Rent prices for a two-bedroom property in and around Edinburgh have more than doubled since 2010, according to new figures released by the Scottish Government. The average rent in the Lothian area, which includes Edinburgh, has increased by 104% from £665 per month in 2010 to £1,358 this year, with a 14% rise in the past 12 months.
In comparison, Glasgow saw an 82% increase in rent prices, rising from £564 in 2010 to £1,024. However, there was a small drop in average rents in the past year in Glasgow, making it the only area out of 18 studied that did not experience an above-inflation increase.
Overall, Scotland saw a 61% increase in rent prices, with a 6.2% rise between 2023 and 2024. Other types of properties also saw significant increases since 2010, with one-bedroom homes up by 60.7%, three-bedroom homes by 68.7%, and four-bedroom homes nearly doubling at 91%.
These figures have prompted calls from the Scottish Government for “robust” rent controls to be implemented through legislation. Social justice spokeswoman for the Scottish Greens, Maggie Chapman, emphasized the need for affordable housing and the detrimental impact of soaring rents on households.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill, which includes provisions for rent controls, will cap rent increases in designated control zones at the rate of inflation plus 1%, up to a total of 6%. This cap will apply in between tenancies as well as during them. Campaign group Living Rent has highlighted the strain that rent increases are putting on tenants during a cost-of-living crisis.
Ruth Gilbert, a spokeswoman for Living Rent, stressed the importance of implementing rent controls to regulate the profits of landlords and alleviate the financial burden on tenants. The organization called for urgent action from the Scottish Government to address rising rents and provide relief to struggling tenants.
The Scottish Government has been urged to comment on the situation and address the growing concerns surrounding rent prices in Edinburgh and across Scotland. As the housing market continues to face challenges, the need for effective rent control measures becomes increasingly apparent to ensure affordability and fairness for tenants.
