Private Rented Sector Preventing Scotland’s Housing Emergency from Worsening

New analysis of official Scottish Government figures highlights the crucial role that the private rented sector (PRS) in Scotland has played in preventing the country’s housing emergency from becoming far more severe.

Between 1993 and 2023, the number of social housing homes in Scotland fell dramatically by 195,072, while over the same period the PRS grew by 203,706 homes. Since the SNP took office in 2007, the overall increase in social housing has been just 19,737 – rising from 607,191 to 626,928 – whereas the PRS expanded by more than 110,000 homes, from 247,375 to 357,707.

David Alexander, chief executive officer of DJ Alexander Scotland, commented:

“These statistics, published annually by the Scottish Government, highlight the essential role of the private rented sector in maintaining housing supply. Without landlords and property investors, the current housing emergency in Scotland would be far more severe. Rather than being the cause of the housing crisis, the PRS has been critical in preventing the situation from deteriorating further.”

Call for Collaboration Across the Housing Sector

Mr Alexander is urging the Scottish Government to work in partnership with all parts of the housing sector to deliver long-term solutions.

“Social housing remains essential in providing affordable homes, but the private rented sector in Scotlandhas proven to be an invaluable resource in ensuring people have somewhere to live. The only way to resolve the current housing emergency is through collaboration – bringing together housebuilders, private landlords and investors, and the social housing sector – to ensure a varied, flexible, and sufficient supply of homes for the future.

“Any failure to acknowledge the PRS’s contribution risks prolonging the crisis and making Scotland’s housing emergency even worse.”