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
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
Contact
Email: Felix Palin
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