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Letting, Buy To Let, Hints & Tips, Landlords, Services, West End
How to Choose the Right Glasgow West End Letting Agents for Your Rental Property
How to Choose the Right Glasgow West End Letting Agents for Your Rental Property Are you a landlord looking to rent out a property (or properties) in Glasgow’s West End? Working with the right Glasgow West End letting agents can make a world of difference. Here, we explain all. For many buy-to-let investors in Glasgow, investing in the city’s iconic West End is a no-brainer. This much sought after location combines glorious green space with bustling cafes, trendy bars & restaurants, and countless transport hubs and local amenities. Popular with students and young professionals alike, rental properties are constantly in demand. And if you’re thinking of adding to your portfolio in this part of the city (or you’re looking for help managing your existing properties), working with expert Glasgow West End letting agents is a must. Here, we explain how to shortlist and choose the right agent. What Should You Look for in Glasgow West End Letting Agents? In our experience, there are three key questions you should ask yourself when shortlisting your Glasgow West End letting agents. Let’s explore in more detail: 1. Are they local to the area? Whether you live elsewhere in the city, the country, or overseas, when you appoint a letting agent to look after your property (or properties), it pays to work with someone local to where your portfolio is situated. That way, you know you have boots on the ground if your tenants require any help or advice, of if an emergency situation arises, such as flooding or fire. Cairn is located on Gibson Street, smack dab in the middle of the busy Kelvinbridge area. We’re a stone’s throw from Kelvingrove Park and 5 minutes from the University of Glasgow. While other letting agents might claim to keep an eye on the West End, our staff know it inside out. 2. Do they have experience dealing with student lets and HMOs? A large proportion of the renters in the West End are made up of students attending one of the city’s major universities or colleges, many of which are easily accessible from this part of the city. When you’re choosing a West End letting agent, they must have experience in dealing with student lets and HMOs. With so many rules and regulations you need to adhere to as an HMO landlord, you need to know you’re in safe hands and on the right side of the law. At Cairn, we invest heavily in our people, our staff are both qualified and abreast of legislation to help ensure we meet your obligations as a landlord. In investing to ensure our staff are Letwell and ARLA qualified, we also have an in-house specialist in first tier tribunals and compliance, where normally a landlord would have to pay extensive solicitor fees, our dedicated team keep you compliant. We’ve been dealing with students and HMOs since day one. Discover why we’re the best letting agents for Glasgow students here. 3. Do they have trusted local trade contacts? Above all else, you should have complete peace of mind that your investment is being maintained to a high standard. And a crucial part of this is making sure your West End letting agents have the right processes and contacts in place to safeguard the condition of your portfolio. When you work with Cairn, we carry out regular inspections and report directly to you. We also deal with any queries or property management issues, and we arrange appropriate (and vetted) contractors to carry out any repairs. See more: Management Services Cairn: Proudly Serving the West End of Glasgow Since 1999 Thinking of working with Glasgow West End letting agents? Choose Cairn. Contact us today and speak to one of our friendly (local) property experts.
Letting, Edinburgh, Hints & Tips, HMO Properties, Student Accommodation
Why We’re the Best Edinburgh Letting Agents for Students
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.
Letting, Glasgow, HMO Properties, Student Accommodation, Tenants
Why We’re the Best Glasgow Letting Agents for Students
Why We’re the Best Glasgow Letting Agents for Students Are you looking for Glasgow letting agents for students? Here are three reasons why we’re the best around. Glasgow is ranked first in Scotland, fourth in the UK, and 39th in the world when it comes to the best student cities — and it’s easy to see why. With an impressive mix of students, world-renowned universities, historic landmarks, breathtaking architecture, friendly locals, and vibrant, contemporary culture, Scotland’s biggest city is hard to beat. If you’re moving to Glasgow to further your education, you’ve made a great choice. But you’re going to need somewhere to rest your head after a day of lectures (or a night in the student union). That’s where we come in. Cairn has been helping students rent in Glasgow since 1999, and we can help you, too. Here are three reasons why we’re the best Glasgow letting agents for students. Why We’re the Best Glasgow Letting Agents for Students 1. Helping Student Tenants from Day One Some estate & letting agents in Glasgow won’t take on student tenants. That’s not our style. We love helping students take that first exciting step towards living away from home. We also appreciate that it can be a bit daunting, to begin with. That’s why we’re always on hand to advise if there’s ever anything you’re unsure about. On our website, you’ll find a few handy “how-tos” (here), and we make it super simple for you to report a repair in your property. 2. HMO Experts Moving to an HMO property as a student makes a lot of sense. You get to split the bill three, four, or five ways (or more, depending on the size of the property), and it gives you a chance to meet and live with new people. But not all HMOs are made equal. As HMO experts, we make sure the properties on our watch are fully-licensed, inspected regularly, and safe for student occupancy. Read more about our approach to HMOs here: Cairn: HMO Specialists in Glasgow. 3. Proudly Local Our Glasgow office is based on Gibson Street, a stone’s throw from the stunning grand main building of Glasgow University. We think having that local presence is vital — you don’t want to deal with agents located two towns over. Rather, you should be able to pick up the phone and pop by for a chat if required. We also know the city like the back of our hands. If you’re unfamiliar with Glasgow, our localised team of letting agents can help you figure out the best place to rent in relation to your campus, taking class times and public transport into account. Cairn: Your Glasgow Letting Agents Whether you’re moving at the start of term time or while classes are in full swing, we can help you find the right student flat in Glasgow for you. Get in touch to learn more.
