How To Rent An Apartment In Scotland For The First Time [Tenant’s Guide 2024]
So are you someone who is planning to move to Scotland and wondering ‘How To Rent An Apartment In Scotland For The First Time’? If yes, then look no further as I have written a comprehensive guide on the step-by-step renting process in Scotland so that you understand all the different stages you need to go through before you find your dream home.
I have also shared some important tips & tricks based on my personal experience when I moved to Scotland for the first time.
How To Rent An Apartment In Scotland For The First Time
The renting process in Scotland and the UK can be a bit complicated as it involves going through a series of steps before you land the deal. However, the steps involved might differ depending on if you are renting with an agent vs a private Landlord.
My recommendation would be to rent with an agency and I will list out the exact reasons why I think so in the article below. I will also list out the Pros & Cons of renting with an agent vs a landlord.
However, there are multiple factors in play when taking a flat for rent like budget, location, flexibility, privacy, etc and it depends on a case-to-case basis. On a high level, you need to first select the property, then view the property, apply for the property & get the documentation done before you actually move to the property.
I will explain more about each step in the article below so hang on & read through. Each step is very important, so you should understand exactly what needs to be done to successfully land the property.
Notes Before You Start [Renting Starter Guide]
Few important points to consider before you decide to search for a property in Scotland.
| Impt. Pointers | Considerations/Details |
|---|---|
| Location | – Proximity to work, school, hospitals |
| – Access to public transport | |
| – Neighborhood safety | |
| Budget | – Rent affordability |
| – Additional costs (utilities, council tax) | |
| Amenities | – Availability of nearby schools |
| – Access to healthcare facilities | |
| – Proximity to malls and markets | |
| Distance | – Distance to essential services (hospitals, schools) |
| – Commute time to key locations | |
| Websites for Renting | –Zoopla –Rightmove –Citylets –OntheMarket |
Out of the five pointers listed above in the table, I think the location is the single most important factor as everything else will be dependent on it.
Location is the single most important factor as it directly impacts your cost of living in Scotland. So let’s say you are planning to live in Edinburgh, you still need to niche down as to which particular area you would like to live in as staying near the city center can be very expensive as compared to the outskirts.
The same goes for the cities aswell, as staying in Glasgow or Aberdeen might be cheaper than staying in Edinburgh. So pick your options wisely! I can give you a high-level overview of the areas you can stay in Edinburgh Scotland as I currently stay here but the average cost of renting in most other cities will be more or less the same or lower.
Also read: ✅How to Find A Job In Scotland in 2024 [Expert Tips + Guide]
Renting with Agents in Scotland
Agents: There are multiple advantages to renting with an agent vs a landlord but there are some disadvantages too. The best part of renting out with an agent is that you get support if things go south.
Considering you are renting for the first time, there are multiple things that you might not be aware of and multiple issues that you might face as you go forward with your tenancy. So in odd circumstances, you can have someone to bank upon or atleast expect some support.
Advantages of Renting with Property Agents in Scotland:
So here are a few advantages of renting with a property agent:
- Verified Listings: Agents verify the properties and landlords before listing it for their agency, reducing the risk of rental scams that happen very often nowadays. From my experience, I have seen my friends getting scammed when took a house from Facebook Group.
- Ongoing Support: Trust me when I say this, you probably will encounter a situation where you will not know what to do incase of an emergency or electricity outage or you are getting constant bills at your property that you are not supposed to get. In these unseen circumstances, you could always ring up the agency & ask for their input to get the issue sorted.
- Safe Deposit: While paying advance for a property, you will have peace of mind that your money is safe as Scotland has strict laws in place that dictate all tenancy deposits need to be transferred to a tenancy deposit scheme.
4. Paperwork: Another headache is the paperwork handling part where you need to read & sort out the contracts in place. With verified agents, these will taken care by them & you mostly need to review & sign the documents.
5. Expert Knowledge & Guidance: Through their expert market knowledge, they can help you find a property that matches your needs & you don’t have to do the hard work sometimes. Also, they will brief you about the viewing process, application process & price negotiations depending on your needs.
