Estates Property Management

The team are responsible for all strategic and operational property and asset management activities across the University of Edinburgh’s extensive portfolio.

They ensure optimised use of existing assets, support future institutional ambitions for growth and enable the transformation of the University’s world-class estate.

The key priorities for the team are to deliver an Estate that is financially sustainable and spatially fit for purpose.

The University of Edinburgh provides Innovation accommodation to hundreds of tenants across the estate. Our roles involve developing and implementing asset and property management strategies for these Innovation Spaces.

The Data-Driven Innovation Hubs and Innovation Spaces are world-renowned for their focus on Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Microelectronics, Biomedical Science, and Agricultural Science.

These industrial sectors play an important role in advancing research, collaboration and growing the local and national economy.

There are ten buildings within the estate that host these commercial tenants, which includes:

Central Edinburgh Area – Bayes Centre and Edinburgh Futures Institute
Easter Bush – Charnock Bradley Building, Roslin Institute Building, Alexander Robertson Building and Large Animal Research & Imaging Facility
BioQuarter - Institute for Regeneration and Repair (North and South) and Usher Building
King's Buildings – Murchison House and Scottish Microelectronics Centre

There are a variety of types of companies that we host:

University Spin-Outs (that require access to specialist equipment or people)
External companies that are looking to partner with us
Incubator companies which are looking for offices/labs in the early part of their journey

There are three types of accommodation used for commercial innovation activity within the estate:

Office Accommodation
Lab Accommodation
Incubator Accommodation

The University also owns non-innovation spaces which are leased to external tenants these comprise of:

Retail Units

These are leased out to external commercial tenants. The Property Management team manage the leases – this includes:

Leasing/letting
Lease management - rent reviews/lease renewals
General issues – repairs
Finance – invoicing and instructing finance

Garages

The University owns several garages which are leased out to external tenants.

Residential

There are a handful of residential properties that are managed by ourselves.

Aerials

These involve complex leases, repairs and installations.

Farm Related Occupiers & Others

Industrial units, land and boat houses.

The role of an Estates Property Manager involves:

Maximising the rental income from the University’s estate
The acquisition and disposal of property
Provide advice on land ownership issues
Carrying out valuations
Instructing and liaising with solicitors and agents regarding any property transactions, disputes or issues
Negotiating on all aspects of the leased estate, including new lettings, rent reviews and lease renewals
The management of ratings
The upkeep of the estate’s leased property database
Responsibility for the management of all the title deeds