Finding private rented accommodation

This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. This page applies to Scotland only. Get advice relating to England

This page looks at various ways to find accommodation to rent, and includes information on letting agencies, deciphering property to let ads and safety when flat-hunting.

What kind of accommodation is available?

Private rented accommodation could be:

• a self-contained flat or house
• a shared house or flat with other tenants, either friends or people you don't know
• a room in your landlord's house or flat
• a bedsit.

Bedsits or shared flats inhabited by several people who aren't related to each other are also known as houses in multiple occupation, or HMOs.

Where should I start?

• Ask around: your family, friends or work colleagues may know of someone with a room to let or a flatshare in need of a new tenant.
• Check out ads in shop windows, and on noticeboards in supermarkets, community centres and university/college. You can put a notice up yourself saying that you're looking for accommodation.
• Look at ads in local papers and magazines. See below for our guide to deciphering rental ads.
• Search online: there are lots of websites listing rental properties. For starters, try:
  • EasyRoommate - enter your details and this site will provide you with a list of flatshares in your area
  • Lettingweb - rental properties across the UK, plus register to receive email and SMS alerts when a new property is added that meets your requirements
  • Letting in Scotland - lists rental properties across the country
  • SSPC - this website links to solicitors' property centres across Scotland.
  • Rentamatic - UK-wide property rentals site, with comprehensive listings for Scotland.
• Some council advice centres may have lists of accommodation available to rent. Use the Advice Services Directory to find out about an advice centre near you, or look on your council's website.
• If you're a student, your Student Accommodation Office should have lists of reputable landlords who rent to students. You can also try the Accommodation for Students website.

What about letting agencies?

Letting agencies are an increasingly popular way of finding accommodation. Find out more about letting agencies here.

Rental ad jargon - what does it all mean?

When you look at classified advertisements for rental properties you could find yourself confused by all the abbreviations. But don't worry, if you don't know your GCH from your GCSEs, your PCM from PMT, use our handy jargon guide to decipher it for you.

GCH = gas central heating
WM = white meter for electricity
WC = water closet (toilet)
N/S = no smoking
No DSS = usually prefixed by the word 'sorry', this means that the landlord doesn't want tenants who will be claiming housing benefit
DG = double glazing
CT = council tax
PCM = per calendar month
PW = per week
lge = large
sm = small
rm = room

Flat hunting safety guidelines

Remember, when you go to view potential flats to rent, always follow these safety guidelines:

• Don't go on your own. Always take someone with you when you visit a flat.
• Always let other people know where you're going, who you're meeting and when you should be back.
• Arrange to call someone afterwards to let them know you're safe.
• If you arrange to meet someone over the internet to view a property, be doubly cautious - people on the internet aren't necessarily who they say they are.