Private sector rent statistics: 2010 - 2019
This publication presents statistics on private sector rent levels in Scotland over the years 2010 to 2019.
Main Findings for 2 Bedroom Properties
From 2018 to 2019, 15 out of 18 areas have seen increases in average rents for 2 bedroom properties. These ranged from 0.2% in North Lanarkshire to 5.3% in Greater Glasgow. The areas which showed decreases in average rents for 2 bedroom properties between 2018 and 2019 were Aberdeen and Shire (-0.3%), The Ayrshires (-0.7%) and East Dunbartonshire (-1.0%).This is the fifth 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 2018 and 2019 for 2 bedroom properties, at the Scotland level, from £652 to £668. This compares to an increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 1.7% in the year to Sept-19.
Over the 9 year period from 2010 to 2019, 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 £972, or 46.3% (cumulative increase over 9 years). Average rents in the Greater Glasgow area have risen by a cumulative 38.3% over the last 9 years (from £564 to £780). For the remaining areas of Scotland, cumulative increases over the last 9 years have ranged from 1.4% in Aberdeen and Shire to 22.1% in Fife.
These regional trends combine to show a 24.6% cumulative increase in average rents from 2010 to 2019 for 2 bedroom properties at the Scotland level, from £536 to £668.
Figures on changes to rents over the period from 2010 to 2019 should be considered in the context of the cumulative increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 20.8% from Sept-10 to Sept-19. Over the 9 year period, average rents for 2 bedroom properties in the Fife, 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 2019 (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 2019, by Broad Rental Market Area
| 2010 | 2018 | 2019 | 2010 to 2019 change | 2018 to 2019 change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lothian | 665 | 946 | 972 | 46.3% | 2.8% |
| Greater Glasgow | 564 | 740 | 780 | 38.3% | 5.3% |
| Scotland | 536 | 652 | 668 | 24.6% | 2.4% |
| Fife | 464 | 548 | 567 | 22.1% | 3.4% |
| Forth Valley | 492 | 589 | 596 | 21.0% | 1.2% |
| West Lothian | 527 | 609 | 630 | 19.4% | 3.4% |
| Highland and Islands | 503 | 583 | 601 | 19.4% | 3.1% |
| Dundee and Angus | 497 | 562 | 582 | 17.0% | 3.6% |
| East Dunbartonshire | 581 | 684 | 677 | 16.5% | -1.0% |
| Perth and Kinross | 506 | 551 | 564 | 11.3% | 2.4% |
| Scottish Borders | 442 | 478 | 490 | 11.0% | 2.6% |
| South Lanarkshire | 481 | 526 | 533 | 11.0% | 1.4% |
| Argyll and Bute | 503 | 536 | 557 | 10.8% | 3.9% |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 435 | 461 | 476 | 9.3% | 3.0% |
| Renfrewshire / Inverclyde | 473 | 508 | 513 | 8.4% | 1.0% |
| North Lanarkshire | 455 | 487 | 488 | 7.3% | 0.2% |
| West Dunbartonshire | 492 | 503 | 509 | 3.4% | 1.1% |
| Ayrshires | 464 | 475 | 471 | 1.5% | -0.7% |
| Aberdeen and Shire | 643 | 654 | 652 | 1.4% | -0.3% |
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 2019, Lothian had the highest average monthly rents for 2 bedroom properties across Scotland (£972). Other areas with higher than average (£668) rents included Greater Glasgow (£780) and East Dunbartonshire (£677). Areas with the lowest average rents for 2 bedroom properties were and the Scottish Borders (£490), North Lanarkshire (£488), and The Ayrshires (£471). See Chart 5 below.
Chart 5 Average (mean) Monthly Rents 2019 (year to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 2-Bedroom Properties
Contact
Email: felix.palin@gov.scot
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