South Side Management

SouthSide Property Management is an Edinburgh-based letting agency that commenced operations in 2009. The company was founded by John, who identified a need for more transparent and fairly priced services for landlords and tenants in the local market. Having experience as a landlord himself, John initially managed his own buy-to-let properties while completing a graduate management programme. The firm operates with an ethos of "Property Made Simple," aiming to streamline the letting and management process for rental properties.

SouthSide Property Management has established itself as one of the leading agents in Edinburgh. Since its establishment, SouthSide Property Management has experienced consistent growth, evolving from its founder managing personal properties to employing a team of approximately 40 full and part-time individuals. The company places emphasis on fostering long-term relationships, a commitment reflected in its team retention, with over half of its members having been with the firm for between five and fifteen years, excluding recent recruits. To support professional and personal development, the company closes its office early two to four times annually for training sessions.

SouthSide Property Management's core company values are identified as Safe, Happy, and Sustainable. The firm provides comprehensive letting and management services designed for both landlords and tenants. SouthSide Property Management maintains a transparent approach to its fee structure, notably not charging hidden fees for services such as marketing, tenancy agreements, handovers, maintenance, inspections, or renewal fees. The company's standard full management service is offered at 9% plus VAT, with a reduced management fee of 6% plus VAT available when the firm takes over the management of a property with an existing tenant.

The company also advertises properties on major letting portals such as Citylets, Zoopla, and Rightmove. Landlords benefit from services including efforts to achieve minimum vacancy periods, quarterly property inspections with photographic reports, and access to negotiated prices from approved contractors for repairs and maintenance, without the company taking commission on these works. For tenants, SouthSide Property Management offers a 24-hour emergency line for urgent repairs, a fast maintenance service, and the use of an independent inventory, check-in, and check-out company. The firm also provides a dedicated property manager for maintenance needs and a Tenant App for reporting issues.

Notably, the company states it has never charged tenancy fees, with tenants only paying the deposit and first month's rent upon signing an agreement. SouthSide Property Management actively manages Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), with the founder's personal portfolio including such properties. The company offers early access to HMO properties for students and provides resources on the benefits of HMO properties for both landlords and tenants, indicating a focus on student accommodation within its broader residential letting services. SouthSide Property Management is committed to delivering customer excellence to all its clients, including landlords, tenants, and suppliers.

The company aims to provide a personalised service, offering a single point of contact for landlords and tenants. Its operational systems are regularly updated to remain current with housing legislation and market changes. The team includes 14 professionals who hold MARLA and LETWELL qualifications, and the Operations Director holds ARLA and SafeAgent qualifications, demonstrating a commitment to industry standards. The firm actively seeks feedback to continually enhance its service delivery.