FAQ for Tenants Letting In Edinburgh

How do I find a property to rent in Edinburgh?

We have a wide range of properties in Edinburgh that will suit the needs of a variety of people. We recommend thinking about what it is that you’re looking for in terms of location, what you need to be close by, and your budget. You can then use our search function to narrow down what it is that you’re after.

What if I don’t find what I’m looking for?

If you are unable to find the right property for you on our search function, then give us a call! Our listings are updated daily but our team of professional letting agents are in the know about future listings that may not have come onto the market yet. They will be able to advise you about any new properties to rent in Edinburgh that will be on the market soon.

How do I arrange a viewing?

It’s easy to book a viewing with us.

You can either click “arrange a viewing” on the details page of the property, and one of our letting agents will get back to you to arrange a convenient time, or you can call our office on 0131 555 4444, (open 9 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday).

As a letting agency in Edinburgh, we are used to the lettings market moving quickly so will want to ask you some basic questions ahead of your viewing. This is to ensure you are in a position to be able to rent a property with us, so as to not waste your time. Read more about the tenancy criteria here.

Is there a tenant criteria?

Yes there is.

We request that all Clan Gordon tenants show they have a combined annual salary of 30 x the monthly rent. If this is not possible, you must show you have a UK based guarantor.

If you are a self-employed person then you’ll need at least 3 years’ worth of accounts, or a letter from an accountant which can confirm your income.

If you are a non-UK resident, you will need to show proof of your right to work in the UK (passport/ VISA/ job contract). It may also be requested that you pay a proportion of your rent upfront.

Do you accept students?

We know that the city has a large student population, so as a letting agent in Edinburgh, students renting our properties is something we welcome. However, we do require that you are second-year or above and have a UK based guarantor.

Do you operate on a first-come-first-served basis?

We don’t operate on a first-come-first-served basis. At Clan Gordon all our vetted applications are given over to the landlord to review, regardless of which order they viewed the property. The Edinburgh lettings market is a busy one, so most of our properties attract several applications from prospective tenants. We recommend providing as much information as possible to ensure you stand out.

How do I apply to rent a property in Edinburgh through you?

To apply to rent one of our properties you must fill out our online form. One of our letting agents will also provide you with all the information on applying at your viewing.

How much is the deposit?

We require a minimum deposit amount of one month’s rent plus £200. This may vary in certain instances but this will always be stated clearly on the property advert.

How do I know my deposit is secure?

We are regulated by Arla Propertymark and all our tenant deposits are held securely in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme. Our letting agents will ensure that you have the details required to claim your deposit back at the end of your tenancy. Deductions requested for things like cleaning, damages or excessive wear and tear and always claimed through the deposit scheme by the letting agent or landlord. These deductions must be agreed to by the tenants to ensure this is done fairly.

Are you regulated?

Yes, Clan Gordon is fully regulated by both the RICS and Arla Propertymark, meaning you have peace of mind that your money is safe with us.

What are reference checks and do you do them?

We reference check all adult tenants before they move into a property. Reference checks are an important step for landlords to make sure that their prospective tenant is suitable for their property. For many landlords, a rental property is a substantial investment, sometimes even having been their home, so referencing give them the reassurance that you can afford the rental payments and will make sure to look after their property.

You will be sent a reference form to complete online once your application has been approved by your prospective landlord. They are carried out by a third party and check the following areas:

Credit check

Bank validation check

Background search

Financial sanctions check

Current landlord reference

Employment check

Affordability calculation

You can find out more information on reference checks by reading our tenant guide to referencing here.

How do we collect our keys?

Your letting agent will meet you at the property on moving day in order to settle you in and show you how everything works (heating, meter readings etc) so you don’t need to worry about anything on the day. We will even switch over all the utilities into your name so you can have peace of mind that everything is taken care of for you.

How do I report a problem with the property?

All properties are likely to encounter some issues from time to time. If you find a maintenance issue in your rental property, we advise that you let us know as soon as possible by emailing a full description of the problem to tenant@clangordon.co.uk along with any photos you may have, in order for us to appoint the best contractor. You can also phone our property management team on 0131 555 444 during office hours (9am - 5pm Monday - Thursday & 9am to 4pm Friday).

Notice will always be given of any contractor visit so you know when to expect them, unless there is an emergency where there the damage to the property is ongoing.

As a tenant, do I have to get insurance?

Yes, as a tenant it is your responsibility to provide contents insurance for your own possessions. Your landlord would have property insurance in place before you move in to cover the property itself and any possessions that belong to them.

Are inspections carried out by the letting agent?

Within the first 8 weeks of your tenancy our property management team will come to inspect the property to make sure everything is as it should be. These inspections will then be carried out on a 6 monthly basis in order for us to check on any issues that may be present which may escalate and cause further damage to the property if left until the end of your tenancy agreement. You will always be given notice of inspections.

We will look for things like:

Signs of damp

Cracked grout and tiles

Deterioration of sealant

Deterioration of windows

You can also let us know if there are any specific maintenance issues we should be looking at while we are there.

Does the letting agent or landlord maintain the garden?

No, neither your letting agent or landlord are responsible for maintaining the garden. If the property has a garden, it is your responsibility as the tenant to keep this to a reasonable standard. Your landlord will provide tools for you to do this with.

There are also some cases where you may have access to a shared garden. This would mean that you have a shared responsibility with the other tenants who use it and may mean paying your share towards a gardener who will regularly come to maintain it. If this is the case we will let you know when you view the property.