Rents for private houses in the north-east have rocketed faster than anywhere in Scotland.
New statistics show that average rents for all property sizes in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have increased “well above inflation” between 2010 and 2014.
Both local authority areas experienced the highest rise for two bedroom properties in Scotland – the most common size in the private rented sector – up by nearly 40% to £898 a month.
The results have been viewed as a seen as a sign of the region’s buoyant economy, but also of a housing shortage.
It also underlines some of the troubles NHS Grampian has in hiring specialist medical staff as prospective recruits opt to live in other areas where wage packets will go further.
Average private rents in the Lothians have gone up by 17.2% over the past four years, with the average two-bedroom property attracting £779 a month.
Rents in Greater Glasgow were up by 11.1%, with a two-bedrooms property going for £626.
By comparison the average increase in the Highlands was 5.7%, rising to £532 a month for two-bedrooms.
Across Scotland most average rents increased by below the rate of inflation, with some areas seeing rents falling.
Labour housing spokeswoman Mary Fee said the Scottish Government data exposed a “huge mistake” by the SNP when it voted with the Tories to block a cap on rent rises in the Housing (Scotland) Act.
“When the SNP blocked Scottish Labour’s fair rent cap, they ripped off families across Scotland and sided with landlords instead of Scots facing a cost of living crisis,” she said.
Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said the government was working with the house building industry to deliver more new homes.
“This government is committed to making the private rented sector an attractive and affordable housing option for anyone who wishes to live in it,” she said.
“These statistics highlight wide variations in the rate of rent increases, with hotspots in the Lothian area and in Aberdeen, but modest rises, or even falls elsewhere.
“This is clearly good news for those tenants whose rents have risen at or below the rate of inflation, but a real problem for those affected by larger increases in the hotspot areas.”