Disadvantages of Renting with Property Agents in Scotland:
Along with the advantages, there are some disadvantages aswell while renting with agents. I have listed a few of them below:
- High Fees or Rent: A downside to renting with agents is that you might have to pay more rent as compared to a private landlord as there is an agency fees involved. So you really have to work hard to find a cheap property because those rent out fast.
- Lack Of Control: You don’t have full control of the house as the agencies may plan for timely maintenance checks, refurbishments, etc and you need to adjust your schedules to accommodate them or the contractors they hire.
- Complicated Process: To finalize a property, the tenants need to go through a series of steps that include booking a viewing in time, viewing the property as per the agent’s timings, sending the application to the agency in time, finishing up the paperwork, etc. These step can be overwhelming at times for tenants who are renting for the first time.
Renting with Private Landlords in Scotland:
As compared to agents, renting with a private landlord can be a bit easier but it again has its own pros & cons.
Advantages of Renting with Private Landlords:
- Low Price or Rent: If you are taking a house or apartment directly from the landlords then you might see a lower rent as the agent fees will not be included.
- Direct communication with Landlord: Compared to agents, you can directly communicate with your landlord & build a good working relationship. You can also point out any issues you are facing & get them resolved promptly with no middleman involved.
- Better Negotiation: You can negotiate a better price based on your contract or duration of stay & get a good long-term deal.
Disadvantages of Renting with Private Landlords:
- Lack Of Commitment: Sometimes you might get a landlord who might not be very helpful in fixing your problems or issues at the property. This might lead you to spend additional money to resolve the problems.
- Poor Contract Terms: Being a first-time home renter, you might not understand the nitty-gritty of the contract & the landlord designs a contract in their favor and binds you for a long period.
- Deductions from Deposit: You might get a deduction from your initial deposit and you might not be able to recover it if your landlord has not deposited the amount in one of the tenancy deposit schemes.
- Existing issues in the Property: There might be some existing issues in the property that you might not be aware of and you will know of them only after start staying. So it’s better to do a thorough check before you give the deposit to the landlord so that you don’t have any regrets later.
- Maintainence: The property might also be poorly maintained which might lead to electrical issues, dampening issues, rusting, rodents and many more. So it is advised to go for a deep cleaning before you move into the house.
Steps to Rent a Property in Scotland For First Timers [Step-by-Step Guide]:
To rent a property in Scotland, you need to go through a series of steps if you are renting through a property agent. I have listed all the steps below for your reference.
Step 1. Visit a Renting or Property Website:
So the first step of the puzzle is to go to a website like Zoopla or Rightmove and put filters according to your budget, location, property type, etc. Once you input your budget and location, the websites will show you the available properties.
As you can see from the screenshot above, I have put filters for Location as Edinburgh, Bedroom as 1 BHK, Price Maximum as 750 pounds & Property type as Flats.
Local Tip: As per my first-hand experience, I felt Zoopla worked better in Scotland for property searches.
Step 2: Applying for viewing on the Agent’s Website
Once you select the property you need to then apply for a viewing on the Agent’s website. You can also call or email the agents but I would recommend going on to the Property Agent’s website like SouthSide Property, Arden, DJ Alexander and apply directly.
Note: Websites like Zoopla, Rightmove, Citylets, etc are just aggregators of all the available properties. You still need to go individually to the property agent’s website to move forward with the process.
Local Tip: If you like a property, book the earliest slot possible with the agent & visit the property as soon as possible. I stay in Edinburgh Scotland & property here is in very high demand. So if you wait for your convenient time to visit, you will most probably lose the deal.
Step 3: Go For Viewing The Property
Assuming you booked the slot on the Agent’s website or directly calling them, be sure to be on time at the property. Expect multiple people at the property at the same time with you. Your aim should be to view the property, verify everything is working fine & clear any doubts or questions you had in your mind with the onsite agent.
Step 4: Apply For The Property
If you like the property, the next step would be to apply for the property with all your details & documentation. Some of the documents that agents request are as follows:
- Duly completed Application Form for the agency.
- Personal details of the tenant(s)
- Confirmation of Employment / Earnings
- Photographic ID
- Credit Check
- Current or Past Landlord Reference
- Current/Previous address details etc
Note: This is just a high-level list and not all agencies will require all the documents as mentioned above. The requirements differ from agency to agency. Please contact your letting agents to confirm what documents would be required to apply for the property.
