Private sector rent statistics: 2010 - 2018

Broad Rental Market Area Profiles

This section provides profiles for private rents in each of the 18 Broad Rental Market Areas^[7]. The commentary focusses on annual changes and 8 year cumulative changes for average (mean) rents by property sizes, as well as changes over time to the bottom end (lower quartile) and top end (upper quartile) of the rental markets. The commentary does not cover changes to median rents given that these often show similar trends to mean rents, however users may also wish to look at the median figures and trends in the profile tables and charts^[8].

The map on the following page illustrates the different geographical areas covered by each Broad Rental Market Area. It is also possible to search for the Broad Rental Market Area associated with a particular postcode at http://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx. This website provides detailed PDF maps of each area.

The infographic on page 23 illustrates the changes in average rents in each area by property size.

Excel versions of each of the Broad Rental Market Area Profiles along with an online Interactive Excel Workbook, in which different rental measures, Broad Rental Market Areas and property sizes can be selected and compared in the same chart, are both available at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration.

Broad Rental Market Area

Average Private Rent Levels in Scotland, 2010 to 2018

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Aberdeen and Shire

Rents in Aberdeen and Shire showed some mixed trends in the latest year, with decreases in average (mean) rents between 2017 and 2018 for 1 bedroom (-5.6%), 2 bedroom (-4.1%) properties, and 1 bedroom shared properties (-1.2%), but increases for 3 bedroom (2.2%) and 4 bedroom (6.9%) properties, which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. This follows decreases between 2015 and 2017 in average rents across all property size categories, likely to be due to decreased demand for rental properties following the downturn in the oil industry. Average rents in 2018 are still higher than in 2010 except for 1 bedroom properties, for which rents are 11% lower than in 2010. For 3 and 4 bedroom properties, rents in 2018 are 19.0% and 32.4% higher than in 2010 respectively, which is higher than CPI inflation (18.7%) over this period.

For 3 and 4 bedroom properties, greater increases at the top end (upper quartile) than the bottom end (lower quartile) between 2012 and 2014 caused the gap between the top end and bottom ends to widen, although this gap has narrowed in more recent years.

The average 2 bedroom rent in 2018 was £654 per month, close to the Scotland average of £652 which is a reflection of rents in Aberdeen and Shire falling since 2014 while the Scotland average has increased each year over this time period.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Argyll and Bute

Average (mean) rents in Argyll and Bute have increased between 2017 and 2018 for 1 bedroom (1.7%), 2 bedroom (3.9%), 3 bedroom (8.4%) properties, and 1 bedroom shared properties (6.4%), but have fallen for 4 bedroom properties (-3.6%), which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Between 2010 and 2018, average rents have increased for all property sizes, ranging from 1.4% for 1 bedroom shared properties to 10.8% for 3 bedroom properties, , which compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

For 3 bedroom properties, an increase in the higher end of the market (upper quartile) has caused the gap between the top and bottom ends to widen in the latest year, whilst for 4 bedroom properties there has been a decrease in the upper quartile and an increase in the lower quartile in the most recent year, narrowing the gap between top and bottom ends.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and the gap has grown over the years, with the average rent in 2018 being £536 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £643.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Ayrshires

Between 2017 and 2018 average (mean) rents have increased for 1 bedroom (0.1%), 2 bedroom (1.8%), 3 bedroom (3.1%) properties, and 1 bedroom shared properties (6.1%), but have fallen for 4 bedroom properties (-0.4%), which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Between 2010 and 2018, average rents have increased for all property sizes, except 1 bedroom which dropped by 1.3%. The largest increases have been seen for 4 bedroom and 1 bedroom shared properties, with increases of 19.2% and 18.9%, respectively, which have been higher than CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

For 4 bedroom and 2 bedroom properties, an increase in the top end (upper quartile) has widened the gap between bottom end and top end rents in the latest year.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and the gap has grown over the years, with the average rent in 2018 being £475 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Dumfries and Galloway

Average (mean) rents in Dumfries and Galloway between 2017 and 2018 have increased for 1 bedroom (1.4%), 2 bedroom (1.8%), 3 bedroom (3.8%) properties, and 1 bedroom shared properties (1.0%), but have fallen for 4 bedroom properties (-2.0%), which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Between 2010 and 2018 average rents have increased for all property sizes, ranging from 6.1% for both 2 bedroom properties and 1 bedroom shared properties up to 11.0% for 4 bedroom properties. This compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

In the latest year, 4 bedroom properties have seen rents at the bottom end (lower quartile) fall at the same time as the upper end (upper quartile) has increased, widening the gap between the two ends.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and the gap has grown over the years, with the average rent in 2018 being £461 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Dundee and Angus

Average (mean) rents between 2017 and 2018 have increased for 2 bedroom (1.2%), 3 bedroom (4.0%), 4 bedroom (4.0%) properties, and 1 bedroom shared properties (7.4%), but have fallen for 1 bedroom properties (-0.9%), which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Average rents for all property sizes have also increased between 2010 and 2018, with increases ranging from 11.2% for 1 bedroom properties to 33.7% for 4 bedroom properties, which compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

