Advice for tenants
Whether you want to rent as a stop-gap between buying and selling,
or considering renting a home on a longer-term basis, our guide will
tell you all you need to know about being a tenant.
Choosing the right area
Research continues to show location as the most important factor in deciding
where to live. This too applies to those who rent. For families, the reputation
of the local school may be a deal breaker, but where do you start when you don't
know the area? The Scottish Schools Online
website will prove a good place to start. This provides a searchable Directory of all schools in
Scotland, including local authority and independent schools.
If you are a Student looking for accommodation your University may be able to help, but first
check out the ESPC Rental section
where you can benefit from a wide choice of properties currently on the market.
Consider transport links
You should consider transport links carefully too, especially if your main lifeline
is public transport. You will find all you need to know about transport links by visiting
the local council's
website in your area.
Landlords responsibilities
Once you have chosen an area and found your property, there are a few things you need to know.
Your landlord is responsible for making the property fit for habitation. In doing so, he or she must
make sure that water, electricity and gas supplies, and sanitation units, are in working order and ensure
that the property is free from damp.
The property must also have adequate heating, lighting and ventilation. If the property is
furnished, the landlord must ensure that those furnishings meet the fire resistance standards and
that all gas appliances and installations are maintained in good order and that an annual safety
check is carried out by someone who is registered with
the Council for Registered Gas Installers
(CORGI). Check out their website to find out your rights as a tenant.
Different regimes of housing information exist between Scotland and the rest of
the UK, so for up-to-date information visit the Shelter website
for valuable advice.
Tenants responsibilities
In turn, as a tenant, you are responsible for paying the rent as agreed and
taking proper care of the property bills for gas, electricity, telephone, Council
tax, water and sewerage charges. For more information on
Tenants responsibilities
visit the Shelter website.
For a wide selection of properties for rent, go to our
property search
section.