Back to the Past:

A Scotland Market Report

The Scottish private rented sector (PRS) has continued its transition towards a more balanced market, with supply and demand dynamics now broadly reflecting the patterns seen prior to the market disruption of the early 2020s.

Rental growth across Scotland’s largest urban centres – Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen – remains modest, typically ranging between 0% and 2% year-on-year. This has helped maintain a stable national growth rate of around 2.5%, signalling a period of greater consistency for both landlords and tenants.

Looking ahead, demand is expected to remain resilient. Hopes of a more rapid improvement in mortgage affordability have given way to a higher-for-longer interest rate environment, extending the path to homeownership for many would-be buyers. As a result, renters seeking to make the transition onto the property ladder are likely to remain in the rental market for longer, supporting occupancy levels and reinforcing the sector’s underlying demand fundamentals in the months ahead.

Northwood North East Operations Director Matt Pullinger said: “The North-east rental market remained strong throughout Q3 2026 with demand continuing to outstrip the supply of available homes. Stock levels have reduced across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire which, combined with sustained tenant demand, is placing further upward pressure on rental values.

“Family homes remain particularly sought after with well-presented three- and four-bedroom properties attracting strong interest soon after coming to market. Demand for rural and more energy-efficient homes has also continued as tenants increasingly balance location and lifestyle with the ongoing cost of running a home.

“With fewer properties available, affordability and choice will be important factors to watch as we move into the final quarter.”