For all property sizes, except 1 bedroom shared, rent increases between 2010 and 2018 have been greater at the top end (upper quartile) than the bottom end (lower quartile), causing the gap between top and bottom ends of the market to widen.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and the gap has widened since 2011 with the average rent in 2018 being £562 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - East Dunbartonshire

Average (mean) rents in East Dunbartonshire have increased for increased for 1 bedroom (6.8%), 2 bedroom (4.6%), and 3 bedroom (1.4%) properties, but have fallen for 4 bedroom properties (-13.4%) and 1 bedroom shared properties (-10.1%), which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Average rents for all property sizes have increased between 2010 and 2018, with increases ranging from 15.4% for 1 bedroom shared properties to 24.8% for 3 bedroom properties, respectively, which compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

For all property types, except 4 bedroom, rents between 2010 and 2018 have increased more at the top end (upper quartile) that at bottom end (lower quartile) of the market, causing a widening gap between the top and bottom end of the market.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been higher than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, although rents have been only slightly higher than the Scotland figures since 2013 onwards, with the average rent in 2018 being £684 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Fife

Average (mean) rents in Fife have increased between 2017 and 2018 for all property sizes. Increases range from between 0.4% for 3 bedroom properties to 7.0% for 1 bedroom shared properties, which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Between 2010 and 2018 average rents have increased across all property sizes, ranging from an increase of 9.1% for 1 bedroom properties to an increase of 37.3% for 1 bedroom shared properties. This compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

For all property types greater increases in the top end (upper quartile) of rents compared to the bottom end (lower quartile) have widened the gap in rents between 2010 and 2018.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and the gap has grown slightly over the years, with the average rent in 2018 being £548 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Forth Valley

Between 2017 and 2018, average (mean) rents in Forth Valley have increased for all property sizes. The increases range from 3.2% for both 1 bedroom properties to 4.8% for 4 bedroom properties, which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Average rents between 2010 and 2018 have also increased for all property sizes. Increases range from 10.6% for 1 bedroom properties to 34.7% for 1 bedroom shared properties, which compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

Across all property sizes, since 2010 there have been greater increases in the top end rents (upper quartile) than the bottom end (lower quartile), resulting in the gap between top and bottom ends of the market widening.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, with the average rent in 2018 being £589 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652. The gap grew between 2011 and 2015, then narrowed between 2016 and 2018.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Greater Glasgow

Average (mean) rents in the Greater Glasgow area have increased for 1 bedroom (4.2%), 3 bedroom (3.6%) and 4 bedroom (0.2%) properties, but have fallen for 2 bedroom properties (-0.6%), and have shown no change for 1 bedroom shared properties, which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Average rents have increased for all properties between 2010 and 2018, with increases ranging from 23.1% for 1 bedroom shared properties to 43.1% for 4 bedroom properties, which compares to CPI inflation of 18.9% across this time period.

For all property sizes there have been greater increases in the top end (upper quartile) of rents between 2010 and 2018, which has widened the gap in rents compared to the bottom end of the market (lower quartile).

Average 2 bedroom rents have been higher than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and the difference has grown between 2014 and 2017, with the average rent in 2018 being £740 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Highland and Islands

Average (mean) rents in the Highlands and Islands have increased for all property sizes between 2017 and 2018, apart from 1 bedroom properties which have remained the same. Increases have ranged from 1.3% for 2 bedroom properties, to 13.4% for 1 bedroom shared properties, which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Average rents have increased for all property sizes between 2010 and 2018, ranging from an increase of 13.4% for 1 bedroom properties to an increase of 29.1% for 1 bedroom shared properties. This compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

For all property sizes there have been greater increases at the top end (upper quartile) than the bottom end (lower quartile) of the market between 2010 and 2018, which has resulted in a widening gap between top and bottom ends of the market.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, with the average rent in 2018 being £583 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652. The gap has grown over the years.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Lothian

Average (mean) rents in the Lothian area have increased for all property sizes between 2017 and 2018, ranging from 3.3% for 1 bedroom properties, to 18.9% for 4 bedroom properties. This compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Average rents have also increased for all property sizes between 2010 and 2018. Increases over this time period ranged from 33.0% for 1 bedroom shared properties to 46.7% for 4 bedroom properties, which compares to CPI inflation of 18.7%.

