A third of private tenants in Scotland find it difficult to pay their rent each month, it’s being claimed in new research.
The data shows that 24% find it difficult, with an additional 8% finding it very difficult.
The survey of 1,000 private renters was carried out by the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust, which works to advance education about housing rights and obligations in the private rented sector.
According to the most recent Scottish Government data, 13% of households (330,000) across Scotland now live in the private rented sector.
The SafeDeposits research shows that 49% of tenants say they regularly make cuts to household essentials such as food, heating and clothing in order to pay the rent.
Some 39% said they struggle to afford their utility bills, rising to 57% for those in the Highlands where properties are often unable to access mains gas.
Despite concerns about affordability, the vast majority of tenants – 89% – had not approached Rent Service Scotland and/or the relevant tribunal to contest unreasonable rent increases.
Jennifer Harris, head of policy at SafeDeposits Scotland, comments: “Affordable homes to rent should be a cornerstone of the sector across Scotland. However, our research shows the struggles many tenants continue to face in paying their rent each month.
“Improving affordability will require a comprehensive strategy for the sector. It needs to include ensuring there are enough homes to rent to meet demand, alongside measures to support tenants’ incomes. This is especially important for all those tenants who face the prospect of their housing benefit rates being frozen.”
This is the first wave of the SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust’s Voice of the Tenant Survey, which explores the experiences of people living in the Scottish private rented sector. Around 1,000 tenants were asked various questions related to affordability, tenure security and property conditions.
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Tenants in Scotland have the power to challenge rent increases. Those with Private Residential Tenancies can apply to Rent Service Scotland, while those with older forms of tenancy, such as Assured or Short Assured Tenancies, can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber). The survey asked tenants whether they had ever challenged a rent increase by applying to either of these two bodies. Most tenants (89%) had not contested a rent increase. Only 4% had applied to the First-tier Tribunal and 8% to Rent Service Scotland to challenge an increase in rent.
