Welcome to the next chapter of my life! After three years of shared living in Edinburgh, I’m finally moving out to find a place of my own.
In a previous article, House-hunting in Edinburgh, I shared an overview of the main rental platforms in Edinburgh. Back then, SpareRoom worked well for shared flats. This time, with a different set of needs, I found success with OpenRent.
In this article, I’m sharing my personal experience renting with OpenRent in Edinburgh, along with practical tips, lessons learned, and things I wish I had known earlier. If you’re navigating the Edinburgh rental market right now, I hope this helps you feel more prepared.
Let’s get started.
Table of contents
Renting in Edinburgh: the reality
Renting in Edinburgh is competitive and expensive. I was applying around December, and flats were disappearing incredibly fast.
Sometimes, just one or two days after a viewing, you’d hear that the landlord had already found someone. Other times, you’d receive an automated message saying the viewing was cancelled because the property had already been let. It was honestly surprising how quickly things moved, although this may be partly seasonal.
Despite having some success with OpenRent, I was still actively searching across Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket at the same time. With that context in mind, let’s dive into how OpenRent works and how it functions as a tool within the wider Edinburgh rental market.
What is OpenRent, and why use it?
OpenRent is slightly different from traditional rental platforms. It is primarily used by private landlords and smaller independent letting agencies, rather than large corporate agencies.
The biggest advantage of this setup is direct access. In many cases, you are communicating directly with the landlord, which cuts out a layer of agency fees and overheads. In practice, this often helps keep rents lower than those listed by large letting agencies.
In my case, I found a flat at a price that felt reasonable compared to average rental prices in Edinburgh, and I was genuinely satisfied with the property.
For a broader look at how I approached house hunting in Edinburgh — including other platforms like Facebook groups, agent recommendations, and tips for temporary accommodation — check out my full house-hunting guide here: House Hunting Guide — Edinburgh. In that article I go into things like recommended agents (e.g., Umega), shared housing options, and how to tap into local communities for leads.
How OpenRent works in practice
Once a listing goes live, tenants can enquire or book a viewing directly through OpenRent. All initial communication happens inside the platform, so personal contact details are not shared until both sides are ready. This keeps early conversations contained and easier to manage.
OpenRent can also support the entire tenancy process, depending on what the landlord chooses to use. This may include identity checks, referencing, tenancy agreements, deposit protection, and first month’s rent collection.
When landlords use OpenRent’s “Rent Now” service, the process is fully digital. Tenancy agreements are legally binding, deposits are protected under a recognised scheme, and payments are handled through the platform.
In my own case, however, the agent did not complete the full process through OpenRent. We signed the tenancy agreement independently outside the platform. This is something that does happen on OpenRent and is not necessarily an issue, but it does mean tenants need to be extra careful and ensure all legal protections are still in place.
Another thing worth noting is visibility. OpenRent listings often appear on Rightmove and Zoopla as well, which means you may see the same property advertised across multiple platforms. This increases competition, but it also confirms that the listing is being widely promoted.
Communication and platform usability
One thing OpenRent does well is notifications. You receive alerts when a landlord replies, when action is required, and when you need to respond. In a fast-moving rental market, these reminders are genuinely helpful.
That said, I did find the messaging interface slightly frustrating. It can be difficult to see all conversations in one clear dashboard, and at times, it felt like I was navigating via notifications rather than having a central overview of all messages.
Incomplete listings: where tenants need to be proactive
One of OpenRent’s main drawbacks is inconsistent listing information.
Because many properties are listed by independent landlords, listings often lack the level of detail you’d expect from large letting agencies. With professional agencies, listings are often supported by PDFs and clear documentation, which helps build trust.
On OpenRent, listings may be missing:
Floor plans
EPC certificates or ratings
Detailed inventories
Clear information about insulation, heating, or energy efficiency
Because of this, tenants need to take responsibility for asking questions. Before committing to a viewing or application, it’s important to clarify council tax bands, utilities, furnishings, and any additional costs. Otherwise, key details may only surface much later in the process.
Verified Tenant status: why it really matters
OpenRent offers Verified Tenant status for a one-off fee of £10. According to OpenRent, landlords are 90% more likely to rent to Verified Tenants, as it allows them to quickly see that basic identity and referencing checks have already been completed.
Once verified, tenants can also see useful statistics on each listing, including how many people have contacted the landlord, how many of them are verified tenants, and how many applications have already been made. In a competitive market like Edinburgh, this information is extremely useful.
If you open a listing and see several verified tenants already enquiring, your chances are quite slim. In practice, it is often better to focus on newly posted listings and try to be one of the first verified tenants to get in touch.
Verified status lasts around 60 days and can significantly improve your chances of being considered.
The verification process
Despite its usefulness, I personally found the verification application form frustrating to fill out. As a foreigner who has moved around quite a bit, being asked for such an extensive address history felt excessive — I was asked to provide addresses going back almost ten years before I was able to move past that section.
That said, once submitted, the process itself was fast. I received my verified status almost immediately after completing the application.
Assessing landlord credibility on OpenRent
In my opinion, on OpenRent there are a few indicators that help with an initial assessment of whether a landlord is likely to be legitimate, even before arranging a viewing.
