Almost one third find it difficult to pay rent in Scotland

Almost one third of tenants in Scotland find it difficult to pay rent, according to analysis by SafeDeposits Scotland.

The body’s charitable trust pulled together statistics from a number of sources including the Scottish Household Survey and the census to create a representative sample of 1,000 people in the private rented sector.

According to the analysis, a total of 32% say they find it difficult to pay their rent every month – with 8% reporting it as being very difficult to do so.

That is compared to the same proportion saying it is easy to pay their rent, while 27% say it is neither easy or difficult.

The analysis also found 49% had to regularly cut back on household items to pay their rent.

Jennifer Harris, the head of policy at SafeDeposits Scotland, said: “Affordable homes to rent should be a cornerstone of the sector across Scotland.

“However, our research shows the struggles many tenants continue to face in paying their rent each month.

“Improving affordability will require a comprehensive strategy for the sector. It needs to include ensuring there are enough homes to rent to meet demand, alongside measures to support tenants’ incomes.

“This is especially important for all those tenants who face the prospect of their housing benefit rates being frozen.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “From April 1, protections continue to be in place against rent increases above market rent for most private tenants and we would encourage tenants to make use of their right to a review of a rent increase.

“We know that there is a need for longer term action on rents to ensure a fairer system for tenants – that is why we are taking forward measures in the Housing (Scotland) Bill to support the introduction of longer-term rent control where this is needed.

“This financial year we are investing £7.9 million in discretionary housing payments to support tenants in the private rented sector struggling to meet their housing costs.

“This funding can be used by councils to mitigate against the impact of UK Government welfare cuts, including shortfalls in local housing allowance rates.”

Property industry body Propertymark warned the Government against changes to the rental sector.

“Propertymark has consistently argued against increased property taxes and rent control measures as they have triggered rent rises and halted investment across Scotland,” said Timothy Douglas, the group’s head of policy and campaigns.

“With there being no replacement for temporary rent controls and a return to rent adjudication measures since April 1, there must not be a repeat of rent restrictions that increase costs for tenants in the long-term and contributed towards councils throughout Scotland declaring housing emergencies.

“It is crucial that policymakers learn important lessons and the Scottish Government review all costs and taxes impacting private landlords to encourage investment in rented property, reduce rents and avoid further strain for tenants.”

The figures come as the Scottish Government’s rent control legislation makes its way through Holyrood.

If passed, the Housing (Scotland) Bill would allow councils to declare rent control areas, where cost increases would be capped by inflation plus 1% up to a limit of 6%.

Published: 09/04/2025 by Radio NewsHub