Student property wins the day

Edinburgh student property continues to prove a solid, reliable investment with (nearly) all of Cullen's managed properties for the student market letting within weeks of being released. In fact, many of the flats in the most desirable areas such as Marchmont and  Bruntsfield were let within hours of the first viewing. So what makes student property in Edinburgh so popular?

From an investor's and landlord's point of view, the obvious draw is the rental yield which can reach up to 12% and is typically in the region of 7%. What's more, the capital required to invest makes the city a lot more accessible to investors than, say, London. Add to that an ever-growing student population and it's easy to see why the market is looking good.

Does that mean anything rents? No, definitely not. Buying 'any old property' and hoping students will live in it, won't work. It's about knowing the most sought-after areas, often closely located to universities as well as amenities, shops, bars and cafes, and the most sought-after property types. Many Edinburgh students are keen to share a spacious, traditional tenement flat with their friends, making three to five and even six bedrooms popular.

Edinburgh students want and can afford quality, so it pays to refurbish and furnish a property to make it attractive for prospective tenants. It would be hard to decide whether the city is a tenant's or a landlord's market - it really is a bit of both.

From a tenant's point of view, the city ticks even more boxes, including a choice of highly regarded universities, paired with unparalleled cultural offerings in a beautiful city setting. Then there is the availability of desirable traditional properties in great locations and while there is no shortage of student properties there is certainly room in the market for more high quality flats in popular areas.