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 challenge of saving for a deposit make the property ladder seem further away than ever.

Now, MPs on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee have launched a new inquiry into how renters can realistically transition into home ownership. The investigation, starting this autumn, will explore:

• How the Government supports first-time buyers through stamp duty relief, Help to Buy ISAs, and special mortgage products

• How the proposed permanent mortgage guarantee scheme and revised Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) lending rules could help renters by recognising rental payment history when applying for mortgages

• Whether schemes like Shared Ownership and changes to Right to Buy are truly making home ownership affordable

The average home in England now costs around 8.25 times average earnings (up from seven times in 2014), while rents have also risen sharply. For many, the challenge isn’t affording a monthly mortgage payment – it’s saving for the deposit.

In Scotland, the situation is notably more affordable than in England. According to the latest Scottish Housing Market Review:

• For first-time buyers in Q1 2025, the average house-price-to-income ratio was 3.0 × their earnings.

• For home movers, the ratio stood at 2.7 × earnings  

Why Renters Need More Support

Florence Eshalomi, chair of the committee, summarised the issue:

“If you don’t own your own home, and can’t turn to your family for help, how can you be expected to save up for a mortgage when more and more of your income is going on rent? Decades of failure to build enough homes means far too many people stand no chance of making the first step on the housing ladder.”

The committee will hear from mortgage lenders, developers, local councils, and rental sector experts in the coming months, with recommendations expected on how to make home ownership more achievable for renters.

How The Letting Experts & The Property Experts Help Renters Become Homeowners

At The Letting Experts and The Property Experts in Edinburgh, we recognise the challenge many renters face when trying to make the leap to owning their first home. That’s why we offer a joined-up service to help tenants plan and budget for home ownership while renting.

Through our partnership with The Mortgage Experts, we can help you:

• Track your affordability by reviewing your rental payment history (a key factor lenders are starting to consider)

• Plan your finances and identify savings strategies while you rent

• Understand government schemes like Shared Ownership and the mortgage guarantee programme

• Find mortgage products that reward consistent renters

• Make the transition smoother by helping you move from renting to buying – all under one roof.

Whether you’re renting a flat in Leith, Stockbridge, or the New Town, or saving for a deposit in South Queensferry or Corstorphine, our team will help you create a clear path from tenant to homeowner.

Looking to Own Your Own Home? Let’s Get You Started

If you’re currently renting in Edinburgh and want to explore how to get on the property ladder – without overstretching your budget – we’re here to help.

📞 Contact The Letting Experts today to find out how we can help you plan, budget, and secure a mortgage while you rent, making your first step onto the property ladder a reality.