Archive For ‘renting in St Andrews’ Tag

We Are Now Accepting New Student Applications

Be Quick To Get Your Completed Tenancy Portfolio To The Inchdairnie Team

We are currently accepting new student applications for the academic year 2013-2014. It is our policy to offer our existing tenants the first opportunity to rent with us again and we have had an overwhelming number of renewed applications this year. There are however many graduates and those moving on and we do have a lovely selection of student properties that we will allocate through an application and reference procedure. We will be accepting applications up to and during the first week in February, so please pop into the St Andrews office with your tenancy portfolio and we will be sure to consider your application in full.

A Few Handy Hints:

Please ensure you fill out the application form neatly and correctly, include two up to date references – preferably from your latest landlord, and chose a group administrator to keep things easy with regard to correspondence from the Inchdairnie team. Also please note the precise number of those in your party and the size of accommodation you are looking for. We always enjoy meeting and interviewing prospective tenants and are looking forward to the busy few months ahead. Finally, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

The full guidelines and application procedure are clearly outlined on our website and can be found under ‘ Student Information’ along with the application form. The closing date for application is the 8th February 2013.

A guide to keeping your rental property warm and safe over Christmas

Five important steps to remember before leaving your St Andrews property over the Christmas and New Year holiday….

1. It can get very cold over the christmas period. Please leave your Central heating timer set to constant with the radiators turned to a low setting – Frost or setting No. 1 should be plenty. This is the most cost effective way to safely leave your home without fear of frozen or burst pipes over Christmas and New Year, and will save any large bills for maintenance in the long run.

2. Leave your property safely locked and secured. The Christmas and New Year holiday is an especially vulnerable time for empty properties and we strongly advise you to remove any valuables and check all doors and windows are safely locked.

3. Empty the fridge of any foods likely to spoil. Cancel any milk and newspaper deliveries.

4. Remove any refuse from inside the house and leave your property clean and tidy. Start the New year with a welcoming clean and fresh home!

5. To avoid disconnection of any services please make sure all your bills are fully paid up to date. Remember providers do have the right to break into your home and disconnect your services if bills remain unpaid!

And finally, The Team at Inchdairnie will be round to check any empty properties, so impress us all and follow these easy steps to make the Christmas holidays hassle free and to keep your home warm and comfortable. We wish all our tenants, friends and readers a ‘Very Merry Christmas’ and hope your holidays are filled with fun.

7 key points for checking into your new property

It’s exciting moving into a new home but we also know it can be a little stressful. We want everyone to enjoy their move and have devised a little list to help you on your way. Follow these 7 easy steps to help make renting your new home as easy as possible:

1. Always take your meter readings as soon as you move in and phone these into your new supplier as soon as you can. This will help eliminate any confusion and frustration with bills at a later date.

2. We strive to keep all of our flats in great condition but if you do spot any problems or maintenance issues when you move in, or if these arise at any time, make sure to contact your letting agency immediately. Furthermore, always be sure to follow these through – we don’t mind you chasing us up if further queries arise or problems have not been resolved.

3. Decide as a flat, what your policy on the distribution of keys are and inform your letting agency. Sometimes workmen need access; Some people are happy for keys to be given out by their letting agency with prior notification, whilst others feel more comfortable letting workmen in themselves. Have a think about your preference and let us know, so if anything does happen we can make the correct arrangements as quickly as possible.

4. Make sure to set up, and disconnect, your own internet connection – there are plenty of great packages out there!

5. Make sure to keep your flat secure at all times. Ensure that backdoors and windows are closed and locked before you go out and that your home is left secure when you are out and about.

6. Have a think about a heating plan for your home. Make sure you don’t neglect it in those cold Scottish winter months. We know it can be tempting not to use the heating to try and save money, however this often leads to other problems, including damp, mould, condensation and burst pipes. These can in fact incur far greater costs. We strongly recommend that you keep your home cosy!

7. Enjoy your new home and treat it with pride! We hope you all enjoy your time with Inchdairnie and are always happy to help with any queries and questions, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Letting In St Andrews : The 5 Mistakes Tenants Make And How To Avoid Them

Over the many years specialising in letting residential accommodation in St Andrews and the surrounding areas in North East Fife we have come across five key mistakes tenants commonly make. Fortunately you can avoid these pitfalls and be safe in the knowledge your search for the perfect flat or house in St Andrews will be stress free.

We have listed the five mistakes below with an explanation on how to ensure you won’t make them.

1. You don’t have a preferred location for your rented house

Whilst you may have decided you would like to live in St Andrews, have you made the decision as to which parts you specifically prefer. Is it important for you to be within walking distance of the town or are you OK with a property on the outskirts. Typically it takes 40 minutes to walk from the town boundary to the centre of town. If you aren’t a car owner it would be prudent to check on the local bus services. Stagecoach in Fife run services in, out and around St Andrews. Finally if you have children is it important to you to be close to a particular school? If this is the case we would recommend spending sometime walking around the neighbouring streets and getting a sense of how long it will take to walk to and from the school.

2. You haven’t set yourself a maximum monthly rental price

It’s an age old fact that people typically buy on emotion and then justify their decision afterwards. Logic seems to go out the window as they pursue the object of their dreams. We all do this from time to time but we must stress when it comes to renting it is crucial you set yourself a maximum price. This must be affordable within your monthly budget so as you have no hardship in making payment. Browsing our rental page will give you an idea of what you are likely to pay for different types of properties in a number of areas in St Andrews. In addition you will need to factor in the cost for Council Tax. Each of our listings clearly states the band for each property.

3. You haven’t determined the minimum number of bedrooms you will need

In our experience too many tenants fail to determine exactly how many bedrooms they require. Do you need a three bedroom house because you have two children, or will they share a large second bedroom? Do you need to allocate a bedroom to guest room, or equally will the smallest bedroom become an office? Talking the time to work out exactly what’s important to you in terms of living space will make your search a lot easier.

4. You haven’t decided whether a car parking space is essential

Is street parking sufficient for you or is it important to have your own driveway. If you decide street parking is all you need, are you confident the roads you prefer to rent in have ample space in the evening when returning from work. It’s important to do your due diligence now before committing yourself to a house where parking becomes a real issue and a constant cause of frustration.

5. You haven’t decided whether a garden is essential?

Everyone has different opinions on having a garden. If you haven’t got greenfingers it might be prudent to avoid a property that requires a large amount of care and attention to properly maintain it. Are you better suitable to a house with a small lawn? Have you factored in the cost of a gardener for general monthly upkeep if you decide to rent a property with large grounds? In our experience it’s important you carefully consider the type of garden you require.

By having the answers to these 5 key pointsyou will be better prepared to find your perfect home.

Please let us know if you have any comments? Don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts below. Are there other factors you consider more important than the five we have listed here?

It would be a pleasure to help you you find your new home in St Andrews. Please email gillian@inchdairnieproperties.co.uk with any questions you may have.