News & Blog

Why We’re the Best Edinburgh Letting Agents for Students Searching for Edinburgh letting agents for students? Look no further! As a student embarking on the college or university experience, you have some big choices to make. One of these is where you’ll live while you’re there. The truth is, your choice of accommodation can have a major impact on your enjoyment of student life. Not only should it be safe, secure, and clean, but it should be within close proximity of the main college or uni buildings. For this reason, it makes sense to work with a reputable Edinburgh letting agent for students. At Cairn, we’ve been helping students find suitable accommodation in the city since 1999, building a fantastic reputation for our professional, caring services. Why we’re the best Edinburgh letting agents for students Expert assistance for student tenants Believe it or not, some letting agents in Edinburgh won’t help student tenants. At Cairn, it’s something we specialise in, with our team helping hundreds of students source accommodation every year. There’s nothing we enjoy more than helping students find the perfect place to live whilst studying in this fantastic city. We offer support and assistance every step of the way, from viewing student properties to reporting repairs once you’ve moved in. We provide the link between you and the landlord, with our team working in your best interests throughout the whole tenancy. Edinburgh’s top HMO experts Many students opt to live in an HMO property in Edinburgh. Often, this is a good move, especially as it allows you to split the bills several ways depending on how many people live there. This makes it much more affordable than many other accommodation options. Living in an HMO is also a fantastic way to meet new friends in the city. Of course, not all HMOs are of the same standard. That’s why it’s best to contact us to help you find an HMO that’s fully licensed and regularly inspected. We are HMO specialists in Edinburgh & Glasgow, working with many reputable HMO landlords in the city. Your local letting agent At Cairn, we’re proudly local, with our team committed to serving those living, working, and studying in the city of Edinburgh. You’ll find us on Haymarket Terrace, not far from the main university buildings. Our strong local presence means we’re always on hand to deal with any issues right away. Living away from home for the first time can be daunting, however, you can relax in the knowledge that you have an experienced Edinburgh letting agent on hand to assist you in any way we can. Simply pop into the office and let us know how we can help. We have a first-class knowledge of the city, which means we’re best-placed to help you find the perfect student accommodation. Cairn: Your Edinburgh letting agents Finding the right accommodation in Edinburgh can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time living away from home. Fortunately, Cairn is on hand to help you find the right student let in the city, helping you settle into your new flat in no time at all. Get in touch today to find out more.

Edinburgh, HMO Properties, Student Accommodation

HMO Letting Edinburgh: Everything Students Need to Know

HMO Letting Edinburgh: Everything Students Need to Know Everything you need to know about HMO letting Edinburgh. If you’re looking for a shared student property in Edinburgh, chances are you’ll end up renting a room in a house of multiple occupation (HMO). An HMO is generally a house or flat that is let to three or more people who form more than one household. You’ll share facilities, including a bathroom and a kitchen. Learn more about HMOs in Edinburgh here, or read on to find out everything you need to know about renting an HMO in Edinburgh as a student. A Student’s Guide to HMO Letting Edinburgh Where are the best HMOs in Edinburgh? While you’ll find HMOs peppered throughout the city, some areas are better suited to this type of accommodation than others. Ideally, you should opt for an HMO close to a university and situated near the city centre. We recommend HMOs in Bruntsfield, Marchmont, Morningside, and Newington. Many of these areas are just a short walk away from the main universities as well as popular pubs and clubs. How to find the right HMO in the capital When searching for a flatshare, you should use a reputable agency that specialises in HMO letting in Edinburgh (an agency like Cairn). We only deal with licenced HMOs, helping you find quality accommodation suitable for your needs and budget. Although it’s possible to deal directly with a landlord, many students prefer to use an agency since this provides an extra layer of security. We can act as a middleman between the tenants and the landlord, ensuring everything is done by the book. Flatshare advice for overseas students International students, in particular, may benefit from using an HMO letting agency in Edinburgh. Rental frauds are on the rise nationwide, with scammers tricking students into renting out fake or already let property on websites like Gumtree. Since many overseas students are unable to view a property before handing over a deposit, this is a real risk. Using an agency that’s experienced in HMO letting in Edinburgh can help you avoid falling prey to such scams. What to consider when viewing an HMO? It’s always a good idea to check that HMO is licenced before viewing it. You can do this by contacting the local housing department. At the viewing, you should ask to see up to date gas safety and electrical safety certificates. Check the property has working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as fire extinguishers, installed. You may also want to check that appliances are adequate and in working order. Have a list of questions ready to ask when viewing an HMO. These could be anything from “Are bills included in the rent?” to “Is there storage for bicycles?” Asking questions will help you to work out if this is the right student accommodation for you. We recommend talking to other tenants already living there if possible. This will provide you with an unbiased and realistic account of living in the property. Ultimately, renting a room in an HMO can be a great move. It allows you to live comfortably with other students close to your university and other facilities, and you can easily split bills and other living expenses, making it a very affordable accommodation option. Start your search for an HMO in Edinburgh with Cairn. Contact us here.

