Think horses when letting cottages

Farmers who are considering letting cottages might want to add the option of land or stables as properties that come with paddocks or equestrian facilities are in high demand in Fife, Angus and Aberdeenshire.

According to estate agents Galbraiths, properties which are let with a few acres of land are snapped up within two or three weeks of coming on the books.

Residential letting agent Geoff Laird-Portch said people who are paying full livery for their horse can make significant savings by living in a property with the means of accommodating their animal on site.

“The cost savings can be quite substantial and it’s also much more convenient and saves them a lot of time if they don’t have to drive to a commercial stable twice a day to look after their horse,” he said.

“Tenants tend to be families or couples who are seeking to make the change from living and working in a town or city to realising an often long-held ambition of living in the countryside with their horse, dog and an open fire.

“Over the past 12 months the improvements to broadband speeds have played a major part in facilitating working from home.

“It is now realistic for one member of the family to work from home either every day or part-time, enabling more rural properties to be considered as their main residence.”

The lettings sector is far more heavily regulated now than in previous years and is facing additional regulation from December this year.

However, Mr Laird-Portch said this was not deterring potential landlords from entering the sector.

“We actually have more residential properties to let across Scotland as a whole now, compared with the same period last year,” he said.

“The main growth areas for us in terms of lettings have been Fife and Inverness-shire, but we find landlords in most areas are mindful that a more regulated industry offers benefits for both tenants and landlords.”

It saves them a lot of time if they don’t have to drive to a commercial stable twice a day