SouthSide is a team of hardworking, driven and fully committed individuals. We respond quickly and work with our landlords and tenants.
Landlord Information
Tenant Information
Southside has an ethos of “Property Made Simple” to make the Letting and Management of your rental property as straight forward and stress free as possible.
When did you join SPM?
January 2010
What are the main aspects of your role?
Legal requirements, Landlord acquisitions/investments and HR.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Keeping people legal and compliant!
Most interesting previous work?
Working with SouthSide has been more interesting than my previous jobs!
What are your hobbies and interests?
Travelling, days out with the kids and long walks with the dog.
Describe your dream home.
Country cottage
SouthSide was set up after John was unhappy at how other agents overcharged in various aspects from tenant fees to “hidden costs” for letting so he started to manage his own buy-to-let properties whilst working for Lidl. At Lidl he was responsible for finding, negotiating, acquiring, obtaining planning consent, building warrant and licencing which resulted in building 14 open supermarkets in Scotland & England. John developed his work ethic from an early age working on his family’s beef & sheep hill farm near Moffat before studying Business & Accounting at Edinburgh Uni. He funded himself through Uni from his teenage business selling free range eggs and running his own business in America between terms at university, going door to door, selling educational books and software to families. This enabled him to buy his first two HMO properties in Edinburgh back in 2004 and has steadily built his own portfolio since. His passion and knowledge for commercial and particularly residential property is unrivalled and has helped clients maximise their investments. He thinks like a landlord and has very strong basic principles and ethics regarding property for both landlords & tenants which are at the forefront of SouthSide and his colleagues. John works hard but ensures he has enough time for his wife and his sons James and Harris. In addition to work and family commitments John also spends time coaching football at a local Primary School, volunteering as a Scout leader and helping young people in business as a Trustee on the Board of Directors at Canongate Youth, a charity providing support, recreation and training opportunities for 5-25 year olds.
What are the main aspects of your role?
Looking after the day to day management of a portfolio properties across Edinburgh. Welcoming new landlords onboard; whether they’re brand new to letting or have been doing it for years and have decided to handover management to Southside. I am also a go-to person to help the property management team.
What is your favourite part of your role?
That no two days are the same! Building long standing relationships with landlords and tenants whilst ensuring they have a smooth letting experience.
Most interesting previous work?
Working as a Cabana Hostess at a beach club on Catalina Island, CA, USA.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Travelling, going out for dinner, the gym and dog walks.
Describe your dream home.
Somewhere with a lot of land – the dream is to have a space to rescue horses, dogs, goats etc.
When did you join SPM?
November 2015
What are the main aspects of your role?
Helping landlords and tenants and managing compliance and maintenance to keep properties safe. I also help our Property Management Team.
What is your favourite part of your role?
The variety that is involved with property management and generally helping clients and the team.
Most interesting previous work?
I’ve been at SouthSide for over 9 years in various roles and it is my most interesting work.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Football, the gym, running and going out with friends.
Describe your dream home.
A villa in Musselburgh
What are the main aspects of your role?
Liaising with landlords and tenants, managing safety and legislation compliance and maintenance, overseeing the letting and re-letting of properties. I also co-ordinate the property manager team to keep everyone Safe, Happy and Sustainable.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Dealing with maintenance and learning new things relating to all different trades every day. I also enjoy helping the team ensure their portfolios are compliant for landlords and tenants.
Most interesting previous work?
Head mixologist in a busy cocktail bar in the centre of town
What are your hobbies and interests?
Jet skiing, hill climbing and exploring new areas and towns.
Describe your dream home.
The bungalow from the Garfield movie.
Coming Soon!
What are the main aspects of your role?
What is your favourite part of your role?
Most interesting previous work?
What are your hobbies and interests?
Describe your dream home.
When did you join SPM?
September 2020
What are the main aspects of your role?
Resolving maintenance issues for landlords and tenants and keeping their properties compliant and well maintained. Also assisting the team where required.
What is your favourite part of your role?
I am excited to be given the opportunity to manage my own portfolio of properties and improve my skills and qualifications in this industry. I also enjoy using my knowledge and experience to help the team.
Most interesting previous work?
I managed and grew a portfolio of luxury short term holiday lets in Edinburgh City Centre.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Outside of work I like to enjoy travel, dining and spending time with my family and keeping and eye on the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and interior design.
Describe your dream home.
My dream house would be modern, bright and spacious with a sunlit veranda and stunning garden just outside the city.
When did you join SPM?
June 2019
What are the main aspects of your role?
Managing a portfolio of properties across Edinburgh and assisting the property management team where required including the training and development of new team members.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Building relationships with clients and continuing to expand my knowledge of the property industry.
Most interesting previous work?