Some useful signs include:
The landlord has listed their Landlord Registration Number (LRN)
The landlord has been active on OpenRent for several years
Their profile shows a history of previously let properties
The landlord profile is verified and marked with a green tick
These indicators are not guarantees, but they provide helpful context when deciding whether to proceed with a conversation or viewing.
Edinburgh-specific legal checks: LRN and LARN
If you’re renting in Edinburgh, there are additional legal protections that are absolutely worth using.
Landlord Registration Number (LRN)
Every landlord renting property in Scotland must have a Landlord Registration Number (LRN). This confirms that the landlord is legally permitted to rent and that the property is registered with the local council.
By checking the Scottish Landlord Register, tenants can see the landlord’s full legal name, registration status, and the list of registered properties, including addresses.
If a landlord is reluctant to provide an LRN, or if the details do not match the listing, this should be treated as a serious red flag.
Letting Agent Registration Number (LARN)
If a letting agency is involved — even a small or independent one — it must have a Letting Agent Registration Number (LARN).
The Scottish Letting Agent Register allows tenants to confirm the agency’s legal and trading name, registered address, and whether it is authorised to operate. While a LARN does not list individual properties, it confirms that the agency is regulated and subject to statutory standards.
Basic rules to reduce risk
Based on my own experience, these are the rules I consistently follow before signing a contract.
Tenants should always ensure that a tenancy agreement is signed before transferring any money. Payments should never be made without having viewed the property, either in person or via a live video call. Requests for deposits or rent before a viewing or before a contract is in place should be treated with caution.
Following these steps does not eliminate risk entirely, but it significantly reduces the likelihood of problems later.
OpenRent: Who it’s good for vs not good for
| Category | OpenRent is a Good Fit If You… | OpenRent is Not Ideal If You… |
|---|---|---|
| Rental approach | Prefer dealing directly with landlords and managing the process yourself | Want a fully managed agency to handle everything end-to-end |
| Budget sensitivity | Want to avoid agency fees and keep upfront costs low | Are happy to pay extra for convenience and hand-holding |
| Experience level | Understand the UK rental process and know what questions to ask | Are new to the UK rental market and unsure what to look out for |
| Credit & referencing | Have UK credit history or can pass basic referencing | Are a foreigner without UK credit history or references |
| Property type | Looking for entire flats or houses | Mainly searching for shared housing / flatshares |
| Detail expectations | Are comfortable requesting EPCs, floor plans, and documents yourself | Expect fully detailed listings upfront like large agencies provide |
| Communication style | Are comfortable with online messaging and self-service tools | Prefer phone calls and a traditional agent-led process |
| Risk tolerance | Know how to verify landlords and spot red flags | Want an agent to filter and validate listings for you |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is OpenRent legit in the UK?
Yes. OpenRent is a legitimate UK rental platform that allows tenants to rent directly from landlords or small agencies. However, as with any platform, tenants still need to carry out basic checks and avoid moving off-platform too early.
Is OpenRent safe to use?
OpenRent is generally safe when you:
Keep communication on the platform
Never send money before viewing a property
Check landlord registration numbers (LRN) where applicable
Most scams reported online happen off-platform, not through OpenRent’s systems.
What is a Verified Tenant on OpenRent?
A Verified Tenant has completed identity and referencing checks through OpenRent. According to OpenRent, landlords are 90% more likely to rent to Verified Tenants, especially in competitive markets like Edinburgh.
Do I need to be a Verified Tenant to rent on OpenRent?
Technically no, but in practice, being unverified significantly reduces your chances. Many landlords filter enquiries based on verification status when demand is high.
Is OpenRent good for foreigners or expats?
OpenRent can be challenging for first-time arrivals to the UK, particularly if you don’t have UK credit history or previous UK addresses. Some landlords may request additional documentation or guarantors.
Can I find shared housing on OpenRent?
Yes, but OpenRent is not designed primarily for shared housing. Platforms like SpareRoom are usually better suited for finding flatshares or rooms.
Why are some OpenRent listings missing details?
Many listings are posted directly by landlords, not professional agents. As a result, information such as EPC ratings, floor plans, or property size may not be included unless you ask.
What is an LRN and should I check it?
An LRN (Landlord Registration Number) is required for landlords in Scotland. Checking it helps confirm the landlord is legally registered and links the property to a named individual.
Can OpenRent act as a letting agent?
OpenRent provides tools (contracts, referencing, deposits), but it is not a fully managed letting agent. Maintenance, communication, and tenancy management are usually handled directly by the landlord.
Is OpenRent good in Edinburgh?
OpenRent can work well in Edinburgh due to high demand and strong competition, but success often depends on being prepared, verified, and quick to respond.
Conclusion
Finding a place in Edinburgh isn’t easy, and OpenRent won’t magically solve the rental crisis or guarantee you a flat. What it does offer is another practical tool — one that gives you direct access to landlords, more transparency around applications, and, in some cases, more reasonable pricing than going through large agencies. If you approach OpenRent with realistic expectations, proper checks, and a bit of speed, it can absolutely be part of a successful house-hunting strategy in Edinburgh.