Calls for rent controls as Edinburgh and Glasgow subject to rocketing rent rises of more than 40 per cent since 2010
Rents in Scotland’s two largest cities have consistently outpaced inflation despite wages stagnating over the past decade, a new Scottish Government has shown.
The report, which shows that rents continued to rise around 1.1 per cent above inflation year-on-year in Scotland, has led to renewed calls for effective rent control powers for local authorities.
Rent sin Edinburgh and Glasgow for a two-bed prop - erty have skyrocketed by 45.9 and 40.9 per cent respectively since 2010, higher than the cumulative inflation rise of 21.5 per cent.
This had led to rents rising from an average of £665 and £564 for a two-bed property in Edinburgh and Glasgow to £969 and £794 respectively.
These rises are in stark contrast to other areas such as Ayrshire and Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, which have seen rises of just 1 per cent over the past decade.
Scottish Labour’ s equal ities spokesperson P au line McNeil ls aid the statistics showed action was required to
stop sharp rent increases. Ms Mcneill’s Fair Rents Bill, which aims to cap rent increases, was initially dropped due to a lack of time before the 2021 election. However, this decision was reversed by Holyrood’s local government committee with a call for evidence due to close on December 7.
She said: “These statistics have underlined the urgent need to protect tenants all across Scotland from unfair rent hikes.
“It is deeply disturbing that, in the midst of a pandemic, rent prices in several local authorities are continuing to rise well above the rate of inflation.
“The incredibly steep rise in rent charges for one-bedroom properties, particularly in the
Lothians, is a serious cause for concern, as is the dramatic rise in rental charges In the Greater Glasgow area. We cannot have working people unable to afford to live in our two largest cities."
The call for more protection for tenants was echoed by the Scottish Greens, who claimed “fundamental flaws” in existing powers left councils powerless to intervene.
In a research paper released yesterday, Lothians MSP Andy Wightman said the require - ment to collate sufficient evidence to show the need for a Rent Pressure Zone.