The private rented sector (PRS) has been crucial in providing homes in Scotland over the last 30 years according to a leading lettings agent. 

David Alexander of DJ Alexander Ltd – the largest lettings and estate agency in Scotland – says the most recent statistics detailing Scottish housing by tenure reveals the PRS has been essential in providing homes to replace falling social housing stock. 

Between 1993 and 2023 (the latest period for which there is data) the number of social housing homes in Scotland declined by 195,072 while the PRS increased by 203,706 over the same timescale.

Since the Scottish National Party took power in 2007 there has only been an overall increase of 19,737 social housing homes over the 18-year period rising from 607,191 to 626,928. 

But the PRS increased by 110,331 over the same period rising from 247,375 in 2007 to357,707 in 2023. 

Alexander says it’s clear that without the growth of the private rented sector over the last 18 years the current housing emergency in Scotland would have been substantially worse.

“These statistics, published by the Scottish Government annually, highlight the essential role that the private rented sector has played in maintaining a supply of homes for Scotland. Without landlords and property investors the current housing emergency would be more severe.

“Rather than be the cause of the housing emergency – as some imply – the PRS has actually been essential in preventing the current situation becoming even worse. With the severe decline in the volume of social housing over the last 30 years the number of homes available would have been considerably fewer if the private sector had not intervened.

“This is why it is more important than ever that decision makers should recognise the vital role that the PRS has played and will continue to play in the coming decades if we are to have sufficient homes to house Scots in the future. 

“Social housing has an essential role to play in offering homes for people but equally the private rented sector has shown that it is an invaluable resource in the Scottish housing market. 

“The only way to resolve the current housing emergency is to work with all parts of the housing sector – housebuilders, private landlords and investors, and the social housing sector – to ensure we have as varied, as flexible, and sufficient homes for people in the coming decades. Any failure to do this will result in the current housing emergency continuing for years and potentially getting worse.”