The Scottish private rented sector continues to retain marked stability with minimal rental price movement across major markets as the deadline for the first market assessments by local authorities starts to come in to view.

Scotland’s three largest cities witnessed almost no change in rents over the past year, contributing to a national picture of a 0.2% negative annual growth in the second quarter of 2026. 

A good balance between supply and demand underpins sanguine trends which seem likely to persist towards the May 2027 deadline given the subdued economic outlook.

Commentating on the latest Citylets report covering the period, managing director Thomas Ashdown says: “This sustained period of market calm will be welcomed by both landlords and tenants alike. 

“With the current trajectory likely to continue further into 2026 and beyond, market assessments by local authorities should contain around two years of minimal to negative growth in the data for Scotland’s largest markets.

“It is imperative that the very highest standard of diligence is given to the data to acknowledge and account for the anomalies in the 2020-24 period, caused by a global events and emergency legislation that controlled rents within tenancies. 

“Since returning to full free market status in April 2025, the balance in the country’s main markets have kept rental growth in full check.”

Citylets says events in the Middle East are poised to increase inflation towards end of the year which could see interest rates rise, however the Bank of England is understandably in no rush to further burden households and businesses who, at the turn of the year, were expecting several decreases.