Tenant Rental Guide for Renting in Edinburgh
From finding the right property and arranging a viewing to applications, deposits, repairs and moving out, this guide explains what to expect when renting a home in Edinburgh.
Scotland has its own tenancy rules, so advice written for England, Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the UK will not always apply. Here you'll find practical guidance specifically for tenants renting privately in Scotland.
Your tenancy, made clearer.
- Finding and viewing a property
- Applications and referencing
- Scottish tenancy deposits
- Moving into your new home
- Repairs and maintenance
- Emergencies and inspections
- Rent increases
- Moving out and getting your deposit back
Renting doesn't need to feel like a process nobody explained.
Edinburgh's rental market can move quickly. Properties become available, viewings fill and applicants may need to provide information promptly. That doesn't mean you should rush into a home that doesn't work for you.
A good tenancy starts with both sides understanding what happens next. You should know what you're applying for, what you may need to provide, how much money is required before move-in, how repairs are reported and who to contact when something goes wrong.
Albany Lettings helps tenants navigate that process, from the first property search through to the end of the tenancy.
Looking for a home?
Browse Albany's current Edinburgh rental properties and find a home that works for your budget, location and circumstances.
Search properties →First time renting?
We've created a separate step-by-step guide for people renting privately for the first time in Edinburgh.
Read the first-time tenant guide →Already an Albany tenant?
If your property is managed by Albany, use our online maintenance system to tell us about a repair.
Report maintenance →Work out what you need before the right property appears.
Good rental homes can attract interest quickly, so doing a little preparation beforehand makes the process much easier.
See the property. Ask questions. Then decide whether it works for you.
Albany's current application process requires prospective tenants to view the property in person before submitting an application.
A viewing is your opportunity to look beyond the photographs and decide whether the home genuinely works for you.
Look at the condition.
Check the rooms, windows, heating, storage, appliances and general condition. If you notice something you don't understand, ask.
Think about everyday life.
Consider your commute, public transport, parking, local facilities, storage and whether the layout works for everyone living there.
Check the practical details.
Make sure the advertised rent, move-in date, furnishings and other important details match what you need.
What happens after the viewing?
Attend the viewing
See the property in person and decide whether you want to proceed.
Express your interest
Albany will explain how to submit the information required if you would like the property.
Landlord selection
Applications are considered and the landlord decides which application to progress.
Referencing
An independent referencing provider completes the required checks.
Tenancy setup
Once everything is complete, Albany confirms the paperwork, payments and move-in arrangements.
Getting ready for referencing
Exactly what you need will depend on your individual circumstances, but you may be asked to provide:
Identity and address
- Proof of identity
- Proof of your current address
- Details for everyone who will live at the property
Income and references
- Employment or income information
- Payslips, contracts or bank statements where requested
- Previous landlord information where relevant
- Student information where relevant
- Guarantor information if one is required
A few Scottish renting rules worth knowing.
Scotland has a distinct private rented sector. These are some of the basics that affect many Albany tenants.
Know what you're signing and what you're paying for.
Once your application and referencing are complete, Albany will explain the next steps for the tenancy agreement, deposit, rent payment and key collection.
Your tenancy agreement
Most new private residential tenancies in Scotland are Private Residential Tenancies, often shortened to PRT.
Read your agreement carefully and ask about anything you don't understand before signing.
Your deposit
A Scottish private tenancy deposit can be up to two months' rent.
Unless an exemption applies, it must normally be lodged with an approved Scottish tenancy deposit scheme within 30 working days of the tenancy starting.
Your first rent payment
Albany will confirm when the first rent payment must clear and any other agreed move-in requirements before your keys can be released.
Check your inventory properly.
The inventory records the condition of the property, furniture, fixtures, fittings and landlord-provided items when you move in. It is one of the most useful records you have if questions arise later about damage or your deposit.
On moving day, find out where everything is.
Inside the property
- Heating controls
- Boiler
- Stopcock
- Fuse box or consumer unit
- Utility meters
Around the building
- Bin and recycling areas
- Shared entrance arrangements
- Common stairs or closes
- Bike or storage areas where provided
- Any parking arrangements
Who to contact
- How to report maintenance
- What to do in an emergency
- Who manages your tenancy
- Albany contact details
- Out-of-hours arrangements
Once you've moved in, this is your home.
You should be able to enjoy living there while taking reasonable care of the property and reporting problems when they arise.
Pay rent on the agreed date.
Keep your rent payments up to date. If you believe a payment may be late, contact Albany as early as possible rather than waiting for the problem to grow.
Look after the property.
Keep the home reasonably clean, use heating and ventilation properly and take reasonable care of landlord-provided furniture, fixtures and appliances.
Report problems early.
Leaks, damp, mould, damaged seals, heating problems and other repairs are usually easier to address when they are reported promptly.
Making changes to the property
Before painting, installing fixtures, changing locks, removing landlord furniture or making other alterations, check your tenancy agreement and obtain written permission where required.
The same applies if your circumstances change during the tenancy. If someone wants to move in or out, you want to keep a pet, or anything else could affect the agreement, speak to Albany before making assumptions.
Property inspections and access
If Albany manages your property, routine inspections may be carried out during your tenancy. Inspections help identify maintenance concerns, monitor condition and give you an opportunity to raise anything that may need attention.
For a Private Residential Tenancy, a landlord or managing agent will normally need to give at least 48 hours' notice when access is required for an inspection or repair. Less notice may be appropriate in a genuine emergency.
