Private Accommodation

The private rental market in Edinburgh is currently very competitive, with fewer properties available than in previous years. This has made it more challenging for students to secure private accommodation.

Changes to tenancy legislation also mean that the 10-month student-only leases that were previously offered by some landlords are no longer widely available.

If you are looking for private accommodation, you can search for available properties online or contact local letting agencies for advice and current listings.

If you are moving to Edinburgh with children or other dependants, please be aware that family accommodation is limited. We strongly recommend confirming your accommodation arrangements before travelling to Edinburgh.

Helpful webpages for your accommodation search

The Advice Place

The Advice Place has a range of webpages to support you with finding private accommodation. These include guidance on rent guarantors, avoiding accommodation scams, and information about both renting a room and private purpose-built student accommodation.

If you've found a property, The Advice Place can also review your tenancy agreement, explain any terms you're unsure about, and highlight anything you may want to query before signing.

Looking for accommodation - Edinburgh University Students' Association

Student webpage

The University's student private accommodation webpage provide information and links on letting agents in Edinburgh and links to private purpose-built student accommodation providers.

Private rented accommodation 

Student neighbourhood video tours

Discover different areas of Edinburgh through our student neighbourhood tours. Each video features an example of student accommodation, followed by a walk around the local area, where our students share some of their favourite places and highlights.

Student tours of Edinburgh neighbourhoods

Student neighbourhood blogs

Discover different areas of Edinburgh through our student neighbourhood blogs. Written by our students, each blog introduces an example of student accommodation before exploring the local area and sharing some of their favourite places, tips and highlights.

Neighbourhood Blogs