Professional acting.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Acting, singing, dancing, plays and musical theatre. If I’m not performing in a show, I’m rehearsing one.
Describe your dream home.
I would love to build my own house one day. A lovely, peaceful area, very spacious, grand and traditional. A walk in wardrobe is a must.
What are the main aspects of your role-
Managing a portfolio properties and dealing with maintenance and compliance on behalf of the landlord and tenant.
What is your favourite part of your role-
Creating relationships with tenants and landlords, and providing a solution for any issues a landlord or tenant has.
Most interesting previous work
Education studies at university for 4 years whilst helping with my family business.
What are your hobbies and interests-
My hobbies outside of work are socialising with friends, travelling, and exploring the world.
Describe your dream home
My dream house to buy would be a detached house in Edinburgh which I can expand and make my own.
What are the main aspects of your role?
I am a Property Manager; I am responsible for the new properties who are going to be managed by Southside.
What is your favourite part of your role?
I love when new properties coming on the market with us from the initial steps to seeing them being advertised and getting let.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I like buying run down houses and turning them into something beautiful. I have just finished one property and about to start another.
Describe your dream home.
A vineyard in Constantia, South Africa with a pool
What are the main aspects of your role?
Managing a portfolio of properties, including compliance and corresponding with landlords and tenants.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Being able to help landlords and tenants and working with the team.
Most interesting previous work?
I used to work on Submarines in the Royal Navy.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I enjoy playing golf and watching the rugby.
Describe your dream home.
I would love to have a modernised, open plan log cabin.
Coming Soon!
What are the main aspects of your role?
What is your favourite part of your role?
Most interesting previous work?
What are your hobbies and interests?
Describe your dream home.
What are the main aspects of your role?
What is your favourite part of your role?
Most interesting previous work?
What are your hobbies and interests?
Describe your dream home.
Coming Soon!
What are the main aspects of your role?
What is your favourite part of your role?
Most interesting previous work?
What are your hobbies and interests?
Describe your dream home.
When did you join SPM?
January 2014
What are the main aspects of your role?
Propose, manage and complete property refurbishments.
What is your favourite part of your role?
The satisfaction of seeing something built that started as a proposed sketch come together to everyone’s satisfaction.
Most interesting previous work?
Voluntary work with youth groups and homeless charities.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Bikepacking, hill climbing and DIY.
Describe your dream home.
One with a good quality shed at the bottom of the garden with fast internet included.
What are the main aspects of your role?
I manage the refurbishments of our property portfolio, from the initial assessment of the works required, through tendering and appointing of contractors, to managing the works through to completion.
What is your favourite part of your role?
I love seeing the change in a property once the works are complete. Whether it is a simple bathroom upgrade or a full property refurbishment, it breathes new life into a property and provides the best accommodation for our tenants.
Most interesting previous work?
My previous career was in the food and drinks industry. I’ve created new chocolate bars and designed luxury whisky packs.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I love spending time outdoors with my family, going for brunch and a walk. I also love travelling to new countries and experiencing new cultures.
Describe your dream home.
A restored period property in the countryside with original sweeping staircase, roll top baths, and a kitchen opening on to a south facing garden.
When did you join SPM?
December 2013.
What are the main aspects of your role?
People! Recruitment, Training & Events and Marketing. I also manage our festival lets for visitors performing at the Edinburgh Festival.
What is your favourite part of your role?
I really enjoy the variety of my role and having the opportunity to build relationships with people involved in our business including landlords, tenants, suppliers, partner companies, festival goers and our growing team.
Most interesting previous work?
I worked in America during my university summers selling children’s educational books and software to families door to door.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I’m a real foodie so, eating out or home cooked meals with family and friends is always a favourite way to spend my time. I also love to travel and see new places – one of my most memorable trips being to South Africa which, included a 2-day camping safari in Botswana, it was amazing.
Describe your dream home.
A chateau in the South of France with cosy log fires, great views, an outdoor pool and a large kitchen that opens onto a terrace. Comfy beds and powerful showers are also a must!
What are the main aspects of your role?
As part of the property refurbishment team I assess, propose, tender out to contractors, and manage work through to completion. The role also consists of assisting landlords with improving their properties energy performance in line with the Governments proposal of a minimum EPC rating of C from 2025.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Seeing a refurbishment project through to completion and the satisfaction it brings to all those involved.
Most interesting previous work?
Placement work within a care home.
What are your hobbies and interests?
As a season ticket holder at Hibs, I enjoy attending games at the weekend, also watching motorsport and socialising with friends and family.
Describe your dream home.
Located in a village, where everyone is neighbourly and gets on with one another.
What are the main aspects of your role?
Assisting the Director and wider team in all areas such as diary and file management, research, travel arrangements and event organisation.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Being able to help the team in as many areas as possible to make their work lives easier where possible!