Edinburgh, Guides, Selling

Edinburgh Estate Agents: Your Brief Guide to Selling Your Home in Scotland’s Capital

Edinburgh Estate Agents: Your Brief Guide to Selling Your Home in Scotland’s Capital Selling your home in the capital? Finding the right Edinburgh estate agents is step one, but there are other costs and considerations, too. This short post will share everything you need to know about putting your Edinburgh home on the market. First, Hire Your Edinburgh Estate Agents Choosing the right Edinburgh estate agent can make all the difference to how quickly (and for how much) you can sell your property. Ideally, you’ll want someone with local knowledge, experience, and a track record of success in your area. Someone like Cairn. Here’s how we can help you sell your property in Edinburgh: It all starts with the valuation: We give you an honest, realistic valuation based on assessing relevant market data and industry experience. Next comes the legal stuff: We’ll recommend you a choice of industry professionals (with favourable rates) to help with your home report and conveyancing. We can also advise you on how to tackle any of the works suggested by the home report. Putting eyeballs on your home: We take a proactive and in-depth approach to marketing your property. This includes: Placing a “FOR SALE” board on or as near to your property as possible Designing hard copy and PDF brochures with professional quality photography and descriptions to highlight the key and best features of your property Generating an accurate floor plan Creating digital marketing Posting property details on all key online residential property portals, including Rightmove & Zoopla Presenting your property on our own website with a downloadable PDF brochure Featuring your property on social media Circulating our property listing to Cairn’s active purchaser database weekly Displaying a window card in our office Preparing for and conducting viewings: Before showing your property to prospective buyers, we can provide home staging advice linked to target markets and budgets. We then host open or accompanied viewings, follow up on queries, and regularly report on progress. Negotiation and sale: Finally, we liaise with purchasers on your behalf in an open negotiation to get you the best possible price for your home. Interested in getting started? Arrange a valuation here. Other Important Considerations + Costs When Selling Beyond the services we provide above, there are a few more costs and considerations when selling your Edinburgh home. These include: The home report: This is a compulsory part of putting your home on the market in Scotland. The home report provides all the essential information a potential buyer will need to make an informed decision about making an offer. We can help you arrange this, or you can find a provider yourself. The price will vary depending on the size of your home but usually costs somewhere in the region of £250 to £750. Conveyancing fees: Once you’ve accepted an offer on your home, “conveyancing” can begin. This is the legal term for the transfer of ownership from you to the buyer. If you’re working with a separate conveyancer or conveyancing solicitor, you should expect fees to cost around £1,500. Removal costs: An often overlooked cost, removal (and storage) is vital, especially when you’re working to a tight deadline, or there’s a gap between moving out of your old home and into your new one. Costs will vary depending on your needs. You may wish to hire a van and do it yourself, or you might need a professional removals company to help you pack and transport everything. Expect to spend anywhere from £400 to £1,200, and sometimes more. Cairn: Your Edinburgh Estate Agents As one of Edinburgh’s leading local estate agents, we can help you sell your home without any fuss or drama. Get in touch to learn more.

