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Demand for Letfirst properties has outstripped supply as Edinburgh residents quickly sign up for the UK’s first assisted private rented scheme.

Since launching in July this year, leading property specialist Orchard & Shipman has received over 500 enquiries from local people keen find a home in the city.

John Taylor, CEO for Orchard & Shipman explained; “Since opening the Morrison Street office, we have received a phenomenal response. In just two months we have housed 62 people in good quality rented accommodation. However, the number of people looking for a home and registering with us is growing daily and we need new landlords to help meet this demand, and meet it now.”

Demand for private rental properties in the city is extremely high. Orchard & Shipman Letfirst urgently needs one and two bedroom properties in central Edinburgh, two and three bedroom homes in the south of the city, as well as a growing demand in the west of Edinburgh.

John Taylor added; “There are currently 250 people registered, looking for homes that they can move into now. This figure is growing daily and whilst we have a number of new landlords in the pipeline and new properties coming on line to help meet demand, we have an immediate need for properties.”

As a result of the City of Edinburgh Council’s (CEC) recent successful tendering of advice and support services, Orchard & Shipman was commissioned to deliver an innovative and comprehensive solution to help people find homes in the city. The result was Orchard & Shipman Letfirst, an assisted private rented initiative. It works by offering tenants access to properties without the traditional need for a deposit and advance monthly rent payments, thereby helping people into homes that without the scheme they would be unable to access.

The scheme offers many benefits to landlords, especially in a turbulent market. All properties are professionally managed by Orchard & Shipman’s experienced team, with a 6-month rental guarantee - unique to the private rented market - offering landlords greater flexibility and increased security. There are no up front administration costs and no inventory or tenancy agreement fees. With identified, registered demand there is also the great advantage of achieving a prompt let.