For all property sizes, since 2010 increases in the top end (upper quartile) of rents have been greater than increases in the bottom end (lower quartile), which has widened the gap in rents.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been higher than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and this difference has grown since 2013, with the average rent in 2018 being £946 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - North Lanarkshire

Between 2017 and 2018, average (mean) rents in North Lanarkshire have increased for 1 bedroom (1.0%), 2 bedroom (1.3%), 3 bedroom (6.7%), and 4 bedroom properties (4.1%), but have fallen for 1 bedroom shared properties (-4.6%), which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Average rents have increased for all property sizes between 2010 and 2018 with the largest increase, 19.3%, being seen for 3 bedroom properties. This compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

For 4 bedroom properties, since 2010 increases in the top end (upper quartile) of rents have been greater than increases in the bottom end (lower quartile), which has widened the gap in rents.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and this gap has widened over the years, with the average rent in 2018 being £487 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Perth and Kinross

Between 2017 and 2018, average (mean) rents in Perth and Kinross have increased for 2 bedroom properties (0.3%) and 1 bedroom shared properties (1.2%), but have fallen for 1 bedroom (-1.5%), 3 bedroom (-4.1%) and 4 bedroom properties (-2.5%), which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Between 2010 and 2018 there have been increases in the average rent for all property sizes, ranging from 8.6% for 1 bedroom properties and 19.0% for 1 bedroom shared properties. This compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

For 3 bedroom properties, between 2010 and 2018 there has been a greater increase in the top end (upper quartile) rents compared to the bottom end (lower quartile), which has caused an increase in the gap between them, although this has narrowed slightly in the latest year..

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and the gap has widened over the years, with the average rent in 2018 being £551 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Renfrewshire / Inverclyde

Between 2017 and 2018, average (mean) rents have increased for 3 bedroom properties (0.8%) and 1 bedroom shared properties (1.5%, but have fallen for 1 bedroom (-0.6%) and 4 bedroom properties (-3.2%), and have remained the same for 2 bedroom properties, which . compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Between 2010 and 2018 average rents increased for all property sizes. Increases have ranged from 2.7% for 1 bedroom properties to 27.2% for 4 bedroom properties, which compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

For 3 bedroom properties, there has been a greater increase in the top end (upper quartile) rents than in the bottom end (lower quartile) since 2010, which has widened the gap in rents.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and the gap has widened over the years, with the average rent in 2018 being £508 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - Scottish Borders

Average (mean) rent in the Scottish Borders increased for all property sizes between 2017 and 2018. Increases ranged from 3.5%, for 1 bedroom properties up to 25.6% for 4 bedroom properties, which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Average rents have also increased for all property sizes between 2010 and 2018, with increases ranging from 6.2% to 39.7% for 1 bedroom and 1 bedroom shared properties, respectively. This compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

In the latest year, the gap between the top end rents (upper quartile) and the bottom end (lower quartile) has increased for 4 bedroom properties.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and the gap has widened over the years, with the average rent in 2018 being £478 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - South Lanarkshire

Average (mean) rent in South Lanarkshire have increased between 2017 and 2018 for 1 bedroom (1.4%), 2 bedroom (1.2%), 3 bedroom (4.4%), and 4 bedroom properties (3.7%), but have fallen for 1 bedroom shared properties (-9.2%), which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Average rents have increased between 2010 and 2018 for all property sizes, ranging from 3.8% for 1 bedroom properties to 23.1% for 4 bedroom properties. This compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

For 4 bedroom properties, since 2010 increases in the top end (upper quartile) of rents have been greater than increases in the bottom end (lower quartile), which has widened the gap in rents.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, with the average rent in 2018 being £526 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - West Dunbartonshire

Average (mean) rents between 2017 and 2018 have increased for 1 bedroom (1.5%), 2 bedroom (1.5%), 3 bedroom (5.0%), and 4 bedroom properties (22.9%), but have fallen for 1 bedroom shared properties (-5.8%) which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Average rents have increased for all property sizes between 2010 and 2018. Increases ranged from 2.0% for 1 bedroom properties and 32.7% for 4 bedroom properties. This compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

There have been varied changes to the top and bottom ends of the market for each property size between 2010 and 2018. Most property sizes have similar gaps between top and bottom end rents in 2018 compared with 2010, except for 4 bedroom properties for which an increase in the top end (upper quartile) and decrease in the bottom end (lower quartile) in the latest year has widened the gap.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, and the gap has widened over the years, with the average rent in 2018 being £503 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652.

Broad Rental Market Area Profile - West Lothian

Average (mean) rents in West Lothian between 2016 and 2018 have increased across all property sizes. Increases range from 1.7% for 2 bedroom properties to 4.9% for 1 bedroom shared properties, respectively, which compares to CPI inflation of 2.4% across this time period. Average rents have also increased for all property sizes between 2010 and 2018. Increases range from 14.4% (1 bedroom properties) to 24.8% (1 bedroom shared properties), which compares to CPI inflation of 18.7% across this time period.

There have been increases at the top end of the market (upper quartile) for 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties between 2010 and 2018, increasing the gap in rents.

Average 2 bedroom rents have been lower than the Scotland average in each year since 2010, with the average rent in 2018 being £609 per month, compared to the Scotland average of £652. The gap grew slightly between 2010 and 2014, before slightly narrowing again to 2018.