Accommodation Services' Private Sector Department
Our Private Sector Department is responsible for the recruitment and management of University-managed flats, and also for maintaining a list of University-approved lodgings.
University-managed flats are those flats in our housing stock which are owned by private landlords, rather than by the University itself.
We lease suitable flats from landlords, and then sublet them to our students.
The University, through Accommodation Services, collects rents and manages these flats on behalf of the landlord, including arranging for any repairs which become necessary.
How many University-managed flats are there, and who can live in them?
University-managed flats comprise about 15% of our total housing stock of over 6,000 places.
They represent about 75% of the accommodation which we make available each year to non-first year students.
What are the advantages of living in University-managed flats?
One major benefit, from a student point of view, is that you are dealing with the University rather than directly with the landlord.
The lease which students sign with the University is identical to the one used for our University-owned flats.
Students enjoy the same level of back-up and security as those living in University-owned properties.
What are University-managed flats like?
Unlike typical first-year University flats (which are generally of a similar nature to one another, and located in large purpose-built, student-only blocks) our University-managed flats tend to be rather more varied in character, layout and location.
Reflecting the individual character of the properties, room sizes tend to vary more than those in first-year flats.
Many properties also have popular features such as separate shared sitting rooms.
Size
We have flats of all sizes, including those which are suitable for couples and families, as well as for groups of students.
Location
When we take new properties, we take into consideration the distance from the main University areas.
Many managed flats are located in the most popular student areas of the city, including Marchmont, Bruntsfield and Newington.
How do I find out about renting a University-managed flat?
This article was published on Sep 11, 2008