LOCALS are in disbelief at Edinburgh’s rental market, as a room has been advertised for rent with a shower opposite the bed.
Letting agent Rightmove put the room on their website this week, describing it as a double bedroom with “ample storage, sink and shower”.
The unusual set-up is within a nine-bedroom house share on Newington Road – which also has multiple bathrooms, two kitchens, and two living rooms.
Locals have been divided over the space, with some deeming the rent too high considering the strange design, and others considering the layout a practical alternative to a shared shower.
The property in “the heart of Newington” is said to benefit from close proximity to amenities in the city centre such as shops, bars, and restaurants, and is close to the University of Edinburgh.
The room for let looks normal, with a window, wardrobe and bedside table – until further pictures reveal a shower cubicle installed opposite the bed.
The glass enclosure stands next to a small sink and a desk, unconventionally mixing bathroom fixtures with bedroom furniture.
Though sinks are often seen in Edinburgh properties, as was the norm for those built in the Victorian period, a shower is far less common.
The room is available from next week for £750 pcm, which includes gas, electricity, internet and Council Tax.
According to the description, communal areas include multiple other bathrooms, but it is unclear exactly how many.
There is also a garden, two “fully equipped communal kitchens”, two living rooms, and a laundry room.
One local posted a screenshot of the listing to social media yesterday, saying: “Welcome to Edinburgh’s rental market where you can have a shower *in* your bedroom.
“All for £750pm.
“Saw this on RightMove today and had a nice wee giggle.”
The post received over 100 likes and 40 comments, as one shocked user commented: “£750 for a room in a flat that’s shared with eight other people.
“I knew rent was bad, but I didn’t realise it was this bad.”
Another said: “I maintain that Edinburgh has the weirdest flats in the world. Every house or flat I’ve seen has some quirk.”
Whilst a third remarked: “Not going to lie, I’d have that over a shared shower.”
And a fourth joked: “Doubles up as a urinal”.
Though a fifth complained: “I dislike this so much!
“The damp problems are going to be insane.”
The City of Edinburgh’s Lettable Standards, updated at the beginning of this year, state that bathrooms must be well ventilated with working electric extractor fans that comply with current building regulations.
A Property Letting Centre spokesperson confirmed today: “We take matters like these very seriously. To clarify, the property in question does indeed have a window, as it is a bedroom.
“Additionally, there is a fully functional extractor fan fitted, in compliance with any safety requirements.
“It is also worth noting that the tenant has access to another bathroom with a shower, which remains from its previous use as a guest house. The shower in the bedroom provides added convenience for the tenant.
“We conduct inspections of the property every three months, and we would address any mould issues should they arise during our checks.”
Rightmove has been contacted for comment.