Local Tip: If you liked the property after viewing, then don’t waste any time sending the documents/application to the agency as other potential tenants might hijack the deal. From my first-hand experience, I had lost multiple properties as I was late sending the application & someone else was selected due to this.
Step 5: Finalizing the Property & depositing Advance:
If your application is accepted by the agency and the landlord, then you will be asked to deposit the advance. Once you deposit the advance the property will be blocked for you & you can move in as per your agreed move-in date.
Renting with a Private Landlord:
You might find private landlord promoting their properties on the websites I listed above but chances are you wont find any.
To rent privately with a landlord you may look at the Website GumTree where you can find many listings. You can also check the different Facebook groups related to the city you are moving in for more listings.
Note: Do not pay any advance amount or deposit to landlords or any other middleman before you view the flat or apartment in person.
Things to Check Before Finalizing the Property:
A lot of things can go wrong, so its important that you properly check the property during your viewing. I am listing below a few things you should ask or check while viewing the property.
- Whether the property is Furnished or Unfurnished
- Fridge Freezer size
- Washing Machine available or not
- Shared Garden or private garden
- Electric Shower or normal shower
- Permit Parking or Private Parking
- Bills Included in the rent or not
- Wooden Floors
- Public Transport Links
- Secure Key Entry
- EPC Rating
- Council Tax Band
- Furniture
- Gas Heating or Central Heating
- Single or Double Glazed Windows
- Wardrobe
- Hot and Cold water systems
Tenant Responsibilities:
As a tenant, you will be expected to follow certain rules & regulations as a part of your tenancy. A few common responsibilities are listed below:
- Ensuring you don’t smoke on the property
- Keeping the premises neat & clean
- Maintaining the existing furniture & appliances
- Not disturbing other neighbors
- keep the Let Property adequately ventilated and heated
- Preventing water pipes from freezing in cold weather;
- Not interfering with door closer mechanisms.
- Prevent damage to walls and decor.
Extending your Tenancy Contract:
If you want to extend your current contract then you need to talk to your agent so that they can facilitate the discussion with the landlord if required. It’s possible that the rent might be increased for the next contract.
Generally in my experience, the rent stay the same for 12 months but landlords or agents can give you 2-3 months of advance notice if they plan to increase the rent. this would allow ample time for you to move out if you are not satisfied with the proposed rent.
Ending your Tenancy Contract:
If you want to end your tenancy, you can give the agent or Landlord 1 month’s notice or whatever is agreed in your contract & end the contract. However, it is expected that you leave the flat or property in the same condition as was received by you.
You are also expected to do a deep cleaning of the whole property before you move out.
Conclusion: How To Rent An Apartment In Scotland For The First Time?
To conclude, I would recommend you go through a reliable property agency to be on the safe side and prevent any fraud. Yes, you will be paying a little bit more rent as compared to private landlords but you will have peace of mind & a hassle-free documentation process.
Additionally, the biggest advantage of renting an apartment through an agency is receiving ongoing support related to maintenance or fixing any future issue that might appear during your stay.
Also, it would be a good idea to check if the agency is a registered company so that you have additional assurance that your money is safe with them & is regulated by the country’s laws.
FAQs
What to look for when renting for the first time?
You should look for the Locks, heating system, Windows (if double glazed or not), Toilet taps, flush, insulation rating, Ventilation & sunlight, Hot & Cold water facilities, etc
Do you need payslips to rent?
Yes, payslips and company offer letters might be needed to prove your employment earnings to ensure you can pay the rent.
What references do landlords want?
You might be asked to provide your previous landlords as references or someone who is staying in the UK. If you are someone new, you can also ask you company to provide a reference letter.
How many months rent upfront?
Generally, you might be asked to pay 1 or 2 months rent in advance. The advance payment might be more depending on your employment status, income & multiple other factors. The advance is generally deposited to a tenancy deposit scheme if you via a registered agencie.
Is it possible to rent without a guarantor?
It depends on the landlord & the agencies. I have seen some exceptions that have been made. It’s best to discuss this with your agency or landlord & see what can be done. Considering you are renting for the first time in the UK or Scotland, you might not have a guarantor.
