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EXPERT ADVICE

Letting your property Are you thinking of becoming a
landlord in 2026 and unsure of where
FAQs to start? Head of ESPC Lettings, Nicky What are my responsibilities How would my lease agreement
for repair works?
protect all parties?
Lloyd, breaks down frequently asked
questions regarding letting out a
property in Scotland. As a landlord it is your responsibility All leases issued in Scotland are Private
Residential Tenancies (PRTs) and offer
to ensure that your privately let
property meets the Repairing protection for both the landlord and tenant.
Standard. At its core, the standard Areas covered will likely include information
exists to guarantee that tenants regarding the tenancy agreement, deposit and
new year brings fresh opportunities, What licences do I require to have a safe, comfortable home. rent, repairs, ending the tenancy, terms and
one of which could be property Your property must be wind- and conditions and more.
A investment. become a landlord?
watertight, structurally sound, and fit
All landlords are required, by law, to register for people to live in. How do I work out the rental
Letting out a property in Scotland follows a as a landlord with the local council where
completely different structure from selling or your rental property is located. You will need The structural essentials matter too. income of my property?
buying. It is vital that you have all the correct
information at hand as it will save you money, to display your landlord registration number The exterior, roof, drains, gutters, Rental income is driven by the market, the
time, and unnecessary stress. Here are some in all advertisements of your property, and and external pipes all need to be property location, and the property type e.g.
of our most frequently asked questions, on the lease document. You will also need in good repair and working as they number of bedrooms. Whilst you can look
so you can start your landlord journey your landlord registration number when should. online to check other properties in the area, I
with confidence. you lodge the tenant’s deposit in one of the would recommend contacting a letting agent
regulated tenant deposit schemes. Inside, all the systems that make for a more accurate figure. At ESPC Lettings,
we are happy to provide free, no obligation
modern living possible: water, gas,
Depending on the type of property you are electricity, heating, and sanitation, rental valuations.
renting, you may require an HMO (Houses of must be properly maintained and in
Multiple Occupation) Licence. These apply working order. What should I consider if I want to
to properties where you are renting to three let out more than one property?
or more unrelated people. The application If you’re letting a furnished property,
process is made through the local council everything you supply must be safe If you are looking to build a portfolio of
where the property is located. to use for its intended purpose. It’s properties, you might want to consider having
comparable properties in similar locations for
a straightforward but crucial point:
If you choose to use a letting agent, they will tenants shouldn’t be put at risk by ease of management. For any tax implications
organise all of this for you. faulty or unsuitable furnishings. you should speak to a tax specialist or
financial advisor.
Finally, there are two critical
What is the process and timescale safety requirements that could What is the rental demand in
for getting registered as a landlord? save lives. Every let property must Edinburgh and the surrounding
have effective fire detection and areas like?
It is a simple online application which will ask warning systems in place, as well as
questions about you and your rental property. carbon monoxide detectors to alert The Edinburgh rental market is always strong
The length of time may depend on your local residents to this silent but deadly with high demand. We are seeing one-
council, but on average issuing a registration hazard. bedroom properties in central locations being
number takes 1 – 2 weeks. the most in demand with the average time to
let for these properties being 9 days.

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