Tips for securing your student property

Moving out of halls for the first time can be a challenging experience for students, especially in a city like Edinburgh where student accommodation with letting agencies can be competitive. There are several things you should consider before starting your flat-hunt, but we’ve got some advice to make it easier.

 

Finding a property you like in Edinburgh:

Think ahead! Student properties go on the market around February/March/April and most will already have been taken by the time you’ve actually had a chance to breathe after your exams. We’d recommend that you contact us directly as an Edinburgh letting agency to find out what we have available. You can also set up alerts on websites like Citylets, which will let you know whenever a property meets your criteria and will give you contact details for the letting agency which manages it. If in doubt, pop into the Umega Lettings office in Marchmont and speak to our team about what you’re looking for.

How to view properties with letting agencies in Edinburgh:

Most Edinburgh letting agencies will hold open viewings for their student properties. They may even be at fixed times to cope with the demand for viewings in student properties across the city. If you plan on sharing with flatmates, a few of you should attend so you can discuss the property afterwards. If you like the property, get in quickly! It’s best if you have as much information as possible ready so that you can complete the letting agency’s application form. Most will ask for contact details, your address history, student status, and a guarantor. For more information on guarantors, please see our Tenant Information Vault. Any Edinburgh letting agency will also ask for references so have these ready in advance.

Securing a property with Umega Lettings in Edinburgh:

Once you have been accepted by Umega Lettings, you’ll be asked to pay a deposit to secure the property. Try to figure out in advance if you’ll each be paying your share or if one person will be paying and then recovering it from the rest of you. We’ll then arrange an appointment for you all to come into the office to sign a lease. Make sure you read and understand all of the terms before you sign. Most Edinburgh letting agencies will wait until the day you move in to countersign the lease and provide you with a copy.

What to look out for when choosing a property and letting agency in Edinburgh:

You should always look for an Edinburgh letting agency like Umega Lettings, which is registered with bodies like ARLA (Association of Residential Lettings Agents), The Property Ombudsman, Safe Agent, and at least one tenancy deposit scheme. Find out if the property has a HMO licence – this will affect how many of you can share it.