University leased flats

Heriot-Watt manages a number of flats that are owned by private landlords but administered by the University. This means that your contract is with the University and you deal with our own Accommodation Office on campus, rather that direct with the landlords.

The flats are located in various parts of the city, usually near or on bus routes (25, 34 or 45) to the campus. Rents tend to be competitive and we monitor the standard of accommodation to make sure it is of an acceptable level.

Leased flats are offered to full-time registered students and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Unfortunately, we cannot reserve properties for you before you arrive as you must view the property before you secure your tenancy. You must have an unconditional offer or be a full time registered student and have no outstanding debt due to the University before you apply for a leased flat.

We only let properties as a whole; we do not allocate single rooms within flats.

  • Fully furnished, 1–6 bedroom flats located in Leith, Haymarket, Gorgie, Dalry, Chesser, Sighthill, Currie and Balerno.
  • No administration fees.
  • No guarantors required.
  • Deposit of a month's rent required to secure properties.
  • Rents vary from £275–£330 per room in flat (excluding bills and internet connection).
  • 12 month joint and several tenancy agreements on all accommodation. Contracts run September to August each year.
  • Issues/problems reported directly to the Accommodation Office on campus.

Download our Flats for rent guide to find out more about our leased flats and to see a checklist of things you should consider when looking for a flat to rent.

Finding a flatmate

There are several ways you can find a flatmate to help share the cost of living in a University leased flat:

  • Visit the Student Support & Accommodation Office to look through the "Flatmates" folder, which contains details and contact information of students who are looking for flatmates. You can also complete a form yourself and send it to us for inclusion in the folder.
  • Attend the Accommodation Office's information session at the start of each semester to meet other students who are looking for accommodation. (Events are advertised in the student enewsletters.)
  • Post an advert on the message board on Studentpad.