Edinburgh, Hints & Tips, Landlords, Letting

A Short Guide to Letting in Edinburgh

A Short Guide to Letting in Edinburgh Interested in letting in Edinburgh? Here’s what you need to know. With Edinburgh property as sought after as ever, buy-to-let opportunities haven’t lost their appeal. Average rents are up 39% in the past ten years according to ESPC, demonstrating the fantastic long-term investment potential the rental market offers. If you’re a first-time landlord, read our short guide to letting Edinburgh properties. 4 Things You Need to Do When Letting in Edinburgh 1. Register your rental property Before you can let out your property, you’ll need to register with the City of Edinburgh Council. Since this is a legal requirement, failing to do so could land you in hot water. You could even face a £50,000 fine in some cases. To register as a landlord, visit the Scottish Landlord Register website or contact your local housing department. 2. Understand your responsibilities Letting out your rental property isn’t a simple case of finding tenants and pocketing the rent each month. As a landlord, you have a wide array of responsibilities you’ll need to carry out to ensure you comply with the law. This includes creating tenancy agreements, securing deposits in a tenancy deposit scheme, and arranging Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). You must also take steps to ensure your tenants are safe while living in your property, such as annual fire safety, electrical safety, and gas safety checks. 3. Market your property Don’t underestimate the importance of marketing your rental property when letting in Edinburgh. There are many properties available for rent in the capital, and yours must stand out from the crowd to stand a chance. Although it can be tempting to skip the marketing process to save money, it’s essential when it comes to finding quality tenants who can be relied upon to pay rent on time each month. A local letting agent can market your property using various methods, making sure it’s visible and appealing to as many prospective tenants as possible. 4. Carry out repairs quickly When letting in Edinburgh, you may have to carry out repairs in your rental property. You need to ensure the property meets two sets of standards: the Repairing Standard and the Tolerable Standard. Always carry out repairs in a reasonable amount of time. What is considered “reasonable” depends on the type of repair. If the problem makes the property unsafe, you’ll need to get it fixed as quickly as possible. However, many landlords either don’t have time or live too far away to make or manage repairs to their properties. Fortunately, if you choose a fully managed letting service, your agent can arrange the repairs on your behalf. Letting in Edinburgh with Cairn Property Edinburgh remains one of the best cities in the UK for buy-to-lets. Not only does it have a growing population and a thriving economy with over 50,000 businesses, but it also has six universities, making it ideal if you want to let out your property to students. Work with a reputable Edinburgh letting agent (like Cairn) to maximise the potential of your buy-to-let investment in the Scottish capital. Contact us to learn more about our letting services. .flex_column.av-8egpo-b95516b53cac3006319c6f701afd6499{ -webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; -moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;

