Scots rents up 2.8 per cent

Scottish tenants are now paying 2.8 per cent more rent than a year ago, with particularly high increases in the Highlands and Islands region at 5.4 per cent.

Average monthly rent now stands at £549.

Edinburgh and Lothians as well as Glasgow and Clyde regions, where rent levels are among the highest in the country, have seen increases of 1.8 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively.

Commenting on the figures Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, said: “The latest figures on rent levels come as no surprise, and are yet another testimony to the broken state of Scotland’s private rented sector. There seems to be no end to increases to the already sky-high rents in the capital region, but things are now looking worse for more rural areas too.

“More and more people and families who can no longer afford to buy a house have to resort to the private rented sector to find a long-term home. Rents are rising at a faster pace than wages, leaving many people struggling to pay the bills.

“As renting has become more expensive, we’ve also seen a hike in applications for housing benefit, as well as an increase in households living in poverty. This is unacceptable in a 21st century Scotland. The Scottish Government must act now to make sure everyone can afford a roof over their head.”