Soaring rent in Glasgow has left the cost of an average property over £600 a month more expensive than social housing, a report has revealed.
Rent for social housing in Glasgow now stands at about £394 a month, while a private let has soared to an average of £1,015 according to council research.
With social housing much cheaper, latest figures estimate 64,000 people have been registered as waiting for the accommodation in the city.
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Rent for private flats has jumped by 73 per cent since 2011 according to data presented in a council paper.
Speaking at a council meeting, Councillor Ann Jenkins, Labour, questioned whether private sector high rents is “contributing to poverty” despite landlords offering flexibility in accommodation options.
A council official said the government have been trying to improve the security of people living in the private rented sector.
The officer told yesterday’s economy, housing, transport and regeneration city policy committee, “good” work is also being undertaken within the council to give support to people renting privately who are in a “vulnerable” housing situation.
A paper presented to the committee said “demand for private rented sector accommodation is increasing in Glasgow.”
There is more need for student housing with the number of students increasing by 41 per cent from 2015 to 2022.
Councillor Jenkins said registered social landlords are doing a “really good job” and said it is useful to understand the pressures on housing associations and support them to maintain stock and keep rents affordable.
The officer said he acknowledges and agrees with her points and explained that the council works closely with housing associations.
SNP Councillor Eva Bolander called for more social housing within the city and a lot more in the city centre.
The meeting heard there are plans for social housing rents to rise on average by about six per cent after a previous freeze introduced by the government in response to the cost of living crisis.
The paper presented to the committee discussed the impact of the government’s Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 and the implications for people renting in the city.
Changes to the act mean that from 1 April 2023 there is a three per cent cap on private rent increases.
Councillor Anthony Carroll, Scottish Greens, voiced concern about how there is a “loophole” as the rent cap applies for leases in place. He pointed out the measure isn’t as effective for students who get new tenancies due to the academic year as landlords can set a different rent for a new lease.
He said rent for a two-bedroom in Dennistoun has gone from £750 to £1000 a month.
A council officer said a “new let can be charged at a rate which the landlord chooses to do” and he said the local authority has been monitoring the situation.
He said the council will work with the Scottish Government to ensure options are investigated to bring in in more protection measures for people renting in the private sector.
A working group is to be established, which includes universities and the council to look at options to increase the supply of student homes in Glasgow.
Students are also to be represented after Councillor Carroll made a request for their involvement.
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