Edinburgh, Landlords

How to Choose Letting Agents in Edinburgh

How to Choose Letting Agents in Edinburgh Need help choosing letting agents in Edinburgh? Read on for our top tips. From marketing and finding the right tenants to collecting rent and carrying out maintenance, there’s a lot to consider when letting out a property. Even if you’re an experienced landlord, the process never seems to get any easier. For this reason, many people choose to use a letting agent to manage their rental property. But how do you pick the right one? Here we share some advice to help you choose the best letting agents in Edinburgh. 4 Tips for Choosing Letting Agents in Edinburgh 1. Seek out local property experts Many letting agents are now moving online, but you shouldn’t underestimate the value of finding local property experts who know the area inside out. Look for an agent who’s already let similar properties near your own. This will ensure that they have in-depth knowledge of the local lettings market and give you the best advice. Letting agents in Edinburgh can provide an accurate valuation for your rental property and also carry out in-person viewings if required. 2. Decide on the service you require There are hundreds of letting agents in Edinburgh. However, not all offer the same level of service. While some offer a fully managed service, others will provide a let-only service. The one you choose will largely depend on how much time and knowledge you have to dedicate to being a landlord. If you want your agent to handle everything for you, from marketing the property to dealing with tenants, you’ll need a fully managed service. If you’re happy to manage the tenancy yourself, but need an agent to find tenants and deal with the paperwork, a let-only service could be more suitable. Decide what level of service you require and look for letting agents in Edinburgh that can assist. 3. Assess their marketing techniques Marketing is crucial when letting out a property. After all, successful marketing is the best route to finding and retaining reliable tenants. So, when looking for letting agents in Edinburgh, be sure to assess their marketing prowess. Where and how well are their properties listed online? Do their photographs/videos showcase a property effectively? How do they make it stand out from the crowd? Do they describe the property with engaging detail? Are they active on social media? The marketing of your property will shape people’s perceptions and ultimately determine if they arrange a viewing or not. It must be up to scratch. 4. Read online reviews When looking for letting agents in Edinburgh, don’t underestimate the importance of reading online reviews. According to GlobalWebIndex, almost half (47%) of all internet users worldwide say that they post reviews about a product, company, or service every month. Reading these reviews allows you to gain insight into a letting agency and helps you establish what level of service you’re likely to receive. Genuine feedback from real customers helps you separate the wheat from the chaff and ensures you choose an agent that will make letting out your property a breeze. Looking for Letting Agents in Edinburgh? Choose Cairn In 2015, HomeLet surveyed 2,000 landlords and discovered that the vast majority (87%) used letting agents to manage their properties. This goes to show how important they are for marketing and managing rental properties. And with so many letting agents in Edinburgh, it makes sense to take your time and choose a company you can rely on. A company that provides a first-class service tailored to your needs. A company like Cairn. Contact us to learn more about our letting services.

Edinburgh, HMO Properties

Choosing HMO Letting Agents in Edinburgh: Advice for Landlords

Choosing HMO Letting Agents in Edinburgh: Advice for Landlords Need help choosing the right HMO letting agents in Edinburgh? Look no further! There are plenty of reasons why you should invest in property in Edinburgh. In fact, we’ve taken a closer look at a few of them in this blog post. In short, the growing population, opportunities for young people, and the biggest arts festival in the world all rank high. But it’s the thriving student market that makes HMO development in Edinburgh such an attractive prospect. And if you’re interested in letting your property as a House in Multiple Occupation, it’s a good idea to put the day-to-day management of it in the hands of experts. So, here’s what you need to look out for if you’re choosing HMO letting agents in Edinburgh. How to choose HMO letting agents in Edinburgh 1. Choose a local agent HMOs have lots of benefits, from higher rental yields to lower risk (as you spread the risk of non-payment across several tenants). However, they can also be time-intensive to manage, and with the strict conditions set out by the HMO licence, it makes sense to use an agent local to the area. 2. Choose an HMO-savvy agent Speaking of the licence, certain rules and responsibilities go hand-in-hand with letting an HMO property. It’s vital that your chosen agent is up-to-speed with the legislation and that they keep you compliant throughout your agreement. 3. Choose an agent familiar with the student market If you want to target the burgeoning student market in Scotland’s capital, make sure your chosen agent has experience in dealing with student tenants. This can be quite different to renting to families or young professionals, and can often require a different skill set to ensure the property is maintained to a high standard and rents are paid on time. 4. Choose Cairn – HMO letting agents in Edinburgh Interested in letting an HMO property in Edinburgh? Choose Cairn. We offer a variety of HMO Development and HMO Property Management services, specialising in student lets. We can refurbish the property to comply with all legislation, working quickly, efficiently, and on budget. And our expertise in building warrants, planning permission, and HMO properties, in general, will deliver a property worthy of an HMO licence. Ready to get started? Contact us to learn more. .flex_column.av-2jhnc2-cc1f3e362b4a96ec9c81c881fa66be73{ -webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; -moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;

