Rents in Edinburgh have reached a record high as the Scottish capital re-enters the top 50 most expensive cities in Europe, according to the latest housing report by global mobility expert, ECA International (ECA).
The average cost of a three-bedroom home in Edinburgh has risen by £101 per month, up to £1,529, the highest in over four years.
Climbing seven places in the European rankings, Edinburgh is now the 45th most expensive location for expat rental accommodation.
ECA’s annual rental accommodation report analyses the rental prices for an unfurnished, mid-market, three-bedroom home in areas commonly inhabited by expatriates.
“Changes in Scottish legislation over the past few years have affected the supply of rental accommodation in Edinburgh while demand remains strong. Tax increases on the purchase of second homes have driven up landlords’ costs, while the phasing out of shorthold assured tenancies means many landlords have increased rents to cover the perceived greater risks in renting out their properties,” said Alec Smith, Accommodation Services Manager, ECA International.
Although London remains the most expensive place for rental accommodation in the British Isles, Edinburgh has leaped 19 places to 163rd in the global rankings, ahead of other major UK cities including Belfast (205th), Cardiff (208th) and Aberdeen (209th).
Robust economy throughout the UK
Although rental costs decreased in central London (zone one) this year, rent in outer London remained stable – making it the most expensive city in Europe for rental accommodation, averaging USD 7,189 (£5,187) per month.
The jobs market is relatively buoyant in the UK which has caused a general increase in demand for rental accommodation in some of the UK’s major cities. Manchester continues to have the most expensive rental accommodation in the UK outside of London and has re-entered the top 120 most expensive in the world (119th) this year. Ranking 30th in Europe, average rent in Manchester for a three-bedroom home is now USD 2,555 (£1,844) per month, £54 more expensive than last year. Birmingham has seen the largest rental cost increase in the UK at a staggering £110 per month, and is the 36th most expensive city in Europe to rent in.
“Central Manchester has seen a large population growth in recent years and is now widely considered the second most important city in the UK economically. Numerous companies have relocated to the city, fuelling demand for rented accommodation, particularly in central areas,” explained Alec Smith, Accommodation Services Manager at ECA International.
Other than Central London, Aberdeen is the only UK city to see a decline in rental costs, dropping by £190 per month, however Glasgow remains the cheapest city in the UK to rent a three-bedroom home, costing on average USD (£1,050) per month, £794 less than in Manchester.
Most expensive cities to rent in the UK
Top 20 most expensive cities to rent in Europe
Dublin rent enters top five most expensive in Europe
Dublin is now the 26th most expensive city in the world and fifth most expensive in Europe to rent a three-bedroom, unfurnished home. The Irish capital has risen by a staggering 35 places since last year’s report by ECA. It reveals the average rental price in Dublin has risen to USD 4191 (€3,406pm) an increase of €277.
Smith said: “The past 10 years have seen a significant turnaround in the fortunes of Dublin’s residential rental market. The global financial crisis exposed a property bubble in the Irish capital and rents have increased significantly with each subsequent year of recovery.
“The cost of renting has also been affected by elevated demand from international companies relocating staff while looking to take advantage of Ireland’s low corporate tax rate.”
Rents rise across the Eurozone
Rental costs across Europe rose significantly through 2018, due in part to the strength of the Euro. Whilst Dublin saw the biggest rises in expatriate rental costs in Europe, major cities such as Madrid, Rome, Paris and Barcelona all saw increases over €120 a month.
In Spain, Madrid saw the average expatriate rent rise by €240 to €2299, whilst in Barcelona rent increased by €202 to €2049.
Smith said “Madrid and Barcelona have reversed years of falling rents that followed in the wake of the global financial crisis. Their markets are flooded with renters, both from the local young professional population, and international assignees. Property purchase is now out of reach of the majority of city residents, keeping competition for tenancies high.”
Meanwhile in Paris, as the city continues to target attracting business due to Brexit, demand remains strong for property in the French capital and expatriate rent has risen to USD 4090 (€3324), an increase of over €126.
Hong Kong most expensive rent in the world
Elsewhere, Hong Kong remains the most expensive location in the world for expatriate rent, with typical expat accommodation averaging USD 10,929 per month. This is an increase of 4.9% from last year.
Smith explained: “Rents increased across Hong Kong during 2018 with limited availability, a long-term issue for the Hong Kong housing market, being the main driver. Rent increases are not just limited to central Hong Kong anymore either, with rents expected to rise throughout outlying neighbourhoods in 2019 too, as international firms seek more affordable office space and try to take advantage of cheaper suburbs.”
Rental accommodation cost in China drops in global ranking
Chinese cities endured a mixed fortune throughout 2018 with major rent increases seen in some locations, but static or decreasing levels of rent in others. Shanghai was the highest placed Chinese city and the eighth most expensive city for expats to rent in globally, averaging USD 5,305 a month.
Smith said: “With a new property tax mooted to be introduced in Shanghai from 2020, many landlords are now choosing to sell their properties rather than continuing to rent them out. This has led to a reduction in the availability of rented accommodation, prompting some rent increases.”
New York retains second spot despite rents dropping
New York remains the second most expensive city in the world for overseas workers to rent in, and by far the most expensive location in the Americas. However, rental costs have dropped by over USD 250 since last year, as demand dropped slightly.
Smith explained “2018 saw the market delivery of a large number of newly constructed rental properties. This eased issues with low vacancy rates that normally apply in New York, leading to some modest decreases in average rents”.
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