One in three Scottish renters struggles with rent

Nearly one in three private renters in Scotland has struggled to pay their rent over the past year, research reveals.

According to the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust’s latest tenant survey, 29% had difficulty paying.

However, 35% said their rent was easy to afford.

Pressure on household finances is feeding into spending decisions with 47% of tenants saying they regularly cut back on essentials such as food, heating and clothing to pay rent.

Another 34% reported difficulty covering energy bills.

Pressure in Scotland’s PRS

The trust‘s head of policy, Dr Jennifer Harris, said: “This research shows that affordability pressures in Scotland’s private rented sector remain real and persistent.

“While there has been a slight improvement compared to last year, nearly one in three tenants struggling to pay their rent is not a marginal issue, it is a structural challenge for Scotland’s housing system.

“Many renters are making difficult trade-offs, cutting back on essentials simply to keep a roof over their heads.”

She added: “But the answer to improving affordability is not simple or one-dimensional.

“That means looking carefully at levels of housing supply, considering what more can be done to support tenant incomes, and addressing the wider economic and cost pressures that are driving rent increases in the first place.

“At the same time, it is important to recognise that most tenants feel secure and satisfied in their homes.”

Most haven’t seen rents rise

The survey also found that 59% of tenants haven’t seen a rent rise in the past 12 months, while four in 10 had.

The proportion reached almost half in both Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Finding somewhere to rent in Scotland remains a problem and 73% said they faced big challenges when searching for a property, mirroring last year’s position.

Two in five tenants (40%), said securing an affordable home was the single biggest barrier.

Among those who had moved in the past year, the figure rose to nearly half.

The survey recorded 76% of renters feeling secure in their homes, with 71% satisfied as tenants.

Dissatisfaction levels were lower year on year, falling from 12% in 2024 to 10%.