Record number of students already signed up…

Edinburgh residential property investment and lettings specialist Cullen Property is bringing the concept of personal shopping to Edinburgh students – making finding student properties safer, faster and more convenient.

Following on from the company’s introduction of virtual viewings in March, their personal property shopping service is the only one in the capital aimed at students looking for larger HMO (houses of multiple occupancy) properties for the coming academic year. 600 students have already registered and signed up to the waiting list.

The announcement comes only days after Edinburgh’s universities release plans to return in September.

Cullen Property Managing Director Steve Coyle, said: “Students are among those whose lives have been most severely disrupted by the coronavirus during this academic year, so it’s great news that Edinburgh’s universities are putting measures in place to allow students to return this autumn.

“Our service makes things simple and safe for our student tenants: they register with us and tell us what kind of property they are looking for. We contact them as soon as a suitable property becomes available and are able to match to their precise requirements. Students on our waiting list get first option at newly available properties ahead of them being marketed online. The next step is to arrange a virtual viewing. If we find a match, students apply for the property, pay their deposit and receive the keys.

“All of this can be done either virtually or by observing social distancing guidelines. Equally, we can easily adjust our process to accommodate updated government or university-issued guidance.”

Cullen Property aims to match 200 students with 60 suitable HMO (houses of multiple occupancy) properties before the start of the academic year.

Cullen Property Marketing Manager Scott Binnie said: “Searching for and finding HMO properties can be tricky and time-consuming. We hope that our new service will cut down on wasted time for both student tenants and our staff, whilst keeping all parties involved safe.

“As Scotland comes out of lockdown and social distancing guidelines are loosened, we do believe this will become part of our ‘new normal’ service due to its high level of  customer convenience.”

Cullen Property specialises in HMO property investment and is one of Edinburgh’s leading student letting agents, currently managing circa 400 properties in Edinburgh including 207 HMO properties. The Cullen Property team can source, acquire and transform a dated spacious Edinburgh property into a modern HMO licensed accommodation in prime city centre locations. The company introduced virtual viewings in March 2020.