Something broken? Tell us early.
If Albany manages your property, maintenance should be reported through our online system. Give as much useful information as you can so the problem can be assessed properly.
Tell us what happened.
Explain what the problem is, which room is affected and when you first noticed it.
Add photographs.
Photos or short video can make it much easier to understand what needs attention before a contractor attends.
Tell us if it's getting worse.
If there is ongoing water damage, loss of essential services or another developing problem, make that clear in your report.
Is it an emergency?
An out-of-hours emergency is something that cannot safely wait until the next working day because there is an immediate risk to you, the property or the building, or because delaying action could cause significant further damage.
Examples can include:
- A burst pipe or serious uncontrolled water leak
- A dangerous electrical problem
- A serious drainage or sewage problem
- A property that cannot be secured
- Loss of heating in circumstances where waiting creates a significant risk
- A suspected gas leak
If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak: call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.
Albany has a separate emergency-maintenance page with the current out-of-hours process and contact details.
Living in a shared or HMO property?
Shared properties can have additional licensing and safety requirements. In Scotland, homes occupied by three or more unrelated tenants may require an HMO licence.
If you live in a shared property, make sure you understand how the tenancy is structured, how bills and communal areas are managed, who is responsible for shared spaces and how repairs should be reported.
Read about Albany and Edinburgh HMOsWhat happens if your rent changes?
For a Private Residential Tenancy, a landlord can normally increase the rent only once in a 12-month period and must give at least three months' written notice using the correct process.
If you receive a rent-increase notice, read it carefully rather than assuming the new amount applies immediately. If anything is unclear, contact Albany or seek appropriate independent housing advice.
Give the right notice and leave a clear record behind.
If you have a Private Residential Tenancy, you can normally give notice to end the tenancy at any time.
You must normally give your landlord at least 28 days' written notice. If the notice is sent by email or post, additional time needs to be allowed for it to be received.
For a joint Private Residential Tenancy, all joint tenants normally need to agree to end the tenancy together.
Always check your own tenancy agreement and speak to Albany before making final moving arrangements.
Before you leave
- Read your tenancy agreement
- Check the original inventory
- Report outstanding maintenance
- Remove your belongings
- Clean the property appropriately
- Deal with any damage you are responsible for
- Take final photographs if useful
Before handing back the keys
- Take final meter readings
- Deal with utilities and Council Tax
- Return all keys as instructed
- Provide forwarding information where requested
- Make sure all rent due has been paid
- Follow Albany's check-out instructions
Getting your deposit back
Your tenancy deposit remains protected through the approved deposit scheme during the tenancy. At the end, the landlord may propose deductions where there is evidence to support them.
That can include things such as:
Go straight to the help you need.
Common questions about renting in Edinburgh
Do I need to view an Albany property before applying?
Yes. Albany's current application process requires prospective tenants to view the property in person before submitting an application. After the viewing, Albany will explain how to express your interest if you want to proceed.
Is an Albany property offered on a first-come, first-served basis?
No. Submitting your information first does not automatically mean the property is yours. Applications are considered and the landlord decides which application to progress to full referencing.
Will I need a guarantor?
It depends on the property, your circumstances and the referencing process. If a guarantor is required, Albany or the referencing provider will explain what information is needed.
Can Albany charge me an application or referencing fee?
No. Application, administration, credit-check, referencing and non-refundable holding fees are not lawful charges for starting or renewing a private residential tenancy in Scotland.
How much can my tenancy deposit be?
A private tenancy deposit in Scotland can be up to two months' rent.
When should my deposit be protected?
Unless an exemption applies, a landlord must normally lodge the deposit in one of Scotland's approved tenancy deposit schemes within 30 working days of the tenancy starting. You should also receive information explaining how the deposit has been protected.
How do I report maintenance to Albany?
If Albany manages your property, report the issue through Albany's online maintenance system. Include photographs and as much useful detail as possible.
What should I do if I have an emergency repair?
First make sure you and anyone else in the property are safe. Albany has dedicated guidance for out-of-hours emergencies, including current emergency contractor details.
How much notice should I receive before an inspection?
For a Private Residential Tenancy, at least 48 hours' notice should normally be given for access required for an inspection or repair. Different arrangements can apply in an emergency.
How often can my rent be increased?
For a Private Residential Tenancy, rent can normally only be increased once within a 12-month period. The landlord must use the correct process and give at least three months' written notice.
How much notice do I need to give when moving out?
A tenant with a Private Residential Tenancy normally gives at least 28 days' written notice. If notice is sent by post or email, additional time should be allowed for receipt. Joint tenants normally need to end the joint tenancy together.
What if my landlord wants to end my tenancy?
A Scottish Private Residential Tenancy does not simply expire. A landlord seeking to end it must use the appropriate legal process and rely on a valid eviction ground. If you receive a Notice to Leave and are unsure what it means, take advice rather than ignoring it.
Where can I find more Albany tenant information?
Visit Albany's full tenant FAQ page for more answers about property searches, applications, referencing, moving in, maintenance and ending your tenancy.
Still need help with your tenancy?
Whether you're looking for a home, applying for an Albany property or already renting one of the properties we manage, speak to the Edinburgh team.
Albany Lettings
6B New Mart Road
Edinburgh
EH14 1RL
Monday to Friday
9.30am to 5pm