Apartments in Scotland

Hi All, I am moving to Scotland with my wife in January on a UK Ancestry visa and wondered if anyone had any advice on renting a flat. I assume that Scotland has its own rental particulars.i.e d...

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Canadians in the UK

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canadian.shaun
New Member

Joined: 12 Nov 2007
Posts: 3
Location: London, Ontario

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 8:01 am

Hi All,

I am moving to Scotland with my wife in January on a UK ancestry visa and wondered if anyone had any advice on renting a flat. I assume that Scotland has its own rental particulars.i.e damage deposit, credit check etc. Also are rental agents wary of renting place to non residents?.any experience on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

We are staying with family for the first week and then have a week at a hotel in Edinburgh.Do you think that this is a realistic amount of time to get a flat rented in?

Sneex
Junior Member

Joined: 13 Nov 2007
Posts: 14
Location: Vancouver

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:26 am

I just searched on a site called gumtree dot com *I had to spell it out like that because i'm a new poster lol* its like uk craigslist - make sure you change the setting to the city you're looking in (same as craigslist)

I found a flat in Edinburgh in the Marchmont(university) area, a 5-10 minute walk from everything for 300 quid a month split between me and my fiancee and the bedroom was HUMONGOUS! Great kitchen and my flatmates were wicked. My damage deposit was same as in canada, 1/2 the rent, and it was returned to me promptly. One thing you should know is either with flat-mates, or on your own YOU will be responsible for council tax. The nicer or newer the area the higher the council tax (much like property tax in canada) As well as heat, hydro, hot water, etc, So keep that in mind when your looking. It can really add up. You can also check out sites like Festival-lets etc, (agents) they are more than willing to let to non residents for the Holiday/Festival season (Spring/summer) It can be a touch pricey though so be carefull.
Also, two weeks (even a week) is ample, just be prepared to do alot of walking and appartment hunting! Very Happy

We found ours in a few days. Pick up newspapers once your there. If your going to be in Edinburgh, GET A LOTHIAN BUS PASS! Its worth the money. If you put your families address as though its your own *wink wink* you can get a cheaper pass, one month is 36pound. TRUST me thats cheap and worth it, seeing as its 2.50 per day, or 1 pound each time you get on and off. Anyways Good luck!
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canadian.shaun
New Member

Joined: 12 Nov 2007
Posts: 3
Location: London, Ontario

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:07 am

Thanks very much mate!.Do you have any links relating to the local job Market. I work in the field of 3D design and video production and i hear that Edinburgh and Dundee are both good spots for those kinds of jobs. I have heard great things about Edinburgh and mixed reviews about Dundee.

Sneex
Junior Member

Joined: 13 Nov 2007
Posts: 14
Location: Vancouver

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:07 pm

Never been to Dundee (Heard the song though haha) We sorta bypassed it by mistake on our road trip and ended up in the middle of Scotland in Aviemore haha.

I don't know much at all about Scottish job markets, I worked as a waitress in Ocean Terminal Razz