Student housing in Edinburgh (Napier)

[Ineedcoffeenow]

DD is in her first year at Edinburgh Napier and living in halls. She’s heard of other people starting to sort out accommodation for next year. Can anyone help with how long she has to sort this ? Her and her flatmates want to stay around the Fountainbridge area (where her halls are).

Unlikely. The Scottish system means tenants only give a month’s notice so the student rental market becomes more buoyant from Easter onwards.

If it's a private rental I think there will still be a decent choice if you start looking in April/May (as final years give notice) but that was 2024.

That’s interesting. I had read that it’s a month-to-month system in Scotland, but couldn’t find anything that said it also applies to HMO’s.

DD BF + mates always left it late a couple of times (early August) - combination of internships and drop outs. It actually worked out okay both times but they were out nearer Kings. Plus they were also willing to sofa surf for a few weeks if necessary.

That’s good to know. DD and her flatmates are pondering over a private house rental, or go to a private halls—they’re looking at the IQ halls in Fountainbridge. IQ seems more expensive, but DD doesn’t want to give up her en-suite (in fairness she has digestive problems).

Private halls will get booked earlier as they attract overseas students and postgrads.

I think in private halls prices only go up with time as the internationals seem to be willing to pay £££. Friend of DD used to sign up and then bail knowing that they'd release her as they could sell it easily for more money (Unite). But check if still true just in case Edinburgh not attracting the internationals anymore.