Glasgow’s housing shortage, combined with rising rents and Govanhill's growing popularity, has resulted in a highly competitive rental market where it often feels like landlords hold all the power. Having moved flats almost every year for the past five years, here are a few key lessons one renter learned along the way.

By Emily Menger-Davies | Illustration by Aled Haywood

Finding a Home

When searching for a property, some useful property sites to check include Rightmove, Zoopla, Citylets, and On the Market. Additionally, looking up local letting agents and their websites can be helpful, as they sometimes post properties on their own sites before listing them on major platforms like Rightmove.

You can also apply for housing with social landlords, such as Govanhill Housing Association or Southside Housing Association. These organizations offer social housing and mid-market rent options for people on low to modest incomes. To apply, you will need to fill out a form, which will be assessed. If eligible, you will be placed on a housing waiting list and notified if a suitable property becomes available.

Private landlords often post properties on Gumtree as the listings are free. I have had success with this in the past, but these listings are less regulated, so it’s important to approach them critically. In my experience, I have yet to see a property listing on Facebook Marketplace that looks genuine, and I would recommend steering clear of them. However, you might find legitimate ads in local Facebook groups.

That said, when I was looking for a flatshare as a student, I found my flatmate (and now dear friend) through a flatshare page on Facebook. Spareroom can also be a useful resource for finding flatmates. In my case, my future flatmate posted about needing someone who was comfortable with her getting a cat. We met on Zoom, had a great conversation, and ended up happily co-parenting the sweetest feline for the next four years.

Finding a Home

When searching for a property, some useful property sites to check include Rightmove, Zoopla, Citylets, and On the Market. Additionally, looking up local letting agents and their websites can be helpful, as they sometimes post properties on their own sites before listing them on major platforms like Rightmove.

You can also apply for housing with social landlords, such as Govanhill Housing Association or Southside Housing Association. These organizations offer social housing and mid-market rent options for people on low to modest incomes. To apply, you will need to fill out a form, which will be assessed. If eligible, you will be placed on a housing waiting list and notified if a suitable property becomes available.

Private landlords often post properties on Gumtree as the listings are free. I have had success with this in the past, but these listings are less regulated, so it’s important to approach them critically. In my experience, I have yet to see a property listing on Facebook Marketplace that looks genuine, and I would recommend steering clear of them. However, you might find legitimate ads in local Facebook groups.

That said, when I was looking for a flatshare as a student, I found my flatmate (and now dear friend) through a flatshare page on Facebook. Spareroom can also be a useful resource for finding flatmates. In my case, my future flatmate posted about needing someone who was comfortable with her getting a cat. We met on Zoom, had a great conversation, and ended up happily co-parenting the sweetest feline for the next four years.

Securing a Viewing

One key lesson I’ve learned about flat hunting over the years is that speed is crucial. Letting agents and landlords often allocate viewings on a first-come, first-served basis, and viewing slots can fill up within half an hour of a property being listed. To stay ahead, turn on property alerts on rental sites, keep tabs for these sites open on your device, and refresh them regularly since email alerts may not always be instant.

I also recommend calling the letting agent or landlord straight away, rather than relying on email, to secure a viewing before the spots fill up. Unfortunately, viewing appointments tend to be inflexible and often fall during the workday. Take the earliest available viewing, even if it means sending a friend in your place, as the listing may be gone by the time you get a chance to visit.

At a Viewing

Bringing a friend for extra security and as a second set of eyes can be a helpful way to ensure you're making an informed decision. Be on the lookout for signs When attending a viewing, it's important to be observant and look out for potential issues, especially signs of damp or mould. These can include spots on walls or ceilings, or the presence of moisture absorbers (which can sometimes look like air fresheners) placed around the property.

Next Steps

If you're interested in a property after the viewing, submit your application immediately. Applications can close within the hour or may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you feel the property is overpriced, you can attempt to negotiate a rent reduction after the viewing. I've had success with this in the past, but be cautious—if the property is in high demand, this could be risky.

Before proceeding, always ensure that the landlord or letting agent is registered. You can verify their registration by searching for their registration number on landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk. It’s also important to have everything documented and signed before sending any money to avoid any potential issues.

Read more: Empowering Tenants: How to Stand Up to Landlords and Fight for Your Rights

Moving with a Pet

Having moved with a pet several times (shoutout to the aforementioned sweetest cat!), I can confirm that animals can make it more challenging to be chosen as a tenant. To increase your chances, you could offer to pay a higher deposit—within the legal maximum of two months' rent—to cover any potential damage caused by the pet. Additionally, providing a reference from a previous landlord who can vouch that your pet didn’t cause any issues can be helpful.

If you're moving into an older tenement and your pet is a cat, it may also help to mention that they are a good mouser, which could ease concerns about potential pest problems!

Stronger Together

From personal experience, I highly recommend reaching out to Shelter Scotland for support. They offer free, professional housing advice and have a live chat feature on their website, making it easy to get help. Additionally, it’s worth joining Living Rent, a tenants' union that advocates for fair housing.

If you require homelessness advice or assistance, you should contact Glasgow City Council’s Health and Social Care Connect at 0141 287 0555. For emergencies outside office hours, call the Emergency Out of Hours Homelessness Service at 0800 838 502. The council is required to provide temporary accommodation if necessary.