Letting, Landlords
Landlords – we take referencing seriously!
Landlords – we take referencing seriously! At Cairn we pride ourselves on our strict and comprehensive referencing processes. Protecting our landlords from potential fraud risks or tenants that do not meet our criteria is a top priority at Cairn Letting. As COVID-19 has introduced further complications for landlords, we will make sure you are fully updated with new legislation and facts regarding the changes to Government Legislation. We have a highly experienced Compliance Manager and our Property Managers are all Fully Qualified, holding certificates with Letwell and ARLA who will ensure you are protected and can support you with any difficult situations you find yourself in whilst letting out your property. Please find a list of the referencing documents we ask prospective tenants for in order to fully protect our landlords: Credit check – We feel this is crucial in obtaining the correct tenant for our client and allows us to validate if they are suitable for the tenancy Two Proofs of Address – This is important in order to ensure the potential tenants are who they say they are along with a copy of photographic ID National Insurance Number Check residence status – For overseas tenants we ask to see a copy of their visa or residence permit to ensure that they are entitled to be in the UK. Check for previous First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) eviction and civil proceeding decisions against the tenant on the tribunal’s website here. Cairn always look into the detail of any case as sometimes the tenant will not be at fault. Employer/pension provider/accountant reference – this will detail their job title, contract duration and/or annual income. Last 3 months pay slips – This is a further procedure to check their current job role and salary is correct For students, we ask for a letter from their university confirming their student status. For students funded/paid by an organisation or government, we ask for evidence of paid income or funding for living expenses . Landlord reference – if the tenant has lived in rental accommodation in the past then we will obtain a reference from their former landlord/letting agent. This will state the tenancy dates, monthly rent due, details of any arrears, whether the property was kept clean and tidy, whether deductions were made from their deposit and whether there were any problems with anti-social behaviour or other breaches of the tenancy terms. If a potential tenant does not meet our affordability checks we will ask if they can provide a guarantor. A guarantor is a person who agrees to pay the rent if the tenant fails to do so. You may also choose to ask for a guarantor if the prospective tenant hasn’t rented before, doesn’t have a regular source of income or you have any other concerns about their ability to pay the rent. For student applications we ALWAYS ask for a guarantor.
Letting, Edinburgh, Hints & Tips, Landlords
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;
Letting, Glasgow, Hints & Tips, Landlords
A Short Guide to Letting in Glasgow
A Short Guide to Letting in Glasgow Interested in letting in Glasgow? Here’s what you need to know. Buy to let in Glasgow is booming, with demand for rented homes soaring in recent years. Scotland’s biggest city remains an attractive option for students and young professionals, and properties are being built in prime locations targeted at these demographics. According to ECA International, this has driven up rental prices, with Glasgow seeing the highest increase in the UK over the last year. So, if you’re a first-time landlord interested in letting property in Glasgow, read on for Cairn’s most important info, tips, and advice. 4 Things You Need to Do When Letting in Glasgow 1. Register with the local council When renting out properties in Glasgow, you have to register with the local council. Registering your property before letting it ensures it meets the minimum legal requirements. Keep in mind that if you rent out a property before registering with Glasgow City Council, you could face a hefty fine (up to £50,000). To apply for landlord registration, contact the local housing department or visit the Scottish Landlord Register website. 2. Find suitable tenants Finding reliable tenants who will pay rent on time and respect your property is one of the most important aspects of a successful buy-to-let in Glasgow. However, you won’t secure good tenants by accident. Marketing your property will make it more attractive, with appealing visuals giving it the edge over others in the area. A local letting agency in Glasgow can help you market your rental property effectively, helping you find and secure suitable tenants quickly. 3. Understand your responsibilities As a landlord in Glasgow, you have a wide range of responsibilities. As well as drawing up a tenancy agreement and securing the deposit in an approved tenancy deposit scheme, you’ll need to: Arrange an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC); for advertising. Ensure your property meets the Repairing and Tolerable Standards at the start and throughout the tenancy. Meet safety requirements such as installing smoke alarms and carry out a gas, electrical and water system checks. Pay overseas landlord tax (if applicable). And maintain the property’s structure and exterior. You’ll also need to carry out common repairs within the property. Although your responsibilities as a landlord can seem overwhelming, a letting agency can carry out many of these duties on your behalf, making life so much easier for you! 4. Deal with disputes promptly When letting out properties, disagreements happen. For example, perhaps a tenant wants you to repair or replace something, and you don’t think it’s your responsibility. Whatever the reason for the dispute, you’ll need to find a way to deal with it quickly. If you can’t resolve the issue by talking to your tenant, you may consider getting advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), the Legal Services Agency, or your solicitor. Many people find dealing with tenants