Private sector rent statistics: 2010 - 2016

Main Findings for 2 Bedroom Properties

From 2015 to 2016, 17 out of 18 areas have seen increases in rent for 2 bedroom properties. These ranged from 4.6% in West Dunbartonshire, 4.2% in Forth Valley and 4.2% in Greater Glasgow to 0.1% in Dumfries and Galloway. The only area to see a decrease was Aberdeen and Shire (-13.7%). See Chart 4 and Table 3 below.

These regional trends combine to show an increase of 1.0% in average rents between 2015 and 2016 for 2 bedroom properties, at the Scotland level.

Over the 6 year period from 2010 to 2016, 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 £831, or 25.1% (cumulative increase over 6 years). Average rents in the Greater Glasgow area have risen by a cumulative 23.5% over the last 6 years (from £564 to £696), and in Aberdeen and Shire the average rent of £754 in 2016 is 17.4% higher than the average rent of £643 in 2010, despite rents falling between 2015 and 2016.

For the remaining areas of Scotland, cumulative increases over the last 6 years have ranged from 11.4% (Highlands and Islands) to 1.2% (West Dunbartonshire). The only area of the country to see a decrease in average rents between 2010 and 2016 was Ayrshires (-0.2%).

These regional trends combine to show a 14.8% cumulative increase in average rents from 2010 to 2016 for 2 bedroom properties at the Scotland level.

Figures on changes to rents over the period from 2010 to 2016 should be considered in the context of the cumulative increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 12.6% from Sept-10 to Sept-16. For example, over the 6 year period, average rents for 2 bedroom properties in the Lothian, Greater Glasgow and Aberdeen and Shire 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 2016 (years to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 2-Bedroom Properties

TABLE 3: 2 Bedroom Properties - Average (mean) Monthly Rents (£): Cumulative Changes 2010 to 2016, by Broad Rental Market Area

See Reference Tables (Tables 12 to 18) for a more detailed breakdown of quartile and average rents for each year.

For the year to end-September 2016, Lothian had the highest average monthly rents for 2 bedroom properties across Scotland (£831). Other areas with higher rents included Aberdeen and Shire (£754) Greater Glasgow (£696), and East Dunbartonshire (£636). Areas with the lowest average rents for 2 bedroom properties included Scottish Borders (£452) and Dumfries & Galloway (£447). See Chart 5 and Table 4 below.

CHART 5: Average (mean) Monthly Rents 2016 (year to end-Sept), by Broad Rental Market Area - 2-Bedroom Properties

TABLE 4: Average (mean) monthly rents for 2 Bedroom Properties in 2016 (year to end-Sept)

See Reference Tables (Tables 12 to 18) for a more detailed breakdown of quartile and average rents for each year.