For an October 2026 review, ONS August figures show average private rents of £558 a month across Dumfries and Galloway, up 6.6% over the year. That is regional context, rather than an Annan-only or DG12 measure, and should be used alongside current comparable local lets.
That gap between rapid growth and a low starting point is exactly where the opportunity sits for DG12 landlords right now. Whether you let a flat on Northgate, a family home on Stapleton Road, or a newer build at Silverwalk or Keswick Place, understanding what’s driving this shift – and how to respond to it – can make a real difference to your rental income.
What the data is actually telling us
ONS August 2026 figures put Dumfries and Galloway average private rents at £558 a month, up 6.6% over the year. This compares with Scotland’s 1.1% annual increase, but does not establish the rent for an individual Annan home.
Dig deeper into the Scottish Government’s own private sector rent statistics, and the picture sharpens further. Two-bedroom rents in the region rose 13% to £569 per month in the year to September 2025. For landlords letting mid-sized family homes in Annan – the kind of stock that lines Stapleton Road or sits within the Silverwalk development – that’s a meaningful uplift.
Marketing times vary by property and asking rent. No verified regional dataset supplied here establishes a void period below two weeks, so use recent comparable lettings when planning the next tenancy.
Why Annan specifically is feeling this
Annan sits in a sweet spot. It’s a compact, well-connected town on the Solway coast with solid transport links to both Carlisle and Dumfries. That makes it genuinely attractive to tenants who work across the border or commute into the regional centre.
The town’s rental stock is varied. Northgate flats appeal to single tenants and couples. Stapleton Road draws families needing more space. Newer developments at Silverwalk and Keswick Place attract tenants who want modern finishes and lower running costs.
That variety matters. Demand isn’t concentrated in one type of property – it’s spread across the DG12 market, which gives landlords with different portfolio sizes and property types an equally strong position.
What this means in practical terms for your portfolio
Reviewing your rent at re-let
If a tenancy has ended and you’re re-letting, this is the right moment to benchmark your asking rent against current market rates. Hunters Annan can give you a clear, evidence-based view of where comparable properties are currently letting – so you’re not underpricing in a rising market.
A rental valuation provides an informed estimate based on comparable evidence, rather than a guarantee of the rent a tenant will agree.
Rent increases within an existing tenancy
Private residential tenancies generally apply to new private lets from December 2017; older assured or short assured tenancies have not all automatically converted. For an existing PRT, use the prescribed rent-increase notice, give at least three months’ notice and generally increase rent no more than once in 12 months.
Tenants have the right to refer any proposed increase to Rent Service Scotland if they consider it above the open market rate. This isn’t a reason to avoid reviewing your rent – it’s simply a process to follow correctly.
Dumfries and Galloway is not a rent control area
It’s worth being clear on this. Dumfries and Galloway is not currently a designated rent control area under Scottish legislation. That means there’s no cap on rent increases between tenancies, and increases within a tenancy are subject only to the open market rate test described above.
However, from 1 April 2026, local authorities are required to carry out rent condition assessments for their areas. Reports must be submitted by 31 May 2027. Hunters Annan will keep landlords informed as this process develops and as any findings for the DG12 area emerge.
A regulatory change landlords need to know about
From 6 October 2026, the qualifying residence period for PRT succession rights reduces from 12 months to six months. This means a person living with a tenant for six months or more may have succession rights to the tenancy if the original tenant dies.
If you’re a portfolio landlord or manage multiple properties across DG12, it’s worth reviewing your records and understanding which tenancies this could affect. It’s a relatively technical change, but one that matters in practice.
How to position your DG12 property for the months ahead
Price accurately from the outset
In a market where demand is strong and void periods are short, overpricing can still cost you. Tenants are informed – they’re comparing listings across Annan and the wider DG12 area. Price your property at the right market rate and you’ll let faster, attract stronger applicants, and reduce the risk of a prolonged void.
Consider your longer-term portfolio strategy
Rising rents and low voids make this a positive environment for landlords with existing stock. If you’ve been considering expanding your portfolio in Annan – or consolidating it – the current data supports a clear-eyed review of your position.
Hunters Annan works with landlords across the full spectrum, from those letting a single flat on Northgate to those managing multiple properties across DG12. The advice is the same: use the data, understand the regulations, and make decisions based on evidence.
Keep your property compliant and well-maintained
Scotland’s PRT framework places clear obligations on landlords around property standards, repairs and landlord registration. Staying on top of compliance protects your investment and your tenant relationships – both of which matter in a market where good tenants have options.
The bottom line for Annan landlords
For October 2026, assess your DG12 property using recent comparable lets and the wider Dumfries and Galloway statistics. Regional rent growth does not prove the same increase in every Annan street, and marketing times vary.
That’s a strong foundation. But making the most of it means pricing correctly, following the right processes for rent reviews, and staying ahead of regulatory changes like the October 2026 succession rule update.
Hunters Annan is here to help you do exactly that.
Book a rental valuation with the team at Hunters Annan today and get a clear, current picture of what your property is worth in the DG12 market right now.
Want to talk through your portfolio or ask about a specific property in Annan? Get in touch with the Hunters Annan branch directly – the team is ready to help.
Here to get you there.
