There are hidden costs of being a landlord in Edinburgh that can slowly eat into your returns; many are completely avoidable
At first glance, being a landlord in Edinburgh seems fairly straightforward. You find tenants, they pay rent, and everyone’s happy. But after nearly two decades of working closely with landlords and tenants across Edinburgh, I can tell you that the reality is often more complicated than that. Rental income isn’t just about what comes in each month. There are hidden costs of being a landlord that can slowly eat into your returns. The good news is that many are completely avoidable with the right advice and approach.
Here are five hidden costs of letting a property and how to stay ahead of them.
1. Empty Periods Cost More Than You Think
One of the most overlooked landlord expenses is the cost of a void period when your rental property sits empty between tenants.
Every day your property isn’t tenanted, you lose rental income. But you’re also still responsible for council tax, standing utility charges, insurance, and possibly cleaning or staging costs to get it ready for market.
Let’s say your property should be earning £1,500 a month. That equates to £50 a day. Just one empty week caused by overpricing or poor planning can set you back £350–£400 in lost rent. And that’s before any standing charges or re-let costs.
Our tip: At Chapmans, we plan re-lets well before a tenancy ends. If a slight rent adjustment avoids a two-week void, it’s usually worth it. The rental market ultimately dictates the price and every empty day has a knock-on effect on your annual yield. Read more about pricing your property properly here.
2. A Tired Property Will Cost You in the Long Run
We often hear landlords say they’ll “just freshen things up” between tenants; a new carpet here, a touch of paint there. While that can help, surface-level fixes aren’t always enough. Properties that feel dated underperform on rent and experience higher turnover. That leads to more maintenance issues, more stress, and more unexpected costs.
Our tip:Invest in well-presented interiors. It doesn’t have to be luxury but better presented properties lead to better tenants, fewer voids, and stronger returns.
3. Small Repairs Left Untreated Become Big Expenses
One of the most common and costly mistakes landlords make is ignoring small maintenance issues like that tiny drip under the sink or loose seal in the shower seems harmless. Or at least until they cause rot, mould, or even water damage that requires a full bathroom refit. We’ve seen it happen.
Our tip: Prevention is cheaper than cure. We carry out regular property inspections and advise landlords on proactive maintenance to prevent expensive repairs.
4. Choosing the Right Tenant Saves Time and Money
Rent arrears, legal disputes, and early lease terminations are among the most expensive problems landlords face. And most of them start with the wrong tenant. Choosing the right tenant is about understanding the person, their circumstances, and whether they’re the right fit for your property. Especially under Scotland’s tenant-friendly legal framework, getting this wrong can be costly, financially and emotionally.
Our tip: Never rush the tenant selection process. It’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make, but be prompt in responding to great applicants. Read our full guide with tips on how to find the right tenant.
5. Energy Efficiency Adds Value to Your Property
Energy-efficient rental properties are no longer a “nice to have.” Improved insulation, double glazing, and modern heating controls make homes more comfortable and affordable to run, which is good news for both tenants and landlords.
Our tip: We advise landlords on cost-effective ways to improve EPC ratings in Scotland
and reduce energy bills from draft-proofing to upgrading heating systems. These investments often pay for themselves in better rents and happier tenants.
Being a landlord today is about managing your property well and staying ahead of costs. Whether you’ve got one property or a portfolio, a little foresight can go a long way to keeping tenants happy and making smart decisions to protect your income long term.
If you’d like to know if your property is priced correctly or areas where you could save, come and talk to us to find out more about how working with Chapmans can help you as a landlord. Book a discovery call or try our free valuation tool.
Take a closer look at what the Edinburgh rental market was doing in 2025 Q2 with the latest Citylets report.
