FIGURES from the Scottish Government have revealed Glaswegians are shelling out up to 56% more rent than they were a decade ago.

A Scottish Government report released this week has shown a clear increase in average rents in private rented accommodation across the city.

People living in one bedroom flats have seen their rent increase by 38.3% in a decade. In 2010, tenants could expect to pay on average £437 per month for a one bed property but are now shelling out more than £600.

Those in two-bedroom properties faced a whopping 41% rise. A decade ago, Glaswegians could expect to pay £564 each month but are now parting with an average of £794 a month – a rise of more than £200.

Those in three-bed properties have also seen a 41% rise with average rents rising from £728 per month in 2010 to £1028 this year.

However, it is those living in four-bed properties who have seen the largest increase where tenants have faced an eye-watering 56.2% increase in the last decade. In 2010, a four-bed property in the city would cost on average, £928 per month but residents are now parting with £1667 a month.

Students living in shared flats are also paying 31% more rent than they were 10 years ago.

Glasgow Times:

The figures have prompted strong words from various campaign groups and charities who have called on the Scottish Government to take further action.

Shelter Scotland has called for more social housing to be built in the city.

Alison Watson, director of the housing and homelessness charity, said: “This year, tens of thousands of people have lost jobs and income. But the cost of putting a roof over your head in the private sector is still rising.

“This system is broken and if we don’t act fast to fix it, more and more people are going to struggle to stay in their homes. The rising cost of family homes must not be allowed to push more children into poverty.

“We need to build more social housing so that everyone can have the foundation of a safe, secure and affordable home.”

Tenants union, Living Rent has called on the Scottish Government to take action. It said: “This shows that long-term, the Scottish Government cannot continue to promote the growth of the private rented sector without taking serious action to stem eyewatering rents. What tenants need is for rent levels to be brought down to what is actually affordable, and the only way to do this is to implement proper rent controls across Scotland.”

Political parties across the spectrum have joined the calls for action from the ­government.

Scottish Labour communities and equalities spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: “These statistics have underlined the urgent need to protect tenants all across Scotland from unfair rent hikes.

“Thousands of tenants have now endured over a decade of rising rents.

“This must end. It’s time for the Scottish Parliament to grab the bull by the horns and stand up for tenants by supporting my Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill.”

Glasgow Times:

The Scottish Greens’ Patrick Harvie MSP for Glasgow region said: “It’s clear the Scottish Government’s limited attempts at rent controls are completely unworkable. We need a comprehensive system of rent controls, which councils including Glasgow can apply to suit local circumstances and protect private tenants from eye-watering rent rises.”

Scottish Government Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said:

“We are aware of the economic impact the pandemic is having on many households, which is why we are providing financial support and have strengthened safeguards for private tenants through this crisis.

“I have written to all private rented tenants in Scotland informing them of the support available to them and their rights, including the right to challenge unfair rent increases.

“We have increased our Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) fund, which helps tenants in receipt of benefits, bringing the total from £11 million to £19 million. Next month we will also launch our £10m Tenant Hardship Loan Fund, offering interest-free loans that will help some tenants who are struggling with rent because of changes to their finances during the pandemic.

“We continue to urge the UK Government to cover the average cost of rents through local housing allowance, and to lift the benefit cap to ensure people are supported to stay in their homes.”