THE Number of private rented homes in Glasgow has increased significantly over the last decade.

For several reasons there has been an increase in demand for private rented homes and there have been more properties available with the growth of the amateur landlord as well as professional property developers.

Latest figures show a rise of 10,000 private rented homes in the city up from 37,000 in 2011 to 47,000 in 2017.

It comes at the same time as a decrease in social rented properties of more than 4000 over the same period, mostly due to demolition of unsuitable properties.

However, many homes for rent in Glasgow are ex-council homes sold under Right To Buy.

A three-bedroom ex council lower cottage flat in Knightswood is advertised for rent of £815 per month and two-bedroom ex council flats in the area are between £500 and £600.

With the increase has come a rise in the number of households living in or at risk of poverty in the private sector.

Higher rents than in the social sector, a greater number of people in precarious insecure work, welfare reforms including a benefit cap have put household budgets under pressure.

Private rents in the city have increased by 25% in the last five years.

The average private rent is £763 according to letting agent surveys and even in the cheapest areas average rents are around £450 per month.

While many registered social landlords employ welfare advisers and tenant support staff, the same is not true in the private sector where tenants can face unexpected rent rises and face losing their home if they fall into rent arrears.

Glasgow City Council has set up the Private Sector Support Hub to direct tenants to, particularly families with children to ensure they are able to get help when it is needed.

It has a number of main priorities; to prevent homelessness, improve tenants’ financial position, improve health and wellbeing and ensure safety standards are met.

There are calls to curb private rent rises and a Glasgow Labour MSP, Pauline McNeill, is presenting a Bill at the Scottish Parliament to reform the private rented sector.

Campaign groups like Shelter and tenant activists like Living Rent are also calling for greater protection for tenants to improve standards and reduce the risk of homelessness.

The Private Rented Sector Hub is in direct response to the risks posed to private tenants from welfare reform, unaffordable rent rises and unscrupulous landlords.

SNP councillor, Kenny McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods and Housing, said: “Our PRS Hub provide a unique and invaluable service to families in private rented accommodation, many of whom are facing financial difficulties through no fault of their own.

“While their priority is preventing these families from becoming homeless, the team also gives much more support in order to ensure that people are settled in their homes and can look to the future with much more confidence.

“Their pro-active approach, and a strong working relationship with partner agencies, is a model that other local authorities are looking at closely.”