Edinburgh, HMO Properties, Landlords, Student Accommodation, Tenants

Renting an HMO in Edinburgh: Advice for Landlords & Students

Renting an HMO in Edinburgh: Advice for Landlords & Students Interested in renting an HMO in Edinburgh? Read on for some important advice. An HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) is any residential property rented by at least 3 people who aren’t from the same household (for example, a family). In doing so, they also share key communal facilities such as a toilet, bathroom, and kitchen. Renting an HMO in Edinburgh comes with plenty of benefits for both landlords and students: Firstly, for landlords, HMOs can provide higher rental yields than one or two-bedroom properties. They also help to spread risk across multiple occupants. Meanwhile, for students, they offer a chance to comfortably live with 3, 4, 5 or more friends. This means you can easily split bills and other living expenses. However, if you’re interested in renting out (or living in) an HMO, there are a few important things you need to keep in mind. HMO in Edinburgh: What Do Landlords Need to Know? As a landlord of an HMO, it’s your responsibility to get an HMO licence and to manage and maintain the property to a high standard. This means you need to: Be a registered landlord Keep important certificates up-to-date Undertake quarterly inspections and fire training Fit smoke alarms on every level Keep fire escapes clear from obstruction Ensure upkeep of communal areas Make sure waste disposal facilities are in place Are you a landlord interested in letting an HMO property? Here at Cairn, we offer a variety of HMO Development and HMO Property Management services. Get in touch to find out more. What About Students Renting an HMO? As a student living in a house share, it’s helpful to understand the rules around HMO properties. Presuming your property has an HMO licence (you can check by emailing hmo.licensing@edinburgh.gov.uk), your landlord is legally-bound to meet certain safety and cleanliness standards. If you feel as though these standards have slipped, and your landlord isn’t responding, you can flag this to Edinburgh city council. They’re responsible for enforcing these standards and can compel your landlord to take the appropriate action. Are you a student interested in renting an HMO in Edinburgh? We manage several licenced HMO properties in the city. Get in touch to learn more.

Edinburgh, Buy To Let, Hints & Tips, Landlords

Tips for Letting Edinburgh Property During the Festival

Tips for Letting Edinburgh Property During the Festival Are you a landlord interested in letting Edinburgh properties during the festival? Read on. So, you’ve got yourself an Edinburgh property within walking distance of the most popular Fringe venues, and you’re wondering if you should rent it out for the summer? You’re not alone. Many Edinburgh residents get out of dodge when the Festival rolls into town, and they often make a pretty penny by putting their property on the short-term rental market. But before you let those flashing pound signs cloud your judgement, there are a few things you need to know. Here we share our top tips for letting Edinburgh properties during the world’s biggest arts festival. COVID Disclaimer: At the time of writing, the 2021 Edinburgh Fringe is “under construction”. However, these tips are evergreen and can be used whenever the festival returns to normal, whether that’s this summer or beyond. Letting Edinburgh Properties During Festival Season 1. Make Sure Your Mortgage Allows Short-Term Lets First thing’s first, you need to ensure you’re allowed to market your property as a festival let. You might think that your buy-to-let mortgage has you covered, but this generally requires that you let the property for a minimum of six months. Instead, you need a special holiday-let mortgage — and these are more expensive and difficult to acquire owing to increased risk and uncertainty. Even trying to fly under the radar by putting your property on sites like Airbnb could leave you in breach of your mortgage contract, so while tempting, it’s ultimately not worth it. 2. Don’t Rush Into Anything — Always Vet Your Tenants When you let your property long-term, both you and your tenant are guided by various legal obligations and responsibilities. However, when you let short-term, your tenants may not feel as responsible, given that they’re only staying for a few days or weeks. This means you could end up renting to someone who fails to take care of your property in the same way a long-term tenant would. And this could leave you out of pocket and chasing payment for repairs should the worst happen. Just remember, festival lets are always in high demand, so there’s no need to rush. Take your time and vet your tenants to find someone you can trust with the keys to your property. 3. Move Your Valuables Into Storage Most short-term renters understand that they’ve booked another person’s home for the duration of the festival, so at a minimum, they’ll expect furniture, cutlery, utensils, and other bits and pieces. But they’ll also want to feel at home during their stay. So it’s a good idea to pack away your personal belongings, assorted knick-knacks, photographs, and any other valuables. Also, don’t forget to lock away important documents, like bank statements or passports. Or better yet, take them with you. 4. Take Plenty of Photos (Before & After) Finally, similar to renting long-term, it’s best practice to take plenty of photos immediately before and immediately after a short-term tenancy. That way, you have a record of the condition of the property should you need to pursue the tenant for any damage that occurs during their stay. Interested in Letting Your Edinburgh Property? Talk to Cairn Whether you’re interested in renting Edinburgh properties short-term or long-term, Cairn can keep you right. Get in touch with our Edinburgh property experts today.

