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How to rent out your home in Scotland Letting your home in Scotland is not as daunting as it may seem. With the right knowledge and advice, you can make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. And one of the best ways to deal with renting is through hiring a letting agent for your property, such as ourselves. We at Home West will deal with all aspects of renting your property to tenants, however there are some measures to consider before this is even an option to you. Firstly you will need to contact your mortgage lender and get consent to let - if you want to rent your house out on your existing mortgage. There is a possibility that they request you to remortgage in this instance. However failure to get in touch means you can be liable for mortgage fraud if you don't get permission. Secondly you will have to register with your local council and also join the Scottish Landlord Register. Prior to renting you will also be required to meet safety requirements such as gas, electricity and carbon monoxide, as well as having an up to date energy performance certificate and also a Legionella Risk Assessment. Here is what we can help with you.   Researching the local market and setting a realistic rental price before you rent your house out Before you set a rental price for your home, it is important to thoroughly research the local market and get an understanding of what other similar properties in the area are currently renting for. It is important to set a realistic rental price that reflects the current market conditions and the condition of your property. With several years as a Glasgow based letting agent, working in areas across the city, we at Home have a grasp on a realistic yet profitable figure to set as monthly fee.   Advertising your property to encourage potential tenants Once you have decided on a rental price, it is important to advertise your property. There are many platforms where you can advertise your property, such as online classifieds, letting agents, and even social media. A letting agent is the best person to leverage this as not only do they have existing clients, whose wants they are aware of. But they also have a known brand on letting sites such as Zoopla - guaranteed to get you more views of your property. We also have access to professional photographers and videographers, with experience in property, ensuring you get the best results.   Vetting potential tenants prior to renting out your property Before you decide on a tenant, it is important to vet potential tenants and ensure that they are suitable and able to meet the criteria of the tenancy agreement. It might be a good idea to check references and conduct credit and background checks to ensure that the tenant is suitable. We as letting agents have done this countless times and will conduct in person or over the phone interviews on your behalf. We have the tools to hand to carry out all background checks, protecting your future property rental income. It is then our job to present to you who we feel is the right fit for your home, finding someone reliable and trustworthy.   Preparing a written tenancy agreement Once you have chosen a suitable tenant, it is important to draw up a tenancy agreement for your rental property that outlines the terms and conditions of the tenancy. This should include details such as rent, rental period, payment terms, the tenant’s rights and responsibilities, and the landlord’s responsibilities. We have such agreements drafted and can tailor to suit your property. Collection of the deposit for your rental property And finally, before the tenancy commences, it is important to collect the deposit from the tenant to cover any potential damages or unpaid rent. It is important to make sure that you have the tenant’s written agreement for the deposit and to ensure that you register the deposit with a tenancy deposit scheme. We have all of these contacts in place and can oversee this transaction on your behalf. It is our job to allow you to start renting your home in Scotland with both confidence and ease.   Start renting our your house with Home West Convinced that renting our your house is your next step? Get in touch today to discuss your options either by calling 07833 564 331 or sending an e-mail to innes@home-west.co.uk.

