01/09/2026
🏡 Edinburgh & Lothians Rental Market Update | September 2026
If you're a landlord or tenant in Edinburgh or the Lothians, here's what's happening in the rental market at the moment.
📈 Rental growth has slowed
The latest figures show that average private rents across the Lothian rental market have increased just 1.4% over the last year, so we're seeing a much more settled market compared with the significant rent increases we've seen over the past few years.
That doesn't mean every property is moving at the same rate, though.
One-bedroom properties have seen a 3.1% increase over the year, while flats and maisonettes have increased by around 2.7%.
So, while the overall market has slowed, there is still plenty of demand for certain types of property and in particular for homes that are well presented and realistically priced.
⚖️ What about rent controls?
Local authorities began carrying out rent assessments from April this year as part of the new Scottish housing legislation.
However, rent control areas have not been introduced in Edinburgh or the Lothians.
The Scottish Government has said that it is unlikely that any rent control areas will be designated before the end of May 2027.
👨👩👧 Another important change for landlords
Since 1 May 2026, landlords and letting agents cannot discriminate against prospective tenants because they have children or because they receive benefits.
There are also further changes coming later this year, including new duties around damp and mould from October.
For landlords, keeping up with the legislation is becoming increasingly important — and it's one of the reasons having a professional managing your property can make life much easier.
📊 What we're seeing locally
From our perspective, the market is becoming more balanced.
Tenants still have plenty of competition for good properties, but landlords need to be realistic when setting the rent. Pricing a property correctly from the start can make a big difference to how quickly it lets.
If you're a landlord in Edinburgh or the Lothians and you're wondering what your property could realistically achieve in today's market, get in touch with us for a chat.