Deciding on the right property

Usually our clients are looking for advice on the location around a property under consideration. What is the nearest school and our chances of getting the children in? How will I be placed for getting to work by rail or bus? Is this a safe area at night?

These are questions, with many others, we can answer for you from our years of local experience and using the local knowledge of our staff, all of whom live locally and travel widely in the course of their work.

We're happy to arrange a tour of your short listed properties to allow you to make your all-important decision. This will be arranged to match your availability and timescale. A member of our Letting Team will be with you to guide you round the property and answer any questions.

And remember, if you don't see a property you fancy on our site, it's always worth making contact with us, and staying in contact as we take on many new properties every week. > Top

Why go through an agent?

At this time you may also be looking at properties which are available direct from private landlords. Why rent through a letting agency rather than a private landlord?

Although there are private landlords who offer a good deal and treat tenants fairly, it is undoubtedly the case that your chances of a trouble free tenancy are greatly improved by going through an accredited agency.

The main risk that tenants face in tenancies is either partial or complete loss of a security deposit, a significant risk in renting throughout the whole of the UK. Government figures suggest that problems with security deposits can arise in one in five private tenancies, and around £1billion of UK tenants' deposits is currently unprotected.

But other problems can arise with direct private lets.

Problems include poor protection as a result of inadequate or non existent leases, lack of response when emergencies arise, landlords entering properties without the necessary legal notification, and lack of safety checks and certification.

So if you are going to take on a tenancy without an accredited agency being involved, make sure you ask all the right questions! > Top

Reassurance from NALS

To help put your mind at rest on these worries, we are members of the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS).

NALS membership means that we have defined service standards, professional indemnity, client protection cover, and a client complaints procedure underpinned by an arbitration scheme. NALS is a Government sponsored accreditation scheme backed by some of the most powerful voices in the property industry including the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA),The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

For you, NALS membership offers peace of mind with the knowledge that in dealing with Letting Solutions you are working with a firm which provides defined levels of service, and has the necessary insurances to protect your money. We are currently the only NALS agent in West Lothian and one of only 9 in the Edinburgh and Lothian area. > Top

Getting you settled

Once you've selected a property, we'll take up references and do the other paperwork and subject to that contact you to fix a date for the start of the tenancy.

Before the start of the tenancy there are a number of essential steps which we need to take to finally prepare your new home, including drawing up a lease, arranging safety checks, and inventory preparation to make your stay safe and trouble free. We will however try to meet your wishes on entry date if we possibly can.

Your safety and security is our prime concern so you can be sure that the lease, inventory/statement of condition and other documentation meet the latest industry and legal standards, and that your future home will have been checked and certified for electrical, gas and fire safety.

Not everyone has rented private property before, so we always explain the letting process in a simple and straightforward way. Charges will be set out when you first contact us, and again when you decide to take a tenancy. There will be no hidden charges or catches.

Your deposit will be safe in an independent professional firm client account held by the Clydesdale Bank PLC

At the start of the tenancy you will be given written guidance and personal contact details to help make your stay pleasant and trouble free. This guidance includes what to do if an emergency should arise, or if you need help and advice at any point throughout your tenancy.

We offer a Tenants Helpline from Monday to Friday so we can deal with your questions and any problems by phone, email, letter or a personal visit by you to our offices at most times. In the event of a genuine emergency outwith these hours, you can ring our emergency line 7 days/24 hours, including Christmas, New Year and other public holidays. > Top

When you want to leave the property at the end of the tenancy

At the end of the tenancy we will work closely with you to ensure a smooth termination of the tenancy. We'll aim to return the deposit quickly in discussion with the landlord.

If necessary Letting Solutions will mediate between the landlord and tenant to secure a fair outcome in the event of any disputes resulting from the tenancy or issues relating to return of the deposit. > Top

Should you want to rent a bigger property or move to another location, Letting Solutions will identify another flat or house for you and manage the transition from one tenancy to the other.