What are home buyers looking for in Glasgow? When it comes to the average home buyer in Glasgow, there are a few key factors that they are typically looking for.   Home owners want properties in close proximity to local amenities Location is often at the top of the list, with buyers wanting to be in areas that offer easy access to amenities such as shops, restaurants, and public transportation. After all, the location of their future home has a crucial role in their overall living experience - meaning they are often willing to pay a premium for a home that offers the safety, transportation options, and overall neighborhood environment they are looking for. They understand that a prime location not only enhances their day-to-day convenience but also has a positive impact on the property's value in the long run. A great example is the growth in popularity that Shawlands has seen in recent years, with home owners all part of a welcoming and friendly vibrant community with cafe culture. For more information, click here for our blog on demand in houses for sale in Glasgow's Southside.   Home owners want spacious living arrangements in Glasgow The size and layout of the property are also important considerations, as buyers are often looking for homes that can comfortably accommodate their needs and preferences. Because of this, buyers value homes with good layouts because they want a space that flows well and meets their needs. The general consensus is that a well-designed layout should make a home feel more spacious, organised, and comfortable. Buyers appreciate open plan living areas that promote a sense of togetherness and improve mobility throughout the home. They also look for properly positioned bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen areas that offer privacy and convenience. A good layout should consider factors such as natural light, storage space, and traffic flow. And ultimately, buyers will prioritise homes with well-thought-out layouts as they create a more enjoyable living environment.   Home buyers want sustainable and energy efficient properties In addition, the condition of the property is crucial, with buyers preferring homes that are well-maintained and in good overall condition. Energy efficiency and sustainability are becoming increasingly important to buyers, as they seek homes that are environmentally friendly and cost-effective to run. From solar panels and energy-efficient appliances to smart home technologies and eco-friendly building materials, home buyers not only want a home that can provide long-term cost savings - but contribute to a healthier living environment and future. So, if you have a B energy rating or higher, you can expect your property to be in high demand.   Home buyers want their own private outdoor space in Glasgow Finally, parking and outdoor space, such as gardens or balconies, are desirable features that can make a property more attractive to potential buyers in Glasgow. And who can blame them? Having a little slice of nature right outside your door is the perfect way to relax and unwind after a long day. Having your own private outdoor area allows you to enjoy the fresh air and soak up the sunshine without having to leave the comfort of your home. Plus, it's a great place for kids to play, pets to run around, and for hosting barbecues and gatherings with friends and family. Consider it an investment in both your happiness and your home's value!   In conclusion Overall, home buyers in Glasgow are looking for a combination of convenience, comfort, and sustainability when searching for their ideal property.   Are you looking for your new home in Glasgow? If you're a home buyer in Glasgow and have agreed with some, most or all of the above statements, maybe it's time to start your house hunt with Home West. We have a range of starter flats and family homes, as well as new build property options. Dedicated to finding you your dream home, we guarantee to work tirelessly to meet all of your ambitions. Click here to get in touch and discuss the type of home you are looking to buy.

Benefits of new build homes in Glasgow Nothing quite beats being the official first owner of a property. The fresh walls, that new home smell, an entirely blank canvas to make your own ... It's what makes new builds such a popular choice amongst modern day house hunters. And, with a number of new build developments now popping up in Glasgow, we're here to provide some insight in to the benefits of purchasing a new build home.   Energy efficient homes built using modern construction standards First and foremost, and by far one of the biggest cost savers when it comes to new build homes, is their high energy efficiency rating. Thanks to modern building practices and improved materials, all new properties are built with modern day living in mind and place an emphasis on sustainability for the future. This means improved insulation, power saving light sources (led lighting) and sustainable energy sources. All of which helps improve heating in your home and reduces your monthly energy bills, as your home will be warm in the winter and cool in the summer.   Homes that are built for modern living And as well as the improved materials, there is also a more functional design and flow with new homes - often adopting an open plan layout. With your living area now often including kitchen and dining facilities, this means a variety of activities can all take place in the one space - allowing the family to spend more time together. They also include private parking facilities, whether on street or via a driveway, realising that more homeowners now possess at least one vehicle.   New homes offer a great choice in location in Glasgow Not to forget, with this awareness of clients wants and needs, housing developers spend the time to find great locations for each of their new properties. This means that even for homes in the outskirts, they will ensure you are only a few miles from Glasgow City Centre with great nearby transport links. And as well as this, for family homes they will look to be nearby local schools and nurseries, as well as facilities such as sports centres. Housing developments are now often coming with retail space opportunities, which attract shops and restaurants in to the area - all meaning you have a number of things to enjoy, right on your doorstep.   No chain involved when buying a new home And finally, probably one of the biggest attractors, new build homes come with no previous owner(s) meaning you are not involved in a chain when it comes to buying. All of which contributes to a quicker, easier and much less stressful move. And, with a fixed price set, you don't have to worry about being outbid on an offer.   Browse our current range of new builds Glasgow Within our current portfolio we have a limited number of new builds within the Pollokshaws Living development in Glasgow's Southside. Offering both two bedroom flats and new build homes, it is just minutes from the popular area of Shawlands - filled with local eateries and quirky small businesses. Availability is now very limited however, so we recommend to get in touch to arrange a viewing.

