Sourcing your first student flat

Now that we’re into January, many of you will be thinking about renting a flat during your second year at university. Student properties get snapped up quickly in Edinburgh so it’s better to start early than panic with only a couple of months to go before you move out of student accommodation.

If this is your first rental property, you may be wondering where to start. Here, we’ve created a handy guide to help you with your search:

Where do you want to live?

The first thing to do is research the different areas in Edinburgh and decide where you would like to live. For example, if you want to live near the University of Edinburgh you might decide to look at properties in Newington and those areas with direct and convenient transport links. Discuss with your flatmates and decide on which areas to narrow your search to. Whilst some people might prefer to live near the bustling Old Town, others might prefer the charm and character of Leith.

Decide on the type of flat you want

There are many factors to consider when deciding on your rental property. How many people you want to live with will determine how many bedrooms you need and therefore how large the property will need to be. Do you want to live in a traditional tenement? Or, maybe you prefer something more modern? Before you start searching for your dream home, work out how much you and your flatmates can afford to pay in rent each month. Make sure you take into account the added extras you won’t be used to paying for in student accommodation such as electricity bills and internet.

Research letting agents

Research letting agents to ensure you choose a reputable company. Look for client testimonials and positive Google reviews. Many letting agents will focus on specific areas or types of property, so some might suit your needs more than others. For example, here at Cullen Property, we tend to focus on HMO student properties in close proximity to university campuses, whilst there will be other letting agents who focus on one or two bedroom flats more suited to professionals.

Attend accommodation fairs

It’s likely that your university will have organised an accommodation fair where you can talk to letting agents and find out more about the types of properties they offer, as well as arrange viewings.

We will be attending the University of Edinburgh accommodation fair on Monday 5th February and the Heriot-Watt University accommodation fair on Tuesday 6th February.

Organise and attend viewings

If after attending your university accommodation fair you are still searching for the perfect property, look at letting agents’ websites or online portals such as Citylets to find properties. From there, you can call the letting agent to set up viewings.

Once you’ve viewed the perfect flat, we recommend applying for the property as soon as possible to be in with the best chance of securing it. Then, you can sit back and relax while looking forward to your move-in date!

Our available student properties for 2017 will go live on 1st February – keep an eye out on our social media and website!