Local MSP Rhoda Grant, Labour has hit out at the rising cost of private rents in the Highlands and Islands.

Over the past 8 years one bedroom properties in Highlands and Islands increased by 13.4% from 2010 to 2018

And over the last year:

• Two bedroom properties by 15.8%, a 1.3% rise
• Three bedroom properties by 19.3%, 2.5%  rise
• Four bedroom properties by 17.5%, a 6.5% rise

Rhoda Grant said:

“I know that working people across the region are struggling to keep up with the rise in private rents and Scotland’s housing crisis is deepening with more people being made homeless.

“Almost half of all people made homeless last year due to rent arrears fell into debt with a private landlord.

 “A Scottish Labour government will cap rent rises with a Mary Barbour law. We will also increase the supply of new homes by building 12,000 new homes for social-rent every year.”