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🏡 Becoming a First-Time Landlord in Edinburgh: Your Essential 2025 Guide
Thinking of letting out your first property? Becoming a landlord can be a fantastic investment and a reliable source of income — but it also comes with a legal duty of care and a list of compliance tasks you can’t afford to miss. Whether you’re letting your flat in Leith, a home in South Queensferry, or a new investment property in EH7, this guide from The Property & Letting Experts Edinburgh walks you through exactly what’s required — step by step. ⚖️ Your Legal Responsibi
Sean McMahon
Oct 214 min read


Two-Thirds of Agents Back Mandatory Qualifications – Why Professional Standards Matter More Than Ever
A recent GetAgent poll has revealed that nearly two-thirds of UK estate agents now back the introduction of mandatory qualifications for anyone working in the industry. It’s a striking shift – and one that reflects a growing recognition that property transactions are too important, too complex, and too heavily regulated to be handled by unqualified or under-trained individuals. Why the industry is demanding higher standards For decades, estate agency has been one of the few
Sean McMahon
Oct 162 min read


Why Now Might Still Be a Good Time to Sell in South Queensferry
While national headlines point to a “soft landing” in Scotland’s housing market, local conditions tell a different story.
Sean McMahon
Oct 142 min read


How the New Housing (Scotland) Bill May Affect Landlords in EH6 & EH7
Holyrood has passed the Housing (Scotland) Bill , introducing long-term rent caps, stronger tenant protections, and new compliance duties for landlords. While exact regulations will roll out in stages through 2026, landlords in Leith, Easter Road and Abbeyhill (EH6/EH7) should start preparing now. Here’s what to expect — and how to protect your yield and property value. 1. The Key Changes in the Housing Bill The Bill introduces a new framework designed to make renting in Sco
Sean McMahon
Oct 142 min read


What the Housing Bill Means for Edinburgh Landlords & Sellers in 2025
Scotland’s new Housing (Scotland) Bill is now law, bringing in rent controls (CPI + 1% cap, with a 6% ceiling) and tighter obligations on property safety and maintenance . For landlords in Leith and Easter Road (EH6/EH7) , this means closer scrutiny on rent reviews, compliance records, and improvement documentation . Meanwhile, for sellers in South Queensferry (EH30) , modest growth in Edinburgh’s average property value (~4.5% YoY) shows continued resilience — even as RICS
Sean McMahon
Oct 133 min read


Exciting News for Landlords: Guaranteed Rent & Expanded Services in Edinburgh
At The Letting Experts Edinburgh , we are always looking for new ways to add value and peace of mind for our landlords. We’re delighted to share some exciting updates about how our services are evolving in 2025 from our standard sales and lettings services: 💷 Guaranteed Rent – 3 to 5 Year Options We are now able to offer landlords the option of guaranteed rent schemes , providing complete security of income for 3 to 5 years . This means: No void periods – your rent is paid
Sean McMahon
Sep 292 min read


Rental Passport Explained: Making Viewings Faster & Easier
One of the biggest frustrations for landlords is the time it takes to secure the right tenant. Every week your property sits empty means lost rent — and often unnecessary stress. At The Letting Experts Edinburgh , we’ve solved this problem with our Rental Passport system . ✅ What Is a Rental Passport? A Rental Passport is a simple but powerful way to pre-qualify applicants before they even view a property. It includes: Tenant ID and affordability checks Employment and income
Sean McMahon
Sep 292 min read


Legionella, PAT, and EICR — What Landlords Need to Know in 2025
Staying compliant with safety regulations is one of the most important responsibilities for landlords in Scotland. Not only is it a legal requirement, but it also protects your tenants and your investment. As we move through 2025, here’s a refresher on three key checks every landlord must be aware of: Legionella Risk Assessments, Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), and Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR). 💧 Legionella Risk Assessment All landlords are required to
Sean McMahon
Sep 292 min read


Where Are Tenants Moving To?
Trending Rental Hotspots in and Around Edinburgh The Edinburgh rental market continues to evolve, and tenant preferences are shifting with lifestyle changes, affordability, and transport links driving demand. Knowing where tenants are moving to is key for landlords looking to reduce void periods, maximise rents, and plan future investments. 📍 The City Centre Squeeze While demand for central Edinburgh remains strong, rising rents and limited supply mean more tenants are now
Sean McMahon
Sep 292 min read


New Landlords in Edinburgh – Don’t Miss the Self-Assessment Deadline
At The Letting Experts in Edinburgh , we’re reminding all new landlords that HMRC requires you to register for Self Assessment if you need to file a tax return for the last tax year. The deadline to notify HMRC is 5 October . Registering is simple – it can be done directly on GOV.UK . Once registered, HMRC will issue you with a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) , which you’ll need when completing your return. If you’re unsure whether you need to register, HMRC offers a free on
Sean McMahon
Sep 112 min read


Don’t Let Unfair Exit Fees Trap You: How to Terminate a Letting Agent’s Contract Without Paying Up
If you're being hit with hefty exit fees from your letting agent, you’re not alone—and the good news is, many of these fees may be legally unenforceable, especially when agents fail to deliver their promised service. Why Exit Fees Can Be Unenforceable 1. Unfair Terms Are Void Under Consumer Law Under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 , terms that create a significant imbalance or are overly burdensome can be deemed unfai
Sean McMahon
Aug 283 min read


Housing (Scotland) Bill Likely to Push More Landlords Towards Professional Letting Agents – What It Means for You
A newly published report suggests that upcoming reforms in England under the Renters Rights Bill and the Housing (Scotland) Bill in...
Sean McMahon
Aug 62 min read


6 Tenants for Every Rental Property – Why Our Listings in Edinburgh Move Fast
New figures from Propertymark confirm what we’re seeing every week here at The Property Experts in Edinburgh : rental demand continues to...
Sean McMahon
Aug 62 min read


Edinburgh Letting Agents Prepare for New 5% Tourist Tax on Short-Term Stays
If you’re a landlord or run a letting agency in Edinburgh , there’s a major change coming that could impact your business if you deal...
Sean McMahon
Aug 62 min read


Satire, Not Sledgehammers: Why How to Kill Your Landlord Is Comedy, Not Condemnation
In recent days, a small-handful of commentators have branded How to Kill Your Landlord —a new show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival—as...
Sean McMahon
Aug 53 min read


How Renters in Edinburgh Can Get on the Property Ladder: What’s Changing and How We Can Help
For many renters in Edinburgh and across the UK, the dream of owning a home feels out of reach. Rising house prices, high rents, and the...
Sean McMahon
Jul 223 min read


Rising Rents in Edinburgh: How Landlords Can Balance Fair Increases with Tenant Retention
MP Tim Farron described a letting agency’s decision to raise rents by around 40% for tenants as “basically cruel.”
Sean McMahon
Jul 223 min read


Transparent Letting Agents in Edinburgh: How The Letting Experts Protect Landlords from Fraud and Hidden Fees
situations like this demonstrate how easily landlords can lose out when their letting agent doesn’t operate transparently.
Sean McMahon
Jul 222 min read


How to Maximise Rental Yield in Edinburgh’s West End
Introduction Edinburgh’s West End is a sought-after area for tenants, from professionals to students and short-term visitors. But how can...
Sean McMahon
Jul 151 min read


Rent Controls in Scotland: Urgent Solution or Risky Gamble?
Debate Over Rent Controls Intensifies as Unions Call for Immediate Action Scotland’s housing debate is heating up once again, as a...
Sean McMahon
Jul 113 min read
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