Private Sector Rent Statistics, Scotland, 2010 to 2022

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 around half (49 per cent) of all private rented properties in Scotland estimated to be this size^[5]. Findings relating to other sizes of properties can differ to this, and are provided later in this publication.

• In the year to end September 2022, average 2 bedroom rents increased in 17 out of 18 areas of Scotland. Increases in 7 of these areas were above the average 12 month UK CPI inflation rate of 7.6%, with the largest increase being 10.3% in South Lanarkshire. The average 2 bedroom rent in the Ayrshires decreased by 1.5%.
• These regional trends combine to show an estimated 6.2% increase in average 2 bedroom monthly rents at a Scotland level, which compares to an average increase in UK CPI of 7.6% across the year to September 2022.
• In the year to end September 2022, Lothian had the highest average monthly rents for 2 bedroom properties across Scotland (£1,006). Other areas with high rents included Greater Glasgow (£858) and East Dunbartonshire (£780). Areas with the lowest average rents for 2 bedroom properties included the Ayrshires (£493) and Dumfries and Galloway (£480).
• Figures on changes to rents over the period from 2010 to 2022 should be considered in the context of the cumulative increase in the UK Consumer Price Index of 33.7% from the year to end September 2010 to the year to end September 2022.
• Over the 12 year cumulative period from 2010 to 2022, five areas (Greater Glasgow, Lothian, Forth Valley, Fife and East Dunbartonshire) have seen rent increases above the level of CPI inflation, for 2 bedroom properties.
• Over the same period, 13 areas have seen increases below the level of CPI inflation, with average rents in Aberdeen and Shire just 3.1% higher in 2022 compared to 2010.
• These regional trends combine to show an estimated 32.9% cumulative increase for average 2 bedroom properties in Scotland between 2010 and 2022, reaching £736 in 2022.

The changes in average rents for 2 bedroom properties between 2021 to 2022, and 2010 to 2022, are illustrated in the maps in Figure A and Figure B, respectively.

Figure A shows that when looking at the 2 bedroom property size category between 2021 and 2022, that average rents have increased above CPI inflation of 7.6% in South Lanarkshire (10.3%), Forth Valley (8.7%), North Lanarkshire (8.3%), West Dunbartonshire (8.3%), East Dunbartonshire (8.2%), Dundee and Angus (8.0%), and Greater Glasgow (7.7%).

Average rents have increased but by less than CPI of 7.6% in Lothian (6.9%), Perth and Kinross (6.1%), Renfrewshire / Inverclyde (5.6%), Fife (5.3%), Argyll and Bute (5.0%), Highland and Islands (4.9%), West Lothian (4.7%), Aberdeen and Shire (2.1%), Scottish Borders (1.7%), and Dumfries and Galloway (0.6%). Whilst the average rent for the Ayrshires has decreased by 1.5%.

Figure B shows that when looking at the 2 bedroom property size category between 2010 and 2022, that average rents have increased above CPI inflation of 33.7% in Greater Glasgow (52.3%), Lothian (51.5%), Forth Valley (41.6%), Fife (39.9%), and East Dunbartonshire (34.2%).

Average rents have increased by more than 20% but below CPI inflation of 33.7% in Dundee and Angus (30.3%), South Lanarkshire (27.7%), Highland and Islands (27.6%), West Lothian (27.5%), Perth and Kinross (23.6%), North Lanarkshire (23.1%), and Argyll and Bute (21.6%).

Average rents have increased by less than 20% in the Scottish Borders (18.9%), West Dunbartonshire (18.2%), Renfrewshire / Inverclyde (15.6%), Dumfries and Galloway (10.2%), the Ayrshires (6.1%), and Aberdeen and Shire (3.1%).

Note that figures are based predominantly on advertised rents.

Note that figures are based predominantly on advertised rents.