Demand in houses for sale Glasgow Southside Glasgow South continues to be one of the most sought after areas for house hunters in the city, with Shawlands topping the scales when it comes to popularity. But just what is it that makes the area so in demand? Situated just on the outskirts of Glasgow City Centre, the area allows homeowners to enjoy the best of both worlds. The quietness of suburban living and the social/nightlife aspects of the city. As well as this, the area has a great cafe culture and community feel, as well as being dog friendly throughout - all complemented by the many neighbouring large parks. So if you have a home in the area and you've been debating making a move, it seems like there's no time like the present to get in touch with your local Estate Agents. Read on to find out why.   Homeowners are looking for more space and a sense of the outdoors Since lockdown, more people have begun to work from home, this means that homeowners are seeking larger spaces for a better work/life balance. Known for their high ceilings, decorative coving and large fireplaces, this is why the large sandstone tenement buildings in the Southside are now becoming the starting point for many a house hunt. As well as this, locality to the likes of Queen's Park and Pollok Park is also key, as it provides the ideal opportunity to unwind after a long day or week.   The variety and heritage of property type in the area However it's not just tenement buildings that generate interest in the area, there are also a number of period properties, as well as new builds in Glasgow's Southside. It is this eclectic mix which attracts such a diverse group of individuals to the area and creates the unique and wonderful local community that Shawlands is known for. It is this group that brings in the small independent businesses and the local markets with their support local, community ethos - making for an all round great place to stay and live.   The variety of bars and restaurants locally And with this amount of bars and restaurants on your doorstep, you may not even have the need to travel any further than your local neighbourhood for a night out with friends - again another draw to the area. With rising house prices, as well as the current cost of living, homeowners are looking for ways to save. And by having a thriving local scene, minutes from your front door, is a great attraction.   Our current available properties in Glasgow South & property market overview House prices are on the rise within Glasgow, thought to have increased by a minimum of 0.7% last month, great news for those considering selling! Even better news is that latest reports from the Scottish Land Registry suggest that the average house price in East Renfrewshire, neighbouring Glasgow South, sits at £290,500. In our case we have constant demand from buyers and renters for the Southside and we currently have both apartments/ flats and houses for sale. This includes new build options which are having to be created to meet demand. On average we are seeing a one month turn around on average between properties entering the market and selling. And this is not just limited to one house type. At the moment we have our three bedroom flat on Quentin Street or as well as the last remaining plots in the current phase of Urban Union's Pollokshaws Living development - where there are three, four and fire bedroom townhouses available. As well as limited two bed apartment options. It is this experience of the area and variety of properties with which we have experience that gives us the edge. Interested in selling or letting your property? Contact Innes directly on 07833 564 331 or email innes@home-west.co.uk

Regulation for short term lets Scotland A proposed scheme to regulate short-term lets in Glasgow will go out to a public consultation. The new licensing scheme follows changes to the recent Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, which allows local authorities to introduce a licensing framework for short-term rental property owners to abide by. However within this scheme there are several property types that are except from inclusion. These include licensed accommodation, hotels and mobile accommodation, as well as health and education accommodation.   What does the short term license scheme set out to do? The scheme sets out limits on the number of people that can stay in a property depending on the number of rooms available. In addition, it calls for fire, gas and electrical safety standards to be met with a test to licence holders. It will be an offence to operate as short-term let without a licence and there is also a complaints process for neighbours and tenants under the revised civic government legislation. Public liability insurance would be required for the duration of any let and licence holders are required to act reasonably in relation to maintenance for any communal areas. In addition, waste management is highlighted and finally, key boxes can only be attached to a property with prior, written permission of owners or the relevant authority.   