Edinburgh residential property investment and lettings specialist Cullen Property has introduced virtual viewings for its student properties.

Prospective tenants can use video technology to take a tour of their future home without compromising current tenants’ wish for social distancing or their own self-isolation.

Steve Coyle, managing director of Cullen Property, comments: “Every aspect of our daily lives has been affected by the adjustments required to adapt to this new coronavirus and it’s important that we all play our part.”

“Last week, we quickly moved our business to a work-from-home model to protect our team members but ensure continuity of service to our clients. Now, we we are launching a new system to help meet our client’s rental demands as we are still handling many property viewing requests despite the current climate. This is where the concept of virtual viewings comes from.”

The virtual viewings were the idea of marketing manager, Scott Binnie, who has been working with the company’s property and contracts managers, as well as Cullen Property tenants to set them up.

Binnie says that having prospective tenants walk around to take a look at flats while many students are currently self-isolating would be irresponsible at this time.

“Virtual viewings will allow prospective tenants to ‘take a look’ without current tenants being put in undue danger of catching the virus.”

While using video to showcase properties has been part of the viewings process for some time, it’s rarely been the only way of viewing a flat offered to tenants, until now.

Binnie explains: “Our virtual viewings take things a step further by trying to give the prospective tenants the feeling of actually being in the flat. They can be conducted by one of Cullen Property’s staff or by the current tenants themselves, if they prefer.”

“This way, we can minimise contact between people who are not already living in close, proximity. If tenants choose to conduct the virtual viewing themselves, our staff will work with them – by email or over the phone – to ensure we showcase the property favourably.”

Would-be tenants can book virtual viewings via Cullen Property’s website and will then receive a WeTransfer link allowing them to view the property. They will then be able to view the home as many times as they like, as well as share the link with potential roommates.

The lettings process will be similar while avoiding unnecessary meetings wherever possible.

Cullen Property specialises in HMO property investment, currently managing circa 400 properties in Edinburgh including 207 HMO properties. The Cullen Property team says its expertise is in sourcing, acquiring and transforming a dated spacious Edinburgh property into a modern HMO licensed accommodation in prime city centre locations.