disputes one of the toughest parts of being a landlord. This is why many choose to work with a local letting agency. Having the support of an experienced and qualified property manager with a vast knowledge in the Repairing and Tolerable Standards, as well as a landlords responsibilities will take the stress and worry away from dealing with any difficult disputes. At Cairn, all our staff are fully qualified to ensure they can handle and resolve any disputes quickly and efficiently to the landlords and the tenants satisfaction. Letting in Glasgow with Cairn Property Buying and letting out Glasgow properties can be a fantastic investment, with increasing demand for homes and rising rental prices making it an attractive prospect. However, there’s a lot to consider when renting out a property in the city, with many responsibilities placed squarely on a landlord’s shoulders. Fortunately, a local letting agency (like Cairn) can handle many of these duties, from finding the right tenants to making sure you’re complying with your legal obligations. Contact us to learn more about our letting services. .flex_column.av-qp6g3d-694ba03245f5f999b6d55385abe07316{ -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;
Letting, Glasgow, Hints & Tips
How to Choose Letting Agents in Glasgow
How to choose letting agents in Glasgow Looking for letting agents in Glasgow to help rent your properties? Here are our top tips. With the demand for rental properties in Glasgow greater than ever, there’s never been a better time to buy-to-let here. However, rather than letting out your property yourself and running into problems down the line, it makes sense to work with a reputable local letting agency. Read on to find out how to choose letting agents in Glasgow. 6 Tips For Choosing Letting Agents In Glasgow 1. Assess their local property knowledge There may be hundreds of letting agents advertising their services in Glasgow, but how many of them have expert local property knowledge? When you choose a letting agent with experience in renting similar properties in your area, you can expect them to deliver the expert advice you need to make your investment a success. Focus on finding agents who know the area well. Not only can they be relied upon to value your property accurately, but they’ll also be on hand to carry out viewings in person. 2. Evaluate their marketing methods Marketing is crucial for finding the right tenants for your rental property — it’s essential to find letting agents in Glasgow who place significant focus on it. Find out what methods they use to market properties, taking a close look at how well they’re listed online. Have they used enticing visuals and video that gives them the edge over other properties? Do their properties stand out from the crowd? If so, there’s a good chance that particular letting agency can do the same for your property. 3. Consider your requirements When choosing letting agents in Glasgow, you’ll need to consider your requirements carefully. Do you need a fully managed service or will a let-only service do? If you’re an inexperienced or time-short landlord, a fully managed service could be the best option. This means your agent will handle everything on your behalf, from finding tenants to dealing with repairs and disputes. However, if you’re prepared to manage the tenancy yourself and only want your agent to find tenants for you, a let-only service may be more appropriate. Take some time to think about how much time and expertise you have to commit to your buy-to-let investment in Glasgow. 4. Check reviews and testimonials Online reviews are worth their weight in gold when it comes to choosing a letting agency in Glasgow. They let you read honest and impartial feedback from people who’ve already used the company’s services. Scouring the internet for reviews and testimonials can help you to find a reputable letting agent with a proven track record for managing rental properties in the city. 5. Credentials & LARN Always ensure a Letting agency is registered, each professional agency has a LARN number and that should be on display and available on request. By law, all agencies must use a tenant deposit scheme ie Safe Deposit Scotland, look out for how your chosen letting agent deals with disputes, ideally disputes are settled through third tier tribunal processes. Investing in agency staff is also an important tell tale sign, look for an agency that demonstrate qualified, fully trained staff – these can often be recognised through the credibility of having a SAL or ARLA accreditation. 6. Knowledge is key It is important to ask questions to ensure the letting agent appointed is knowledgeable with current legislation and procedures. Consider asking questions like ‘how do you reference tenants?’, ‘how do you check that my property is being looked after throughout a tenancy?’, ‘how to you handle tenant arrears?’, ‘how do you manage maintenance?’, ‘how do you handle tenant evictions?’, ‘do you have any experience with the First-tier Tribunal?’, ‘Can you help me with my HMO license?’. Having an experienced and knowledgeable letting agent will ensure that you have the best support possible when difficult situations arise in your rental property. At Cairn, we have fully qualified property managers with a wealth of experience in handling difficult letting situations. We have specialists in our office on hand to help you with HMO applications, tenant arrears, evictions and Tribunal applications if necessary. Looking For Letting Agents In Glasgow? Choose Cairn With the vast majority of landlords in Glasgow hiring letting agents to manage their rental properties, their importance is clear. They can help you to find and retain reliable tenants, helping you maximise the profitability of your buy-to-let investment. Finding the right letting agent can make life so much easier for you, taking away much of the stress that comes with being a landlord. Take your time to choose a local letting agent who you can rely on to manage your property to a high standard. A letting agent like Cairn. Contact us to learn more about our letting services.