Most interesting previous work?
Arranging large scale, multiple venue events as an Events Manager.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Football and travelling all over Europe watching football.
Describe your dream home.
Villa in the sun with a swimming pool.
When did you join SPM?
April 2010
What are the main aspects of your role?
Marketing of new properties, daily running of the viewings and booking system and managing our Let Only Service.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Creating an advert of a an amazing property and trying to do it justice!
Most interesting previous work?
SouthSide is my first job!
What are your hobbies and interests?
Spending time with my son, Caiden. Socialising with my friends and going for weekend trips away to explore.
Describe your dream home.
Somewhere big but not too big that you’d get lost – plenty of space to relax and a games room for some pool or arcades.
When did you join SPM?
February 2012
What are the main aspects of your role?
Answering the telephone, responding to email correspondence and landlord letters.
What is your favourite part of your role?
When a new landlord comes over to us after receiving one of our letters.
Most interesting previous work?
I worked on a project for a year moving work streams from two of our offices in England to our Edinburgh office.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Holidays, socialising and watching old 80s and 90s sitcoms and detective programmes.
Describe your dream home.
A small bungalow abroad with a sunny terrace, small swimming pool and bar.
What are the main aspects of your role?
Providing support to the Property Management team, assisting with answering any queries from tenants or landlords and keeping our admin system organised and updated.
What is your favourite part of your role?
I really enjoy interacting and corresponding with landlords and tenants and finding solutions that all parties are happy with.
Most interesting previous work?
I worked in my village hotel as a waitress/receptionist.
What are your hobbies and interests?
My hobbies include reading and writing. I love all different genres of books and would love to have something of mine published one day.
Describe your dream home.
Historical with lots of character, house plants, high ceilings and a huge library
What are the main aspects of your role?
To ensure keys are secure and access can be gained when needed by contractors / Team members.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Always something new to figure out or solve.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Eating out , walking the dog , watching football , Traveling.
Describe your dream home.
4 Bedroom , detached secluded house with large front and back garden.
What are the main aspects of your role?
Taking calls regarding tenant applications, reviewing documents and accepting applications.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Every day is a new day and a new challenge. I really enjoy letting people know when they have been accepted for a property they are interested in – the reaction is different and unique every time.
Most interesting previous work?
Working in my family-owned car rental business, I learnt so much about different cars and models and I also got the opportunity to drive different vehicles to new destinations.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I enjoy horse riding and do this weekly. I also enjoy drawing and driving, with no specific destination in mind. I like eating too hehe!
Describe your dream home.
My dream home would be an old-fashioned detached stone mansion that is fully refurbished on the inside with an island kitchen, sauna and flat rooftop so I can sit up when it’s nice weather. It would also have 4 stables so I could have horses.
What are the main aspects of your role?
Processing applications, dealing with applications queries, creating PRTs for new tenants and communicating with colleagues to complete the application process.
What is your favourite part of your role?
When tenants find the right property for them and finally make the move. It’s a great feeling knowing you were part of the team that helped that happen. I also enjoy working in a central location, it’s a great part of town.
Most interesting previous work?
When I was younger I had a job where I got to travel a lot and see new places across the north of Scotland which, was interesting.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I play rugby for Musselburgh RFC and enjoy watching Hibs play at the weekends. I also like socialising with friends and trying new things as much as possible.
Describe your dream home.
My dream home would be a big penthouse by the sea with a games room, swimming pool, bar and other luxuries but most importantly a home filled with happiness.
What are the main aspects of your role?
Assisting the property management team with all aspects of property management.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Working with different individuals every day makes the job fun, but I also enjoy being someone who our tenants and landlords can trust.
Most interesting previous work?
Before working at SouthSide, I was a Crew Trainer at McDonald’s in Edinburgh.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I have always been interested in architecture and urban planning but never decided to pursue them as a career. I want to do something in life that people will remember.
Describe your dream home.
My dream home would be a Spanish Revival mansion, in a nice neighbourhood not too far from a city.
What are the main aspects of your role?
The main aspect of my role is accepting new coming tenants that landlord would like to proceed with. From then I review their documents and ensure all checks are completed before they pick up their keys. Also handle call that come into the office with enquiries about the properties we have online, and question new tenants have during the document checks.
What is your favourite part of your role?
That I have a part in them hopefully having somewhere they can be safe and call home.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I have always had in interest in theatre, musical theatre mostly. Socializing with my friends and going to gigs.
Describe your dream home.
My dream home would somewhere near a beach, large house with space for a karaoke room maybe a bar for great weekend of entertainment.
What are the main aspects of your role?
Property Viewings and Visits.
What is your favourite part of your role?
The variety of my role means that I learn something new every day.
Most interesting previous work?
