sector Rent Statistics, 2021

Statistics on average annual private sector rents to the end of September 2021 have been released today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

Average rents for two bedroom properties, the most common size of private rented home in Scotland, have increased above inflation in 10 out of 18 areas compared with 2020. The largest increases were 7.1% in West Dunbartonshire and 6.8% in the Ayrshires.

Four more areas saw an increase above 0.5% but below inflation, while three areas saw little change in average rents compared with the previous year, with annual changes between 0% and 0.3%. Lothian, where the average rent for two bedroom properties fell by 2.9%, was the only area with a decrease.

These regional trends combine to show an estimated 0.6% annual increase in average two bedroom rents across Scotland.

There were estimated increases in average rents across Scotland for one bedroom (0.6%), two bedroom (0.6%) and four bedroom (1.2%) properties, while average rents for three bedroom properties showed no change and rents for one bedroom shared properties fell by 0.4%.

Over the longer term, average rents in Lothian and Greater Glasgow increased above the rate of inflation between 2010 and 2021 across all property sizes, while in Argyll & Bute and North Lanarkshire average rents rose by less than the rate of inflation across all property sizes.

Background

These statistics refer to the average 12 month UK Consumer Price Index rate of inflation, which was 1.5% across the year to end September 2021.

The full statistical publication includes main findings on rent levels for one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom, four bedroom and one bedroom shared properties. It presents information on rent levels for these property sizes across each of the 18 broad rental market areas in Scotland and contains information on average rents as well as rents at the higher and lower end of the market.

The publication uses data from the Rent Service Scotland market evidence database, which is collected for the purposes of determining annual Local Housing Allowance levels and Local Reference Rent. The rental information contained in the market evidence database is largely based on advertised rents, so it is important to note that the statistics presented in this publication do not represent any rent changes for existing tenants.

Official statistics are produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.