Your Move Scotland has reported that the rental market north of the border remains in good shape, with the average rent the same as a year ago.

Rents fell marginally – by 0.1% – compared to August 2017, leaving the average rent at £572 (seasonally adjusted). On a non-seasonally adjusted basis the average rent this month was £573.

However, there was some disparity between regions, with some posting strong growth while others showed a modest decline in rents.

While the overall Scottish rental market was flat compared to a year ago, there were several successes this month, Your Move Scotland found.

Three of the five Scottish regions posted rent rises in the last 12 months – the Highlands and Islands, Glasgow and Clyde, and Edinburgh and Lothians regions.

Highlands and Islands was the biggest gainer, with average rents growing by 13.3% in the year to August. This left the average rent in the region at £684.

This now makes it the most expensive place to rent in all of Scotland, overtaking the Edinburgh and Lothians region.

There, the average rent grew more modestly, rising by 2.4% in the last year. The average rent in the capital and surrounding area now stands at £682.

The third region to post a rise was the Glasgow and Clyde area, where tenants saw their rents rise by 9.5% in the last 12 months to reach £602.

Rents in the South of Scotland fell by 4.1% in the last year, dropping to £542, while in the East property prices dropped by 2.4% to hit £527. The East was once again the cheapest region to rent a property in Scotland.

When all areas are considered, the average rent fell by 0.1%, reflecting these variations between regions. On a seasonally adjusted basis the average rent in Scotland was £572 this month. The non-seasonally adjusted basis this figure was £573.