Private sector rent statistics: 2010 - 2020

This publication presents statistics on average private sector rent levels in Scotland by Broad Rental Market Area and size of property, for the years 2010 to 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.

Figure A: Change in average (mean) rents for 2 bedroom properties between 2019 and 2020
Change in average mean rents between 2019 and 2020 for 2 bedroom properties
Figure B: Percentage change in average (mean) rents for 2 bedroom properties between 2010 and 2020
Percentage change in average mean rents between 2010 and 2020 for 2 bedroom properties

Contact

Email: housingstatistics@gov.scot

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