Private sector rent statistics: 2010 - 2020

1. Key findings, based on 2 bedroom properties

The most common type of property in the private rented sector is a 2 bedroom property, with nearly half (49 per cent) of all private rented properties in Scotland estimated to be this size^[4]. Findings relating to other sizes of properties can differ to this, and are provided later in this publication.

• In the year to end September 2020, average 2 bedroom rents increased above CPI inflation of 0.5% in 11 out of 18 areas, with the largest increase being 4.0% in East Dunbartonshire. Five areas saw little change in average rents compared with the previous year, with annual changes within +/-0.5%. Average rents decreased by more than 0.5% in the Ayrshires (-0.6%) and West Dunbartonshire (-1.3%).
• These regional trends combine to show an estimated 1.1% increase in average 2 bedroom monthly rents at a Scotland level. This compares to an increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 0.5% in the year to September 2020^[5].
• For the year to end-September 2020, Lothian had the highest average monthly rents for 2 bedroom properties across Scotland (£969). Other areas with high rents included Greater Glasgow (£794) and East Dunbartonshire (£704). Areas with the lowest average rents for 2 bedroom properties included Dumfries and Galloway (£476) and the Ayrshires (£469).
• Figures on changes to rents over the period from 2010 to 2020 should be considered in the context of the cumulative increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 21.5% from Sept-10 to Sept-20. Over the 10 year period from 2010 to 2020, four areas (Lothian, Greater Glasgow, Fife and Forth Valley) have seen rent increases above the level of CPI inflation.
• These regional trends combine to show an estimated 24.4% cumulative increase for average 2 bedroom properties in Scotland between 2010 and 2020, reaching £689 in 2020.

The changes in average rents for 2 bedroom properties between 2019 to 2020, and 2010 to 2020, are illustrated in the maps in Figure A and Figure B, respectively.