The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has reiterated its welcome for targeted rent controls in the wake of the latest private renting statistics published by the Scottish Government today.

Annie Mauger, director of CIH Scotland, said: “The statistics on private rector rent rates published by the Scottish Government today serve to highlight the wide variation in rental rates across Scotland. The headline statistic showing an average 2.2% increase for a privately rented two bedroom flat over the last year masks more significant increases of up to 6.6% in Greater Glasgow as well as decreases of up to 2.7% in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.”

She added: “With average monthly rents for a two bedroom flat now ranging from £461 to £874, it is easy to see why the Scottish Government has included measures in the new Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill to allow local authorities to apply for targeted rent regulation in areas experiencing significant increases.

“While we recognise the need to ensure that private rent remains affordable for the increasing number of people making their home in the private sector, rent regulation alone will not fix the problem. The simple fact remains that we are not building enough homes in Scotland. As long as demand continues to outstrip supply, affordability will remain an issue across all tenures.”

Private Sector Rent Statistics, Scotland, 2010-2015, were published today and are available by clicking here.