Edinburgh, Hints & Tips, Properties For Sale

Find Flats For Sale in Edinburgh (Before They Go Online)

Find Flats For Sale in Edinburgh (Before They Go Online) Looking for flats for sale in Edinburgh? Follow these tips from Cairn and find them before they go online. Here’s something you might not realise: Some of the nicest flats for sale in Edinburgh are snapped up long before they make it to the market, let alone the property listing websites. So, how do these seemingly psychic house-hunters keep beating you to the punch? In this post, we share some of our favourite proactive property-searching tips: How to Find Flats for Sale in Edinburgh Before They Hit the Market 1. Get to Know Your Local Estate Agents The best estate agents work hard to keep their fingers on the pulse of the local market. And many develop close working relationships with sellers to achieve quick, profitable sales. As a buyer, you can aim to do the same. By getting to know your local agents (being clear, friendly, and responsive in the process), you might just get a few hot tips in return. This is especially true if you know exactly what you’re looking for in an Edinburgh flat for sale (and you have your finances in order). If something matching your specifications becomes available, an agent will often be happy to let you know before it hits the market. 2. Build a Team of Flat-hunters Unless you have your reasons for keeping it a secret, tell your friends, family, colleagues, social media connections, and anyone else who’ll listen that you’re looking for flats for sale in Edinburgh. That way, if they hear through the grapevine that someone they know or a friend of a friend is looking to sell, they can let you know ASAP. Word-of-mouth is an underrated way of finding properties, but it’s certainly effective! 3. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Letter Writing Do you know which part (or parts) of Edinburgh you’d like to move to? If so, crack those knuckles and get writing. Post letters through doors in the area(s) you’re interested in, explaining who you are, your situation, and asking if they’d be interested in selling their property. This approach is a numbers game. Most may discard your letter, but for some, it could plant a seed. Maybe they’ve been thinking about selling and simply discovering that there’s interest could be the push they need. Or, if you’re feeling particularly brave, you could knock on doors. Just be prepared for rejection. 4. Keep an Eye on the Rental Market Finally, it’s worth remembering that everything is for sale at the right price. If you see a property for rent that ticks all your boxes, there’s no harm in reaching out to the letting agent and inquiring about the possibility of buying it. Again, some landlords may have thought about selling up, especially if they’re finding it difficult to keep tenants, or if they live outside the city or country. By simply asking the question, you could prompt them to do a deal. Bonus Tip: Make Sure You Have Your Financial Ducks in a Row It’s easier to move quickly when you’re ready to move. So, if you get wind of a dream property edging towards the market, and you want to nip in there and nab it early, you need to have your finances in order. When you have the cash ready (or a mortgage in principle), you’ll seem less risky to the seller. And the attraction of a fast sale could encourage them to avoid the open market and deal with you exclusively. Interested in flats for sale in Edinburgh? Get to know Cairn a little better. Reach out and tell us what you’re looking for — we’re always happy to help. Contact us here. Did you know our Glasgow & Edinburgh branches specialise in Off-Market properties, Learn more about our approach to Tenanted Flats here.

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Edinburgh, Hints & Tips, HMO Properties, Letting, Student Accommodation

Why We’re the Best Edinburgh Letting Agents for Students

Edinburgh, HMO Properties, Student Accommodation

HMO Letting Edinburgh: Everything Students Need to Know