Teaching community IT classes in Mombasa, Kenya.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Drawing, painting and watching and playing sport.
Describe your dream home.
A luxury treehouse with a games room, a sauna and a slide.
When did you join SPM?
November 2013
What are the main aspects of your role?
Managing and creating our online forms system. As Head of Property Visits I organise property visits & keeping a record of all visits that happen. I arrange and carry out physical viewings with prospective tenants.
What is your favourite part of your role?
Meeting and helping people, and the mixture of roles I have.
Most interesting previous work?
Trainee sky dive instructor in Tokyo.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Football, supporting my team, eating out, going on holidays and making memories.
Describe your dream home.
A large house with a swimming pool and tennis court, also with an underground train link back to my home town.
What are the main aspects of your role?
Viewings, Routine Property Visits and anything else the day brings.
What is your favourite part of your role?
The interaction between clients and colleagues.
Most interesting previous work?
Doing some presentation work for BBC Radio when David Bowie died. Since then, I have been interviewed a couple of times and provided information for a couple of shows regarding Bowie.
What are your hobbies and interests?
My interests are very varied however I am a lifelong David Bowie/music fan and have an extensive collection of Bowie memorabilia and music.
Describe your dream home.
Something large and rambling with themed rooms, a cinema, a music room and some grounds.
What are the main aspects of your role?
The main aspect of my role is to carry out RPVs
So I work with the property manager to ensure all our tenants are happy and the properties don’t have any issues.
What is your favourite part of your role?
My favourite part of my role is meeting new people everyday and building a rapport so that they remember you the next time.
I love to talk.
When I enter a property I always look for something I can chat about, LEGO is always a good conversation starter.
Most interesting previous work?
During 1998 I was spending time on holiday in France and through a friend who owns a security company offered me some driving work.
The World Cup was on and Lyon was a host city, so I drove FIFA officials around the place.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I love my trainers and my watches and have too many according to my wife.
I like to refurbish furniture and I am currently working on a chair with a broken leg.
I do a bit of buying and selling antiques and I love cooking.
Describe your dream home.
My Dream home is anywhere my wife and my family are, I have 2 daughters and a son and also two grandsons Dougie and Sully and they are my world.
When did you join SPM?
May 2019
What are the main aspects of your role?
Managing contractor invoices and dealing day to day accounting tasks.
What is your favourite part of your role?
The wide variety of tasks and responsibilities.
Most interesting previous work?
Assistant at (once upon a time) the best seafood restaurant in Scotland – Sea Food Temple.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Fitness, Reading and Zoology.
Describe your dream home.
A simple ‘hobbit house’ (roof has vegetation growing out of it) – nowhere near any other houses.
When did you join SPM?
April 2013
What are the main aspects of your role?
Accounts, Non-Resident Landlords, Payroll.
What is your favourite part of your role?
I enjoy reconciling the accounts for the business.
Most interesting previous work?
I worked in local government dealing with grants for Scottish museums and art galleries which was interesting.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I enjoy walking and visiting castles and historic sites.
Describe your dream home.
A castle by the sea.
When did you join SPM?
October 2015
What are the main aspects of your role?
Processing rents and statements, checking and chasing arrears and processing invoices. I also help and support the Accounts team.
What is your favourite part of your role?
The sheer variety the role provides. There’s always something interesting and different each day.
Most interesting previous work?
Stock controller – lots of maths and creative thinking involved.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Reading, long country walks with my family and margarita movie nights.
Describe your dream home.
Cosy brick home with a large garden and a real fireplace.
When did you join SPM?
February 2019
What are the main aspects of your role?
Processing Rent, Processing Invoices and Company Accounts
What is your favourite part of your role?
Getting everyone paid on time.
Most interesting previous work?
Bar work abroad.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Reading, shopping and socialising..
Describe your dream home.
Open, bright, and spacious.
What are the main aspects of your role?
I assist with all incoming funds from tenants and landlords as well as preparing the Monthly Rental Statements (MRS) and invoices from local suppliers, ensuring they get paid on time.
What is your favourite part of your role?
The variety of tasks on a day-to-day basis and the fast paced environment. The camaraderie is a big part of the job too…team work is a must!
Most interesting previous work?
Manager at a Rock bar/restaurant with live bands playing daily.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I am very passionate about cooking as I find being able to create a beautiful meal from a few simple ingredients is very rewarding. I also love sports (mostly football and international rugby union) but almost all of my free time is spent with the three most important people in my world; my beautiful 1-year old daughter, my partner, and my bulldog Leila.
Describe your dream home.
A big Gothic or Edwardian style Casa Royale on Lake Como with its own vineyard. That’s the dream.
Coming Soon!
What are the main aspects of your role?
What is your favourite part of your role?
Most interesting previous work?
What are your hobbies and interests?
Describe your dream home.