Thank god furnished is easier to come by! That's exactly what we'll be needing. I know it's about 8 months (!) early, but how early do you recommend getting in touch with letting agents and getting the ball rolling, considering I'm in Canada. What I was thinking (and correct me if I'm wrong because I'm quite new to this) I was hoping to have a bunch in mind and with appointments for viewing, view them all and find one within a week or so of getting there ... Stupid?

Rach. I think there are 2 problems with this approach.

The first is that generally when properties are advertised, they are available straightaway & the owners want to let them asap - read, start receiving rent straightaway. Nice places go quickly. So you could line up properties to view but find they'd all gone by the time you arrive. Just occasionally, during my long years of renting (until last year !), I got an owner to keep a places for a few weeks without my paying rent, as they thought I seemed like a good tenant & I wanted a long-term let, so was worth hanging on for. (How long ar you planning to stay ?)

The other problem is that September is when the university starts (Edinburgh University, that is - not sure about the others) so that's when the students are looking, or have already snapped a lot up. You may think, as I did initially, that you are not in the same market as students - but there are a lot of very rich students in Edinburgh. I remember hearing that a friend's nephew (who'd gone to Eton), was with 2 friends paying £1000pm for a New Town flat 8 years ago !!

Sorry, I hadn't previously picked up on that 'September'.

I'm not saying that you won't find somewhere within a week, just that I think there's not much to be gained by contacting agents before arriving, and at that time of year it may take a while to find somewhere nice.

Is one of you coming to study at one of the universities ? Maybe they could help ? I believe the newer halls of residence may even include self-contained flats for couples, & you'd have the security of having somewhere fixed up before arriving.

Or can you come any earlier ?

If you don't want to do either of these, I'd recommend just waiting until you arrive then checking the letting web daily, checking 'The Scotsman' (newspaper) & the ESPC guide each Thursday, and registering with a few of the better agencies.

As you may already have found out by now, you can sign up with the letting web to be sent daily updates of what you are interested in. You could start of by selecting your max & min prices, any other must-haves but selecting all areas, then whittle the areas down as you find out more about them. I could help by suggesting areas you can rule out straightaway

I can't come any earlier unfortunately ... Currently I'm in a Travel & Tourism program at my college, and am due to graduate in May. Then I'll be working full-time this summer, which essentially is how I'm affording this move. September is the earliest I can get over But I suppose there should be at least some places available when we come ... I hope

Is there any merit to the idea of getting a place with a few extra bedrooms then letting them out if we need the money? I know you mentioned the HMO curse ...That's kind of a new concept to me, considering in Canada you can rent any old bedroom in your house and take their money and nobody cares!

Hi Rach. I don't really think there's any merit in getting a bigger place & renting out rooms & I think you're more likely to find a nice smaller flat, but it just depends on what's avaialble when you arrive. It's good that you will consider either as it will give you more options, although I suppose it makes searching more difficult !

Another idea for when you get here is to look at 'The List', the fortnightly listings magazine. It lists some flats but more rooms to rent in flats, sharing with one or more existing owners/tenants.

I have to say your "a few extra bedrooms" made me smile - would it be presumptuous to assume you are not used to living in a big city where most people live in small flats ?? I don't know anyone with a few extra bedrooms !

You've pegged me I'm a small town girl living 45 mins outside of Ottawa. But I HAVE lived in an apartment when I went to University and I absolutely love the city...

When I said a few extra bedrooms, it was only because having looked at listings, we saw a fair few places available with 3 or 4 rooms!

Fair enough, there are 3-4 bedroom flats - but many will be grotty HMO ones.

I'm now coming round to thinking that maybe your best bet - and the least hassle - will be a flatshare from The List - I think most of the ads there are from owner-occupiers of probably quite nice flats who just want to let a room to spead the cost. Personally I'd rather get a 1 bedroom flat and not share, but each to his own (you're probably more easy-going than me !.

Rach, Caroline, et al.,

Just wanted to say thanks for starting this post, and for the helpful info. My husband and I are also evaluating a move to Edinburgh in September (or earlier to find a flat!), and this information was very useful. Thanks!

Re renting rooms out. You can rent rooms out in your own home up to 4,250 and receive the income tax free

Google "Rent a Room" (including the double quotes)

But as for "I think most of the ads there are from owner-occupiers of probably quite nice flats who just want to let a room to spead the cost", I somewhat doubt it. Most will be HMO's and not "rent a room" and you'll probably find that every possible room is converted into a bedroom (or even 2 bedrooms) with the exception of what is generally described as an "open plan kitchen / living area" which means a small room with a cooker & a sofa