Steep difference in flat rents highlighted

25/06/2010

The Park Circus area of Glasgow – where a two-bedroom property costs an average of £1,104 a month – is the most expensive, while Johnstone, Renfrewshire, is the cheapest with an average rent of £421.

Central Aberdeen and the West End and the New Town of Edinburgh are also among the most popular places – with two-bedroom properties costing more than £1,009 on average.

Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Bo’ness were among the cheapest areas, with two-bedroom flats available to rent for less than £500 a month.

David Alexander, owner of DJ Alexander rental and estate agents, said it was no surprise to find that the Park area of Glasgow was the most popular.

“I would totally agree the Park area is No 1,” he said. “These Georgian townhouses were originally houses which were turned into offices and then into flats. Whenever these are up for rent, they just run out of the door.

“In areas that are not as popular you get more for your money. In Glasgow rents can go from £2,000 in the Park area to £400 in one of the suburbs, so there is a huge difference.”

Mr Alexander said there was currently a bit of a boom at the top end of the rental market. “We have just rented a New Town penthouse for £4,000 and a three-bedroom townhouse for £3,500. There seems to be a great demand at the moment in the prime market.”

THE SCOTSMAN, 25 June 2010