Advice on renting in Scotland

[frogmarchheaven]

Please may I have some mumsnet wisdom?

I'm currently living abroad and planning to move back to Scotland in June. We haven't got a property sorted (long story) so have decided to rent until the right house comes up.

I've found a place that fits the bill but am wondering how to approach it with the EA. Firstly, how long generally, will a rental agreement be? How easy is it to break the lease mid agreement? Is it usual to get a month to month agreement? Should I tell the EA my plans to find a property whilst renting or will that put off the landlord?

Thanks in advance

We did this also. I think our contract was 12 months initially, and after this it switched to a rolling month to month (need to give 2 months notice). I think the norm would be 1 year contract although there may be some at 6 months, and I wouldn't bother taking the letting agent, they don't need to know!

Scottish rental legislation now means ther is no minimum period and all leases can be ended with 28 days notice by the tenant. So you should be fine.

Great news, thank you so much

And no letting agency fees for tenants either!

Last time I rented (8 yrs ago) the letting agency made us pay for our own credit check. Stung a bit (£90 if I remember rightly) but at least the government legislated that this charge has to be related to the cost of supplying the service.
I think in England they can charge what they like.
Your deposit should be held and protected. Every rental I’ve had they’ve tried to take too much money back at the end for wear and tear, I’ve appealed and won. It’s a good system.