Accommodation for Center Parcs Contractors

The Center Parcs Scottish Borders development is bringing hundreds of construction jobs to the region. If you're a contractor heading to the site, finding the right accommodation is one of the first things to sort out. This guide covers where to look, what to expect, and how renting works in Scotland.

Where to rent near the Center Parcs site

Several Scottish Borders towns are within easy commuting distance of the Center Parcs development, each offering different price points and availability:

• Hawick — the closest major town with the most rental stock. Good selection of flats and houses at affordable rents. Most contractors base themselves here.
• Jedburgh — a smaller market town with a quieter feel. Fewer properties but competitive rents and a short drive to site.
• Kelso — attractive market town on the Tweed with a good range of rental properties. Slightly higher rents but excellent amenities.
• Selkirk — compact town with affordable housing. Well positioned between the A7 and A68 corridors.
• Galashiels — the largest town in the central Borders with the widest choice of rental properties, supermarkets, and services. Connected to Edinburgh by the Borders Railway.

What you can expect to pay

Rents in the Scottish Borders are substantially lower than in Scotland's cities. As a rough guide for 2026:

• Room in a shared house: £300–£500 pcm, often including bills
• 1-bed flat: £400–£700 pcm
• 2-bed flat or house: £550–£900 pcm
• 3-bed house: £700–£1,100 pcm

Many landlords include council tax in furnished lets aimed at contractors, but always confirm what's included before signing.

Flexible tenancies for contractors

Scotland's Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) is well suited to contractor work. Key points:

• No minimum term — the tenancy is open-ended, so you're not locked into a 6- or 12-month lease
• 28 days' notice to leave — you can give notice at any time and leave within a month
• No letting fees — agents in Scotland cannot charge tenants for referencing, admin, or check-in
• Deposit protection — your deposit (typically one month's rent) must be held in an approved scheme

Some landlords also offer shorter-term furnished lets outside the PRT framework. These require a short-term let licence from Scottish Borders Council. Ask the landlord to confirm their licence status before committing.

What to look for in contractor accommodation

• Furnished: most contractors need a place that's ready to move into. Filter for furnished properties in your search
• Parking: essential if you're driving to site. Most Borders properties include parking, but verify before you book
• Broadband: check coverage at your address — rural areas can vary. Galashiels and Hawick have the best fibre coverage
• Bills included: some furnished lets include utilities, which simplifies budgeting for a temporary stay

Getting around

A car is strongly recommended for working in the Scottish Borders. Public transport links between towns exist but services are infrequent, particularly early mornings and evenings. The main road corridors are:

• A7 — runs north–south through Galashiels, Selkirk, and Hawick
• A68 — runs north–south through Jedburgh and on to Edinburgh
• A698/A699 — connects Hawick to Kelso east–west

Journey times between Borders towns are typically 20–40 minutes. From Galashiels, Edinburgh is around an hour by car or 55 minutes on the Borders Railway.

Essential services for contractors

The larger Borders towns have everything you need day-to-day:

• Supermarkets: Tesco and Aldi in Hawick, Tesco in Galashiels and Kelso
• Trade supplies: Screwfix and Jewson branches in Galashiels and Hawick
• Gyms: leisure centres in Hawick, Galashiels, Kelso, and Jedburgh
• Healthcare: GP surgeries and a minor injuries unit at Borders General Hospital in Melrose

How to find and secure a rental

1. Search early — as contractor numbers increase, the best properties will go quickly. Start looking as soon as you have confirmed dates. Browse available properties now.
2. Have documents ready — landlords and agents will want proof of employment or a contract confirmation, photo ID, and sometimes a reference from a previous landlord.
3. Consider sharing — if you're working with colleagues, renting a 2- or 3-bed property and splitting costs can be significantly cheaper than renting alone.
4. Contact agents directly — local letting agents often know about properties before they're listed online. It's worth registering with several agents to get early notice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent without a local address?

Yes. Most landlords understand that contractors are moving from elsewhere. A confirmed employment contract and photo ID are usually sufficient. Some agents may ask for a guarantor or an additional month's rent upfront.

Are there options if I only need accommodation for a few weeks?

For very short stays (under a month), look at serviced accommodation, B&Bs, or holiday lets in the area. For anything longer, a standard PRT rental is usually better value. Remember, you can leave a PRT with just 28 days' notice.

I'm bringing a pet — will that be a problem?

Some landlords accept pets, though it's less common in furnished lets. Use the pet-friendly filter on our property search to narrow your options, or ask agents directly — many landlords will consider pets on request.

Search rental properties in the Scottish Borders or read our guide to renting near the Center Parcs site for more detail on specific areas.