What was the private rental market in Scotland like in Q2 2025?

The latest Citylets report is now available, highlighting how the private rental sector in Scotland performed during the second quarter of 2025.

In Q2 2025, Scotland’s private rental market moved closer to balance after a stretch where many areas had more available homes than renters. Rents in the main cities mostly stayed flat, and national annual growth slowed to 3.6% - far below the 11.7% seen a year ago, and exactly in line with inflation.

This cooling comes as the Housing (Scotland) Bill moves toward rent controls. Thanks to lobbying from industry groups, any Rent Controlled Area (RCA) would limit annual rent rises to inflation (CPI) plus 1%, capped at 6%. Even so, landlords could see rents rise nearly 48% over 10 years in an RCA if CPI stayed at 3% - roughly matching Edinburgh’s steady gains in the decade before COVID.

For now, Scotland’s rental market remains a free market within and between tenancies, with at least two years before councils must present evidence for RCAs. Slower growth now could make it harder to justify new rent control areas.

Some in the sector worry that the sharp rent spikes in recent years, distorted by emergency legislation, might influence longer-term policy unfairly.

The arrival of Màiri McAllan as Housing Minister has raised hopes for a more cooperative approach between government and landlords. With demand still climbing and supply tightening, there’s pressure for policies based on evidence, not politics. The PRS, with about 340,000 properties, remains crucial to Scotland’s housing supply. Landlords who invest in property quality and energy efficiency are likely to benefit as tenant expectations continue to rise.

In the second quarter of 2025, rental prices across Scotland continued to edge upward, with annual increases remaining in the single-digit range.

Among all property types, three-bedroom homes saw the sharpest yearly rise, with average monthly rents climbing 5.8% to £1,722. Over the past five years, this category has also recorded the largest overall growth, surging by 58.1%.

Letting times continued to lengthen, with the average property now taking 28 days to rent - four days longer than during the same period last year. Even so, 17% of properties were let within a week, and 65% within a month of listing. One-bedroom homes remained the most in demand, taking an average of just 25 days to secure a tenant; 20% were let within a week, and 70% within a month.

The rental market in Edinburgh

Average rents in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s average rent saw a modest increase compared with the same quarter last year. The typical cost of renting in the capital rose 0.4% year-on-year to £1,580. This contrasts sharply with the double-digit jump recorded between Q2 2023 and Q2 2024, suggesting a steadier market and less intense competition for rental homes.

Four-bedroom properties recorded the strongest growth, with rents climbing 2.5% to an average of £2,933, underscoring strong demand from families seeking larger homes in the city.

Interestingly, rental rates on two-bedroom properties saw a slight decrease, falling 0.9% to an average of £1,430.

Time to let in Edinburgh

On average, rental listings in Edinburgh took 27 days to secure a tenant - five days longer than during the same period last year - providing some relief for prospective renters.

One-bedroom homes were the quickest to be let, averaging just 23 days on the market. Of these, 19% found tenants within a week, and 72% were let within a month.

The pace of the overall property market quickened in Edinburgh since Q1 of 2025, as 17% of properties were let within a week and 67% found new tenants within a month. Four-bedroom properties were once again in high demand - 23% were let within a week and 72% were let within a month.

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The rental market in Glasgow

Average rents in Glasgow

The latest data from Citylets shows that rental prices in Glasgow have continued to climb, though at a more measured pace than in recent years. In the first quarter of 2025, the city’s average monthly rent reached £1,198 - a modest 1.3% increase compared with the same period last year.

Four-bedroom homes recorded the strongest annual growth, with average rents rising 2.3% to £2,756 per month. This trend mirrors patterns seen in Edinburgh, suggesting a growing demand for larger family homes in Scotland’s two biggest cities.

Smaller properties, however, saw weaker performance. Average rents for one-bedroom homes slipped 0.2% to £880, while two-bedroom properties edged up by just 0.3%. These figures hint at softening demand among young professionals and couples, who typically favour these property types.

Time to let in Glasgow

In line with trends in both Edinburgh and Scotland overall, the average time to let in Glasgow stood at 27 days - one day slower than a year earlier.

The high demand for family homes in Glasgow was reflected in the average time to let, with four-bedroom properties flying off the market in just 20 days, which is three days faster than in 2024. Three-bedroom properties were also snapped up on average three days quicker than the previous year.

Even so, demand remained brisk for many listings: 18% of Glasgow rentals were secured within a week, and 67% were let within a month. One-bedroom properties led the pace, with a quarter renting in under a week, while three-quarters of four-bedroom homes found tenants within a month.

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The rental market in West Lothian

Average rents in West Lothian

In West Lothian, average monthly rents rose by 7.9% compared to Q2 2024, reaching £1,046.

Three-bedroom homes recorded the steepest increase, with rents climbing 10.2% to an average of £1,144 per month. Two-bedroom properties also saw strong growth, rising 7.5% year-on-year to £901. In contrast, one-bedroom rents edged up just 0.7%, reaching £695.

Time to let in West Lothian

On average, properties in West Lothian were let within 26 days - ten days slower than during the same period in 2024. Of these, 12% were rented within a week, while 66% were secured within a month.

One-bedroom properties stood out for speed of letting, averaging just 14 days, despite being three days slower than the previous year. Notably, 10% were let within the first week, and 90% within a month.

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Find out more

Read the full Citylets report.

Search houses and flats to rent in Edinburgh.

ESPC Lettings

If you’re interested in entering the buy-to-let market or are a landlord looking for advice, ESPC Lettings can help. As a letting agent based in Edinburgh, we can assist with all stages of renting out a home, from finding the right property to sourcing tenants to property maintenance.

Get in touch with the team today on landlord@espc.com or 0131 253 2847.