Market stability since rent controls end – latest Scottish data
Summary
Latest Scottish rental market data indicates continued stability, with Scotland’s three largest cities showing almost no annual rent movement and national rental growth recorded at -0.2% in Q2 2026. The article suggests this calm is likely to persist into 2027, while local authority market assessments will need to account carefully for distortions caused by the 2020-24 rent control period and emergency legislation.
Why it matters
Residential surveyors involved in valuation, rental evidence, or market reporting in Scotland may need to interpret recent rent data cautiously because the dataset spans a period affected by rent controls and exceptional market conditions. The findings also inform expectations for local authority assessments and wider rental market assumptions.
Key points
- Scotland’s private rented sector remains broadly stable with minimal rent movement.
- The three largest Scottish cities saw almost no rent change over the past year.
- National annual rental growth was -0.2% in Q2 2026.
- Local authority market assessments should account for anomalies from 2020-24 rent controls and emergency legislation.
- Citylets expects subdued conditions to continue, with inflation and interest-rate risks noted.
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