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 4 Bedroom Properties

From 2018 to 2019, 16 out of 18 areas have seen increases in average rents for 4 bedroom properties. The increases ranged from 0.6% in Lothian to 14.1% in Renfrewshire/Inverclyde, 15.6% in East Dunbartonshire and 16.2% in the West Dunbartonshire. Two areas saw decrease. These were a drop of 3.9% in the North Lanarkshire and a drop of 6.2% in Ayrshires. See Chart 8 and Table 4 below.

The regional trends combine to show a 3.7% increase for 4 bedroom properties from £1,278 in 2018 to £1,325 in 2019 at the Scotland level. This compares to an increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 1.7% in the year to Sept-19.

Over the 2010 to 2019 period, West Dunbartonshire has seen the highest increase in private rents for 4 bedroom properties, with average monthly rents rising by 54.2% (cumulative increase over 9 years). Average rents in Greater Glasgow and Lothian have risen by 51.5% and 47.6%, respectively, over the same time period.

For the other areas of Scotland, cumulative increases have ranged from 4.6% in Argyll and Bute to 45.2% in Renfrewshire/Inverclyde. No areas of Scotland have seen decreases in average rent for 4 bedroom properties between 2010 and 2019.

These regional trends combine to show a 38.2% cumulative increase from £959 in 2010 to £1,325 in 2019 for 4 bedroom properties at the Scotland level.

Figures on changes to rents for 4 bedroom properties 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. For example over the 9 year period, average rents for 4 bedroom properties in 14 out of the 18 areas have risen faster than the consumer price index, whilst changes in average rents for 4 bedroom properties in the other 4 areas of the country have been below the rise in the consumer price index. These can be seen in Chart 8.

Chart 8 Cumulative % Change in Average (mean) Rents from 2010 to 2019 (years to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 4-Bedroom Properties

Chart 8 Cumulative % Change in Average (mean) Rents from 2010 to 2019 (years to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 4-Bedroom Properties

Table 4 - 4 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
West Dunbartonshire 821 1,089 1,266 54.2% 16.2%
Greater Glasgow 1,067 1,527 1,617 51.5% 5.8%
Lothian 1,291 1,894 1,905 47.6% 0.6%
Renfrewshire / Inverclyde 834 1,061 1,210 45.2% 14.1%
Dundee and Angus 811 1,085 1,177 45.1% 8.5%
Scottish Borders 690 942 992 43.8% 5.3%
Fife 773 979 1,092 41.2% 11.6%
Forth Valley 857 1,148 1,207 40.8% 5.1%
Aberdeen and Shire 944 1,249 1,306 38.4% 4.5%
Scotland 959 1,278 1,325 38.2% 3.7%
East Dunbartonshire 1,135 1,344 1,553 36.8% 15.6%
West Lothian 834 1,007 1,055 26.5% 4.8%
South Lanarkshire 924 1,138 1,167 26.3% 2.6%
Perth and Kinross 858 993 1,056 23.2% 6.4%
Highland and Islands 751 882 915 21.9% 3.7%
Dumfries and Galloway 620 688 737 18.8% 7.0%
North Lanarkshire 776 926 890 14.7% -3.9%
Ayrshires 758 903 848 11.8% -6.2%
Argyll and Bute 924 945 967 4.6% 2.2%

See Reference Tables (Tables 7 to 14) 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 4 bedroom properties across Scotland (£1,905). Other areas with higher rents included Greater Glasgow (£1,617) and East Dunbartonshire (£1,553). Areas with the lowest average rents included Dumfries and Galloway (£737), Ayrshires (£848), and North Lanarkshire (£890). See Chart 9 below.

Chart 9 Average (mean) Monthly Rents 2019 (year to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 4-Bedroom Properties

Chart 9 Average (mean) Monthly Rents 2019 (year to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 4-Bedroom Properties

Contact

Email: felix.palin@gov.scot

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