Inverness is suffering a shortage of homes for rent, it was claimed yesterday.
It has been reported that more than a third of rental properties are being snapped up within a week of being advertised – well above the national average. Construction industry representatives said that the situation in the Highland capital reflects the picture across Scotland.
Figures from the 2012 Highland Housing Register reported to the council’s finance, housing and resources committee in August showed that 41% of people registered chose Inverness.
However only 27% of properties – some 515 houses – were let in the city.
The city centre is said to be a particular “hot spot”.
Philip Hogg, chief executive of home building industry body Homes for Scotland, said: “With official figures estimating that Scotland requires 465,000 new homes by 2035 in order to meet housing need, but current build rates pointing to a shortfall of around 160,000 on this figure, Scotland is a country with urgent yet diverse housing needs.”
Grahame Barn, director of the Federation of Master Builders Scotland, said: “Scotland is in the midst of a housing crisis – annually we are building and restoring thousands fewer homes than we need.
“The status quo is unacceptable. Too many families are living in inadequate housing conditions or are struggling to find accommodation.”
Steve Tigar, managing director of online letting agency Lettingweb.com, said: “Renting privately is an increasingly popular choice for people in Inverness – sometimes out of necessity as a result of mortgage restrictions introduced after the banking crisis, but often as a lifestyle choice.”
He added that there was evidence that the supply of rented accommodation did not meet the rising demand.