Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Estate Agents in Belfast for Student and Professional Lettings
Established in 1969, R S Laird & Son has built a reputation as a trusted estate agency in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Our expertise spans student and professional lettings, supported by over 40 years of local market experience. We are proud members of the Property Ombudsman Scheme and the Landlords Association of Northern Ireland (LANI), reflecting our commitment to industry standards. Our services include comprehensive property management, detailed inventory reports, and compliance with legal requirements such as EPCs and gas safety checks. With over 500 properties currently managed, we offer tailored solutions for landlords and tenants alike. Our team ensures efficient rent collection via BACS and provides regular property inspections to maintain transparency.Located at 5 University Street, Belfast, we combine local knowledge with professional integrity to deliver reliable property services. Our dedication to client satisfaction is evident in our proven track record of successful rentals and ongoing support throughout the tenancy lifecycle. We prioritize clear communication and adherence to statutory obligations, ensuring a seamless experience for all parties involved. As a family-run business, we remain focused on building long-term relationships within the community while adapting to evolving market demands.
Services
Student Lettings
Professional Lettings
Property Management
Tenant Screening
Compliance Certificates
Details
- Year established: 1969
Highlights and features
- Over 40 years of experience in Belfast's property market
- Members of Property Ombudsman Scheme and LANI
- 500+ properties currently managed
- No application fees for tenants
- Monthly rent transfers via BACS
Associations and certifications
- Property Ombudsman Scheme
- Landlords Association of Northern Ireland (LANI)
Services
Student Lettings
Specialized student accommodation services in Belfast, offering fully managed properties near universities. We handle tenant vetting, lease agreements, and compliance with Houses in Multiple Occupancy regulations. Our team ensures properties meet legal standards including EPCs and gas safety checks, providing landlords with reliable rental income and students with quality housing options.
Property Management
Comprehensive management for residential properties, including rent collection, maintenance coordination, and periodic inspections. We provide detailed income/expenditure statements and ensure compliance with Northern Ireland's private tenancy laws. Our services cover inventory reports, tenant communication, and proactive property upkeep to maintain asset value and tenant satisfaction.
Tenant Screening
Thorough tenant vetting process to ensure reliable occupancy. We conduct reference checks, credit assessments, and previous landlord verifications. This service minimizes risks for landlords while maintaining fair access to housing. Our approach balances due diligence with compliance to equal opportunities legislation, ensuring a transparent selection process for all applicants.
Compliance Certificates
Assistance with mandatory property certifications including Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Belfast City Council Certificates of Fitness, and Gas Safe annual checks. We coordinate registered contractors to complete statutory requirements, maintaining legal compliance for landlords. Our team provides documentation management to ensure all regulatory obligations are met promptly and accurately.
Property Inspections
Regular property condition assessments conducted with or without landlords present. We provide detailed written reports on maintenance needs and tenant care. Our inspections help identify issues early, preserving property value and ensuring adherence to tenancy agreement terms. Reports include photographic evidence and recommended actions for landlords' reference.
Questions
When are summer 2025 student properties available?
Properties for the 2025/2026 academic year will be advertised in February 2025 on our website, PropertyPal, and Property News.
Do you charge application fees for tenants?
No, R Stanley Laird & Son does not charge application fees for tenants seeking rental properties.
What services do you offer landlords?
We provide letting-only or full management services including rent collection, compliance certificates, property inspections, and tenant vetting.
How can I schedule a property viewing?
Contact our Belfast office at 028 9024 8072 to book viewings, with confirmation required by 9:30am on the appointment day.
What compliance documents do you handle?
We manage EPCs, Belfast City Council Certificates of Fitness, and annual Gas Safe checks through registered contractors.
Reviews (7)
Daniel Duddy
Dec 11, 2020
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Rented student housing with Lairds for 4 years and couldn't recommend them more. Always very professional to deal with and any problem we had with the house was always sorted quickly. They are very fair and after keeping the house in good condition we received our full deposit back which doesn't happen often in student accommodation! Would highly recommend if looking for a house around the Queen's area.
Conor Connolly
Oct 25, 2020
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Avoid at all costs. Honestly. I have been with many letting agencies and these are the worst of the bunch by a country mile. They will try and take every penny of your deposit for the most ridiculous and unexplained reasons. Please challenge everything through TDS because nine times out of ten you will get your deposit back as I have a feeling TDS themselves have began to recognize Laird as crooks. Thanks for the tenancy guys.
Matthew Ingram
Oct 14, 2020
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A great letting agent! Spent 3 years renting properties from them and their service was always superb. Very prompt with fixing reported issues.
Eleri Davies
Jul 25, 2019
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They were my estate agent for four years, without a single problem. Always easy to get hold of and would respond to and address any issues very quickly. Would definitely recommend
Chloe Wylie
Jul 13, 2019
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Have to say I would highly recommend Laird. My daughter rented off them last year and they were very fair to deal with in student accommodation. The man who own it is nice and helpful. Having now having a bad experience with another letting company I would definitely go back to Laird next time.
Kate H.
Sep 11, 2017
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I rented a property just off Malone Road from this agency for 2 years and it was a great experience - repairs sorted the same week, and any questions or problems answered in a friendly and professional manner. Re-letting the property was also pain-free with a small charge, and deposit etc handled fairly. After hearing horror stories from friends renting in Belfast (particularly concerning a Certain Particular Service provider) I thought many times how my dealings with Laird's seemed a lot more simple and straightforward. This was of course helped by a great landlord who responded to repair requests
Joe O'Riordan
Jun 16, 2016
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Rented from Lairds for 3 years in a row, 2 years in same property and in the final year we moved to a different property they looked after also. I was one of 5 students in the property and I have to say that we always found them to be very helpful and accommodating when we ever had any problems or repairs in the house. After 2 years in our first property we got our deposit back less a small charge for cleaning which was probably fair enough and at the end of our final year in the other property got our full deposit back. I find some of the comments on here a bit surprising and we'd be more than
