Affordability Pressures Persist in Scotland’s Private Rented Sector

Research from SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust reveals that 29% of private renters in Scotland have found it difficult to pay their rent in the past year. While 35% of tenants reported that their rent was easy to afford, the findings indicate that affordability remains a significant concern for a substantial portion of renters. The survey highlights that many tenants are making tough financial decisions, with 47% regularly cutting back on essentials such as food, heating, and clothing to meet rent payments. Additionally, 34% of respondents reported struggling to cover energy bills, underscoring the broader cost pressures faced by households.

Structural Challenges Highlighted by Policy Experts

Dr Jennifer Harris, head of policy at SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust, emphasised the persistent nature of these affordability issues: “Nearly one in three tenants struggling to pay their rent is not a marginal issue, it is a structural challenge for Scotland’s housing system.” She noted that many renters are forced to make difficult trade-offs just to maintain their housing, which has wider implications for tenant wellbeing and financial stability.

Dr Harris also pointed out that addressing affordability requires a multifaceted approach: “The answer to improving affordability is not simple or one-dimensional. That means looking carefully at levels of housing supply, considering what more can be done to support tenant incomes, and addressing the wider economic and cost pressures that are driving rent increases in the first place.” Despite these challenges, she acknowledged that most tenants still feel secure and satisfied in their homes.

Rent Increases and Tenancy Security

The survey found that 59% of tenants had not experienced a rent increase in the previous 12 months, while 40% had seen their rent rise. Rent increases were most common in Scotland’s major cities, with nearly half of tenants in Edinburgh and Glasgow reporting higher rents. This suggests that while rent rises are not universal, they remain a significant factor in urban areas.

Finding affordable rental accommodation continues to be a major obstacle, with 73% of tenants stating they faced significant challenges when searching for a property. For 40% of respondents, securing an affordable home was the single biggest barrier, rising to nearly half among those who had moved within the last year.

Despite these difficulties, the survey recorded positive indicators of tenant security and satisfaction. Seventy-six percent of renters felt secure in their homes, and 71% expressed satisfaction with their tenancy. Dissatisfaction levels decreased slightly from 12% in 2024 to 10% in the latest survey.

What This Means for Landlords and Letting Agents

The findings underline the ongoing affordability pressures within Scotland’s private rented sector, which landlords and letting agents should consider when managing tenancies and setting rents. Awareness of tenants’ financial challenges may encourage more proactive communication and support, potentially reducing arrears and turnover. Additionally, understanding the structural nature of these issues can inform longer-term strategies around rent setting and property investment, particularly in high-demand urban areas.

Suggested internal link anchors

– private rented sector
– rent affordability
– tenant security
– rent increases
– housing supply
– tenant incomes
– energy bills
– tenancy satisfaction
– rental market challenges
– landlord responsibilities
– tenant wellbeing
– rent arrears

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/