RENTING IN SCOTLAND (EDINBURGH)

brross

Hi Everyone, just weighing up whether we should buy or rent in Edinburgh before my new job starts in the new year. Firstly, what is the rental market like in Edinburgh? We would need a 4 bed house; what would you say is the average rent for this size property? Also, am I right in understanding that tenancy agreements in Scotland only require 28 days notice should you wish to vacate the property? Any advice/tips would be appreciated.

theartfullodger

Look on Rightmove or Zoopla.

Yes, 28 days

theoretica

For Edinburgh properties for sale, look on ESPC.com

brross

ESPC is nothing I have heard of before??? Are they trustworthy?

theoretica

They are the website most Edinburgh house sales are listed on.  Compare numbers with rightmove etc.

sheramber

ESPC is the Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre.

it is a list of properties being sold  by/through solicitors which is normal practice in Scotland.

Some properties will also be advertised on Rightmove but not all.

Buying IN Scotland is different from England. You need to make any offer through a solicitor .

Sales normally go through quicker as well.  4-6 weeks is quite usual.

zagubov

The country's divided into property areas within which solicitors deal with sales/purchases. More centralised than England in some ways, in other ways more regional/localised.

Chains are rarer, gazumping's difficult, and despite flats being really common, leasehold is so rare most people probably haven't heard of it and mortgage providers won't lend on it.

Edinburgh property's somewhat overpriced for central Scotland. Have you considered living somewhere westward snd commuting in?

brross

Thanks Guys. @ zagubov, I would much prefer to be in Edinburgh so I can cycle to work, and enjoy the city generally. When you say that Edinburgh is overpriced, do you mean the city centre or all over the city?

zagubov

brross said:

Thanks Guys. @ zagubov, I would much prefer to be in Edinburgh so I can cycle to work, and enjoy the city generally. When you say that Edinburgh is overpriced, do you mean the city centre or all over the city?

I can't advise about localities in Edinburgh; I just know that the nearest other cities, (Dundee, Glasgow) provide more value for money. If you don't want to commute that far, hopefully some other posters can chip in and give more up-to-date advice.

letsbetfair

I'm assuming you don't live in Scotland now? If so, I'd rent in Edinburgh before buying, so you can explore what areas you like in/near the city.

Is it a long-term job? As with buying in England, it makes less sense short-term as costs of buying them selling can add up.

Edinburgh is expensive compared to places like Dundee. Some areas nearby Edinburgh are quite a bit cheaper, too. That's not necessarily the same as overpriced, though. If you want to be in Edinburgh and your salary reflects the cost of living in Edinburgh, it could make sense to pay the higher prices in the city.

theoretica

If you are looking centrally in Edinburgh you may find you are looking at flats for 4 beds rather than just houses.  Also check out the Lothian bus routes map for areas you are considering/schools.