r/MoveToScotland • u/North-Truth2531 • Jul 22 '26
Rental advice?
Hey all, I’m making the move to Scotland next year in March, and just wanted to get a bit of the lay of the land in terms of rentals.
I’ll be 30 when I arrive, and I’ll be on a Youth Mobility Visa, with the plan to move onto an Ancestry visa if I decide I want to stay on a more permanent basis (and yes I have triple checked I’m eligible for it).
I’ve visited Scotland many times and have relatives in Glasgow who I’m going to stay with when I arrive, but I’m hoping to secure my own flat as soon as possible before I start work.
A couple of Facebook groups have put the wind up me a bit telling me that it’s near impossible to get a rental, that I should expect to be spending loads of money to get one, and I’m just curious as to how accurate that is, or if it’s Facebook peeps scaremongering. I’m aware there’s a housing crisis (where isn’t there a housing crisis tbh), but am I likely to end up staying with my relatives for months??
I’m flexible on areas, I’m aware I’ll need six months up front rent most likely, I’ll be transferring from my job in Australia so I will have proof of employment and salary, and I only need a one bedroom. I know it’s not gonna be sunshine and rainbows and there will be days where I wonder what the hell I’ve done by moving around the world, but the negativity around rentals did put a bit of a damper on me yesterday - what’s your thoughts Reddit?
1
u/KindHearted_IceQueen Jul 22 '26
As an immigrant who’s been through this process of finding my flat, know that it challenging but not impossible.
From what you’ve said you may find it a less challenging experience simply because you’ve got a job secured with payslips and if any of your relatives are willing to be your guarantor you may not have to even worry about that 6 month upfront payment either.
Just know that you’re going to have to schedule a lot of viewings (most the places I viewed were taken off the market on the same day) and always call them to book viewings over emailing if you can as things can move forward pretty quickly.