Letting, Glasgow, Landlords, Services, Tenants
Switching Letting Agents in Glasgow: Advice for Landlords
Switching Letting Agents in Glasgow: Advice for Landlords Are you a landlord thinking of switching letting agents in Glasgow? Read on for some advice from Cairn. Expensive maintenance charges. Substandard repairs. Poor communication. Late rent payments. And every time you call, it’s someone different on the other end of the line — and they don’t know you or your property. As a landlord, the last thing you need is a letting agent mismanaging your property. If the above sounds familiar, it could be time for a change. And despite some common misconceptions, switching letting agents is easier than you think. Moving Letting Agents in Glasgow: Common Misconceptions Many landlords see changing letting agents as a hassle they can live without, so they stay loyal to an agency, even if they’re not meeting expectations. Others think they need to wait until the property is empty before switching, while some simply don’t see the point in moving. After all, a letting agent is a letting agent, right? Wrong. Let’s deal with these misconceptions, one by one: 1. “I have to wait until the end of the tenancy before changing agents.” This isn’t true. The Tenancy Agreement is between you (the landlord) and your tenant. The agency has been hired to manage your property — switching agents won’t impact the agreement. In fact, it’s often easier to change agents with a tenant in place, as it means the new agent can take over the management of the property without the additional need to advertise and place a new tenant. 2. “Every Glasgow letting agent is the same; there’s no point in switching.” Most letting agents provide similar services. However, the way in which these services are delivered can vary from one agent to the next. Think of it like having a favourite coffee shop, even though you can get a coffee almost anywhere. There’s more to it than simply getting what you asked for. Likewise, the very best letting agents in Glasgow are doing more than making sure rent is collected on time. They’re fully regulated, understand the legislation involved, prioritise quality customer service, and offer professional and reliable communication at all times. 3. “Moving to a new letting agent is more fuss than it’s worth.” Switching from an underperforming agent to one who values a strong working relationship and cares for your property and its tenants is absolutely worth the fuss — if it can even be considered “fuss” in the first place! In reality, there’s little you need to do in order to switch. Beyond giving your current agent written notice that you plan to leave, your new agent will handle everything on your behalf. Case in point… Switching Letting Agents in Glasgow (It’s Easier Than You Think) At Cairn, we make switching simple. From liaising with your current agent to communicating with your tenant(s), we take care of every last detail, including: The acquisition of a detailed handover from your current agent. This will include information related to rent arrears, payment plans, planned maintenance, and outstanding tenant requests; The transfer and recording of the latest safety certificates; The transfer of all keys, up-to-date inventory, and the current lease agreement (if applicable); And the provision of a new point of contact and updated bank details for rent payments to your tenant(s). You are appointed a property manager so you are dealing with one point of contact. Our qualified and experienced property managers conduct audits on documents sent to us to ensure that all legal responsibilities are met and the landlords interests are protected. If you’re interested in changing letting agents in Glasgow, visit our Getting Started page or contact our friendly team for more information.
Letting, Edinburgh, Estate Agency, Glasgow
Check out our new responsive, faster to use Website !
Check out our new responsive, faster and easier to use Website ! We listened to our Landlords & Tenants and are very excited to announce the launch of our new state of the art website. The new site features improved navigation and clean, fresh design as well as introducing you to our four key defined business areas, Investors, Tenants, Landlords & Estate Agency. We wanted to make the new website faster, easier to navigate, and more user-friendly and Its integral for us to make our tenant facing information easily accessible and informative for our tenancies. As well as still marketing properties on all the leading property engines, Cairn have invested in a our new website to help deliver our unrivalled service even more efficiently online. www.CairnEstateAgency.com
