Students

Private rented accommodation

You may wish to rent a property from a private landlord or agency during your time at the University.

The number of properties available for private rental in Edinburgh is at an all-time low, due to circumstances outside of the University’s control. This pressure has seen a significant fall in the number of private flats available for rental by students.

Changes to lease regulations also mean that designated ‘student flats’ – where students were offered 10-month leases with a break over the summer – don’t exist anymore.

You can get in touch with lettings agencies and view properties using a property search website. 

Please note that accommodation suitable for families is limited. If you have children or dependants, please ensure you have confirmed arrangements for accommodation in place before you arrive in Edinburgh.

Below are some places it may be useful to contact as part of your search. 

ESPC s1homes  Citylets 
At Home in Edinburgh A Flat in Town  Arden Estates 
Belvoir Cornerstone Letting  Dove Davies 
Factotum  Northwood UK  Southside Management 
Umega  Littlejohns Ltd  Rettie
Glenham Property Edinburgh Letting Centre   

There are also Facebook community pages which can help with your search:

Edinburgh Student Accommodation 2024/25: Find rooms, houses, housemates 

Looking for a flatmate

The Students’ Association has set up a website to help students looking for potential flatmates to share accommodation with. On it, you can:

  • Find flatmates
  • Form a group of flatmates
  • Advertise spare rooms including private and University rooms
  • Advertise flats

Flatshare | Edinburgh University Students’ Association

The Advice Place also has advice on renting a room or a flat from a private landlord on their website:

Renting a room or flat | The Advice Place

Purpose-built student accommodation

This is housing built for students and managed by private companies. It tends to be a bit more expensive than University accommodation or private renting, but the standard of accommodation tends to be high and there are lots of en-suite rooms available. Below are the locations that currently have availability for 2024/25 and that are taking applications as of 10 October 2024:

Provider Property Room type
Allied Students Edinburgh College Residence Cluster flat
Capitol Students Gorgie Cluster flat
Capitol Students Westfield Studio/Cluster flat
CRM Haddington Place Studio
CRM Meadow Court Cluster flat
CRM Murieston Crescent Studio/Cluster flat
CRM Norton's Student Living Studio/Cluster flat
Downing Students New Park Studio/Cluster flat
Edinburgh College Milton Road Cluster flat
Hello Student Buccleuch Street Studio/Cluster flat
Hello Student South Bridge Studio
Hello Student King's Stables Road Studio
IQ Fountainbridge Studio/Cluster flat
IQ Grove Street Cluster flat
IQ The Mont Studio/Cluster flat
IQ Elliot House Studio/Cluster flat
Novel Huxley Studios Studio
Prestige Student Living Gateway Apartments Studio
Prestige Student Living Keel Houses Studio
Prestige Student Living Mayfield Residences Studio
Prestige Student Living McDonald Road Cluster flat
Prestige Student Living Straits Meadow Studio
Prestige Student Living Silk Mill Studio/Cluster flat
Student Castle Causewayside Studio
Student Roost Lady Nicolson Court Studio
Student Roost Panmure Court Studio
Student Roost Portsburgh Court Studio/Cluster flat
Unite The Old Printworks Studio/Cluster flat
Unite Sugarhouse Close Studio/Cluster flat
Unite Shrubhill House Studio
Universal Student Living 200 Cowgate Studio/Cluster flat
Vita Fountainbridge Studio
We are Homes for Students The Mill House Studio/Cluster flat
We are Homes for Students 8 Roxburgh Cluster flat
Yugo Arran House Cluster flat

Beware of scams

When you’re looking for private accommodation, be aware that there will likely be some adverts on property search websites that could be a scam.

Some of the warning signs include a room being cheaper than other properties in the area, or pressure to act or transfer payment quickly. View any property in person or virtually before transferring any money, and secure accommodation through a registered letting agent or trusted accommodation provider.

The Advice Place has a checklist of things to consider to make sure you’re signing up for a legitimate rental property:

Accommodation scams | The Advice Place

Where to live

While areas such as Marchmont are ideal if you’re looking to live within walking distance from our central area, if you broaden your search criteria, there are lots of alternative places across the city that have great commuting links to our campuses.

If you can’t find accommodation within the city centre, it’s worth considering properties in areas slightly further out such as Dalkeith, Slateford, Murrayfield, Corstorphine, Musselburgh, Loanhead and Penicuik. These areas have an easy commute by bus to the city centre and are more affordable.

Some of our students have created their very own tours of the neighbourhoods they live in, to introduce you to what it’s like to live in different parts of the city:

Neighbourhood tour videos

Help with your rental property

If you are struggling with navigating your lease or having problems with your private landlord, contact The Advice Place for free advice.

The Advice Place

Shelter Scotland can help you to take legal action if your landlord refuses to make repairs to your accommodation.

Tribunal for private landlord repairs | Shelter Scotland