Salaries and costs
Recruiters in Edinburgh place lettings negotiators from about £26,000 to £32,000, with on-target earnings taking strong sellers into the £35,000 to £40,000 range. Property managers in residential blocks often earn between £30,000 and £42,000, with senior site managers in prime stock rising higher. Commercial property roles pay more, with chartered surveyors and asset managers above £45,000 once chartered, and bonuses tied to fee income or asset performance. Temp agencies set pay rates for viewing staff and tenancy administrators from about £12 to £16 per hour, rising for evening work. Typical recruitment fees in the city for permanent hires range from 12% to 20% of base pay, with executive search using a staged retainer. For temps, expect an hourly charge that covers pay, holiday, NI and the agency margin, which varies by role and notice period.
Qualifications
Many Edinburgh employers look for ARLA Propertymark training for lettings, with Level 3-style certificates valued in branch roles. RICS status drives salary and progression for commercial and general practice surveyors. Facilities and estates roles may ask for IOSH or NEBOSH, and client-facing block management often values IRPM or equivalent knowledge of Scottish factoring rules. AML training matters in sales and acquisitions, and right-to-work checks are standard across recruiters. New starters in front-office roles gain an edge with strong CRM use, clear email writing, and a confident phone manner.
Regional or geographic variations
City centre agencies handle stock for New Town, West End and Old Town, with high footfall from Waverley and Haymarket. Leith, Newhaven and the Shore see heavy rental demand and growing mid-market sales, supported by the tram. Edinburgh Park and the Gyle bring corporate landlords, build-to-rent operators and facilities teams, linked by rail, tram and the A720 City Bypass. Out towards Portobello and Musselburgh, families let’s move quickly, so negotiators there work fast-paced diaries and early evening viewings. Rural fringes toward Midlothian and West Lothian add commuter stock that changes pace during the school year.
Local hiring challenges
Agencies report skills gaps in experienced property managers who can handle compliance, service charge queries and contractor control with calm communication. Weekend and evening availability is a pinch point for lettings teams during peak months. Some roles need drivers for multi-site viewings, which narrows the candidate pool in city centre branches. Executive search briefs in investment, development and asset management want proven deal flow, which limits shortlists, so recruiters often pre-agree longer lead times and staged shortlists.
Roles and career paths
Entry routes include trainee negotiator, junior administrator and viewing assistant. Progression runs to senior negotiator, assistant branch manager and branch manager on the residential side. In block management, the assistant property manager reports to the portfolio manager and then to regional roles. From commercial surveyor to senior surveyor to associate is common, with asset and development management pulling in analysts who can model cash flows and present to boards. Facilities paths move from coordinator to facilities manager, then to area roles across business parks and mixed-use sites.
Seasonal trends
February to June is busy in sales and lettings, then late August to October brings the student and graduate rental surge. December slows for moves, yet back-office hiring often picks up then to prepare for January pipelines. Contractors in maintenance see short lead jobs during cold snaps, so temp desks keep vetted trades ready at short notice. Auction cycles and year-end asset reviews lift demand for valuations support in late Q4.
Executive search and senior appointments
Employment firms with a real estate desk run retained searches for heads of lettings, regional operations, investment managers and development leaders. Briefs set candidate maps across Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Central Belt, with relocation possible for the right person. Employers agree on milestones, market mapping, first-round interviews, and final-offer support. Confidentiality clauses are important for off-market moves and are handled carefully by experienced recruitment consultants.
Compliance and standards
For Scotland, tenancy law and deposit handling require careful processes, so recruiters prize candidates who can explain notices, repairs reporting, and deposit disputes with clarity. Property managers working in mixed-use buildings should know contractor permits to work, RAMS packs and lift maintenance regimes. Roles that visit tenants in supported settings may ask for PVG checks. Sales teams follow AML checks for vendors and buyers, with record-keeping flagged at interview. Agencies brief temps on data handling and lone working before site access.
Common job roles agencies recruit for
Hiring spans sales negotiator, lettings negotiator, property manager, block manager, tenancy administrator, valuations surveyor, asset manager, development surveyor, facilities coordinator, concierge and building manager. Temp agencies cover viewings, inventory clerks, front desk cover and move-in support during peak weeks. Executive search targets investment, development, and senior asset management, with market contacts and track record driving shortlists.
Retention and workforce notes
Local employers keep good people with clear caseload limits, funded training and rota patterns that protect evenings. Surveying teams hold on to seniors with bonus plans that share fee wins. Lettings branches reduce churn when diaries are realistic, and maintenance requests are triaged early. Exit interviews often point to workload, line management and lack of progression, so agencies now promote mentoring and formal reviews at set intervals.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What fees do property recruitment agencies in Edinburgh charge?
Permanent placements tend to sit between 12% and 20% of base salary, with retained search on staged fees and temps charged hourly to cover pay, holiday, NI and the agency margin.
How fast can I hire staff for a lettings team during peak months?
A temp can start within days if compliance is in place, while a permanent hire may take 3 to 6 weeks from brief to start date, depending on notice periods.
Do agencies cover both sales and lettings roles?
Yes, most recruiters handle both, with some desks focused on sales progression, valuations and branch management, and others focused on lettings growth and property management.
Can job seekers register with an agency for part-time work?
Yes, many staffing agencies maintain part-time pools for viewings, front desk cover and Saturday negotiator shifts, which suit students or those seeking flexible hours.
Do Edinburgh agencies handle executive search for investment and development?
Yes, senior mandates are common, with market mapping across the Central Belt and shortlists built around track record and deal exposure.
What documents do I need to register with an agency?
Bring right to work proof, a CV, referee details and a driving licence if the role needs site travel, then complete the agency forms and any AML or data checks they require.
Where are the busiest lettings patches right now?
City centre, Leith and Newhaven remain lively, with tram links lifting enquiry levels and evening viewings staying popular in those areas.
Do agencies place contractors for property maintenance?
Yes, many recruiters place short-term trades and maintenance coordinators, often on higher rates during winter response periods.