Hosted by Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) and National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), the event explored housing issues and the local property market and discussed issues the industry faces in the region.

Chaired by Joe Lynam, this discussion was the fifth in a series of events being held across the UK, which bring local stakeholders together to discuss issues such as obstacles to home ownership, the rental market and affordability as well as the importance and feasibility of building new homes.

ARLA and NAEA’s recent Housing 2025 report found that in Scotland, house prices have more than doubled between 2000 and 2016, from £73,717 to £199,807. Over the next ten years, prices in the country are set to increase by another 41 per cent - reaching an average £281,445 by 2025. Currently renters in the Scotland are spending £91.80 per week on rent and this is set to rise by 24 per cent to £114.1 by 2025.

David Mackie (based in Glasgow), president elect, National Association of Estate Agents, said: “Discussions like this are really important to ensure those in the sector work together and share information, as ultimately these are people’s homes we are talking about. It’s a minefield. There are so many challenges facing both policy makers and consumers in terms of providing stability to the market, quality of homes available and ensuring we can build new homes both in terms of skill shortages and planning.”

David Cox, managing director, Association of Residential Letting Agents, said: “Every homeowner, tenant or landlord out there wants to see changes to the housing market. Over the next ten years, the growing gap between supply and demand is set to widen, and what feels like a crisis situation for many is set to get worse – unless we act now. These debates provide an opportunity to consider what would really make a difference to the housing situation at a regional level.”