New Students

Find your own accommodation

If you are not planning to live in University accommodation, it is strongly recommended that you start looking into private accommodation well in advance of arriving.

When you are choosing accommodation, there are lots of things to consider, including availability, legal issues, costs and comfort. This page includes advice on leases, deposits, which flats and areas to consider, student support and how to avoid housing scams. 

The Advice Place 

There’s plenty of support available to help you find somewhere suitable in the private sector. The Advice Place offers a variety of services to help, including:

  • Finding flatmates
  • Lease checking
  • How to avoid housing scams
  • Information about tenancy types, deposits and rent guarantors

You can receive advice in person or via phone, email, or video call during opening times or by appointment.

Useful information about accommodation (The Advice Place website)

The Advice Place

Contact details

Address

Street

5/2 Bristo Square

City
Edinburgh
Post Code
EH8 9AL

Watch our 'How to...' videos for further information and advice about accommodation

These short videos from 2023 will cover the ways in which you can find accommodation in Edinburgh, tips on how to do this safely to avoid scams, information on joint tenancy agreements and rent guarantors and deposits.

Video: Accommodation Playlist - 'How to...' Sessions 2023
Part of the 'How to...' online sessions 2023, this playlist includes a range of videos to help new students with any questions or concerns they may have about accommodation in Edinburgh.

Safety

You should always consider your own safety when searching for or viewing accommodation:

  • Is the area safe? Edinburgh is a very safe city, but you should check that you feel safe in the area
  • Is the building secure? Check that the building has a safe entry system like an intercom and ensure that the locks on doors and windows are reliable
  • Are fire safety measures in place? Check that there is a good fire escape route and that smoke alarms are fitted

Other costs

You should budget for all possible costs when choosing your accommodation. You will more than likely have to pay for utilities and bills on top of the cost of your rent.

Utilities and bills

Terminology

Double glazing

Double glazing means the windows have two well sealed plates of glass. This keeps housing warm and dry and can save you money on heating costs.

You should check that your accommodation is well insulated.

Heating

A home with an efficient central heating system and good insulation will keep you warm and comfortable over cold winter months. This can help you avoid illness and will reduce the cost of your heating bills. The most common types of central heating systems are as follows:

Gas fired central heating Gas is supplied through mains pipes. Gas central heating is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than electric heating.
Electric heating Electric heating is not usually as efficient as gas. It often takes longer to heat your home and can be more expensive.
Oil fired central heating Oil heating runs from a tank which needs to be filled up. It can be effective, but you must ensure the oil tank does not run out. Oil is normally used in houses, and is less common in central Edinburgh.
White meter heating This is electric heating which only works at night, when electricity rates are cheaper. It will normally heat enough water for the next day, depending on how much you use. You might find that it can become cold during the day.