Private sector housing rents, Scotland

THE average private sector rent for two-bedroom properties (the most common type of private rented home in Scotland) in East Dunbartonshire increased by four per cent between October 1 2019 and September 30 2020 – according to statistics issued by the Scottish Government.

Say the statistics on private sector rents, five areas (out of 18 across Scotland) saw little change in average prices, compared with the previous year, with annual changes between -0.5 per cent and 0.5 per cent.

East Dunbartonshire’s rent rise was the highest in the country.

Two areas of the 18 areas saw average two-bedroom rents decrease by more than 0.5 per cent: Ayrshire (including East, North and South Ayrshire) (-0.6 per cent) and West Dunbartonshire (-1.3 per cent).

These regional trends combine to show an estimated 1.1 per cent annual increase in average two-bedroom monthly rents across Scotland.

There were also estimated increases in average rents across Scotland for one-bedroom (1.8 per cent), three-bedroom (2.2 per cent), four-bedroom (two per cent) and one-bedroom shared properties (where a room is rented in shared accommodation) (2.5 per cent).

The statistics continue: “Over the longer-term, average rents in Lothian and Greater Glasgow increased above the rate of inflation between 2010 and 2020 across all property sizes, whilst in the Ayrshires, Dumfries and Galloway, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire, average rents rose less than the rate of inflation.

“The annual figures in this publication cover the period from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020. Government measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) were introduced in mid-March, with housing market-related restrictions being eased towards the end of June. Any COVID-related impacts on the figures presented may therefore be limited.”

The 18 areas are: Aberdeen and Shire, Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee and Angus, East Dunbartonshire, Fife, Forth Valley, Greater Glasgow, Highland and Islands, Lothian, North Lanarkshire, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire / Inverclyde, Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian. There are 32 local authorities in Scotland.

Adds a report accompanying a Scottish Government media release announcing the statistics: “For the year to the end of September 2020, Lothian had the highest average monthly rents for two-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 two-bedroom properties included Dumfries and Galloway (£476) and the Ayrshires (£469).”

Source: Private sector rents, Scottish Government, here. Published November 24 2020.