Strain of rent rise

Students, like many others on fixed and low incomes, are feeling the impact of rising living costs. Increases in rents with no corresponding increase in income will do nothing to ease the strain of those struggling with day-to-day finances.

The root cause to rising rents is a shortage in housing supply – not only in major student cities, but across Scotland. This puts pressure on the accommodation available and can leave those in need of cheaper rent options exposed to bad housing and unscrupulous landlords.

To remedy the problem Scotland needs to build more houses – both in the social and private sectors. Only then can the trend of rising rents and the strain on household finances be addressed.

Graeme Brown

Shelter Scotland

South Charlotte Street

Edinburgh