When will the short term license come in to action? All short-term lets are expected to be licensed by Aril 1, 2024. The operator of any short-term let that existed prior to October 1, 2022 will have until April 1, 2023 to submit a licensing application. Current planning policy in Glasgow indicates that flats used for short stay accommodation are required to gain planning permission and licensing applications must be accompanied by proof that planning consent is in place. Planning permission is not required for home sharing, secondary letting for a house and home letting for a house.   The benefits of license applications Councillor Alex Wilson, chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee, believes that this legislation will give safeguards to neighbouring properties used for short-term lets. He said: “Online booking for short-term lets has transformed where people stay for their holidays and made it far easier for property holders to get involved in the rental market. But this explosion in short-term lets also directly impacts upon those living in neighbouring properties and can affect their quality of life if a let is poorly managed. “This draft policy is an attempt to redress the balance and give other residents some comfort that the short-term let in their close or community will be operated safely and appropriately. The policy sets basic standards that any reasonable host should be able to achieve and so provide reassurances to neighbouring residents, but also those who rent the property. “But it is vitally important that this policy is developed in conjunction with the community at large. We will be seeking views directly from a range of stakeholders, but our consultation on this issue will be open to all and we urge anyone with an interest in this issue to contribute their opinion. Full details of how to respond to the consultation will be released in due course.”   Further information of applying for a short term license If you are still unclear on whether you meet the licensing requirements, a full version of the draft policy is available on the Glasgow Council website. Here you can also fill out your application form should it be deemed necessary for you to apply for a license.

Rent in Scotland reaches record highs According to a recent report there has been a spike in demand for inner city homes, pushing rents to record highs - great news for landlords, but less so for renters. Following the pandemic, demand for urban homes fell drastically as tenants prioritised inside and outside space to enable them to work at home, school their children and socialise without leaving their property. Moving to more rural areas enabled people to get more space for their money. In addition, corporate, student and short-term lets were no longer in demand as we faced months of restrictions. The quarterly report shows that prices for rental properties in Glasgow have increased significantly as supply cannot keep up with the current demand. It gives an overview of the lettings market for the first Quarter of this year and shows that demand for rental properties in both rural and urban areas is in high demand, but the number of available houses and flats was higher only slightly higher than the historic low reported in the fourth Quarter of last year. Although there are slightly more properties than the end of last year, this doesn’t look like it’s going to improve in the short-term and this could further push up rents – especially as many landlords are exiting the market.   What you can expect to pay/ earn from rental properties in Scotland The average monthly rent in Scotland went up by 8.5% year on year to £896 with the average time to let is currently less than three weeks, standing at just 20 days. More than 35% were let within one week and 77% were let within one month. In Glasgow there was a 16% annual increase bringing the average rent to £972. Meanwhile Edinburgh saw the average rent rise by 14% year on year reaching £1,214 per month.   The current housing market in Glasgow It appears that city living has made a comeback following the pandemic. Offices have reopened, universities and colleges are now teaching students in-person, and there is once again demand for people living close to public transport. In addition, with rising interest rates and mortgage costs rising, first-time buyers are finding it difficult to secure a mortgage and continuing to rent whilst they save. We are seeing a cost-of-living crisis due to the conflict in Ukraine, the economic recovery from the pandemic and the rise in inflation. Despite this, the market is very busy as people want to get back to normal and press ahead with plans that were put on hold. There is still a real concern about the supply of properties available in the lettings market, especially in Glasgow City Centre and the ever-popular West End. Many landlords are selling up whilst the market is still buoyant and asking prices are high – again due to lack of supply. In addition, many landlords are trying to avoid the threat of increased legislation and taking steps to alleviate their own cost of living.   Get in touch with us to discuss available property to rent We have a number of houses to rent within Glasgow, to discuss our current options, please get in touch via 07833 564331 or email innes@home-west.co.uk. Or indeed, if you’re considering letting your property, talk to us today to get advice and an overview of the market here in Glasgow’s City and West End markets.