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.


5. Main Findings for 3 Bedroom Properties

In the year to end September 2020, average 3 bedroom rents increased above CPI inflation of 0.5% in 10 out of 18 areas, with the largest increases being in Forth Valley (11.6%) and Argyll and Bute (13.2%).

Four areas saw little change (within +/-0.5%) in average rents compared with the previous year, including Aberdeen and Shire, Greater Glasgow, Highland and Islands and Perth and Kinross.

Average rents decreased by more than 0.5% in Dumfries and Galloway (-0.6%), West Lothian (-0.7%), Renfrewshire / Inverclyde (-1.3%) and Dundee and Angus (-1.5%).

Average rents for 3 bedroom properties at the Scotland level have increased by an estimated 2.2% between 2019 and 2020, to reach £844 in 2020. This compares to an increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 0.5% in the year to Sept-20.

Figures on longer term changes to rents for 3 bedroom properties 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, nine areas have seen rent increases above the level of CPI inflation, ranging from an increase of 22.2% in Highland and Islands up to 46.4% in Lothian.

For the remaining nine areas of Scotland, cumulative increases have been below CPI inflation, and have ranged from 6.7% in North Lanarkshire to 19.1% in Aberdeen and Shire.

These regional trends combine to show an estimated 25.3% cumulative increase for 3 bedroom properties between 2010 and 2020, to reach £844 in 2020. See Table 3 and Chart 6 below.

Table 3: 3 Bedroom Properties - Average (mean) monthly rents (£): Cumulative changes 2010 to 2020, by Broad Rental Market Area
2010 2019 2020 2010 to 2020 change 2019 to 2020 change
Lothian 918 1,329 1,344 46.4% 1.1%
Greater Glasgow 728 1,029 1,028 41.2% -0.1%
Forth Valley 643 801 893 39.0% 11.6%
East Dunbartonshire 750 946 976 30.1% 3.2%
Fife 563 714 718 27.5% 0.6%
Scotland* 674 826 844 25.3% 2.2%
West Lothian 616 769 764 24.0% -0.7%
Dundee and Angus 633 795 783 23.8% -1.5%
Scottish Borders 515 616 630 22.4% 2.4%
Highland and Islands 595 726 727 22.2% 0.1%
Aberdeen and Shire 744 889 886 19.1% -0.4%
Perth and Kinross 647 759 762 17.7% 0.4%
Argyll and Bute 638 654 741 16.2% 13.2%
West Dunbartonshire 591 639 674 14.1% 5.5%
South Lanarkshire 627 699 710 13.2% 1.5%
Dumfries and Galloway 500 551 547 9.6% -0.6%
Renfrewshire / Inverclyde 612 666 658 7.6% -1.3%
Ayrshires 556 583 597 7.3% 2.3%
North Lanarkshire 549 569 585 6.7% 2.9%
Chart 6: Lothian, Greater Glasgow and Forth Valley have seen the largest cumulative % rises in average 3 bedroom rents between 2010 and 2020
Cumulative percentage Change in Average (mean) Rents from years to end September 2010 to 2020,  by Broad Rental Market Area for 3-Bedroom Properties

For the year to end-September 2020, Lothian had the highest average monthly rents for 2 bedroom properties across Scotland (£1,344). Areas with the lowest average rents for 2 bedroom properties included North Lanarkshire (£585) and Dumfries and Galloway (£547). See Chart 7 below.

Chart 7: In 2020, Lothian had the highest average monthly 2 bedroom rent (£1,344), with Dumfries and Galloway having the lowest (£547)
Average (mean) Monthly Rents 2020 for year to end-September, by Broad Rental Market Area for 3-Bedroom Properties

Contact

Email: housingstatistics@gov.scot

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