The new Renters’ Rights Bill is set to transform renting for students in the UK. Overall, it aims to empower student tenants, giving us more security in our homes, more flexibility if things go wrong, and raising the quality of accommodation across the board.
There may be some bumps in the road as the student housing market adjusts (and we’ll all have to get used to new norms like rolling contracts). But knowing about these changes now means you can navigate them with confidence.
As students, our focus should be on studying and enjoying uni life, not worrying about unfair evictions or poor living conditions. This Bill is a big step toward a fairer deal for renters, and that’s something to be optimistic about.
So whether you’re signing your next lease or campaigning for better housing, remember that the law is (finally) catching up to support you. Stay informed, talk to fellow students, and don’t hesitate to use your new rights when the time comes.
Renting as a student is about to get a whole lot more student-friendly – and we’re here for it.
When will these changes happen?
The exact timeline isn’t set in stone, but here’s what we know: the Renters’ Rights Bill is expected to get final approval (Royal Assent) by late 2025.
Implementation will likely start in early 2026, government sources indicate the new rules could come into force within a few months of it becoming law.
Importantly, the plan is to introduce all the tenancy changes in one go on a single implementation date. On that date, every existing tenancy will switch over to the new system immediately. So any fixed-term contracts you have will automatically turn into periodic agreements, and the new protections (no Section 21, etc.) will apply right away.
What this means for you
If you’re currently in a fixed-term student tenancy that’s set to end June 2026, and the law kicks in February 2026, your contract would convert to a rolling tenancy in February. You wouldn’t have to move out in June unless you or the landlord actively end the tenancy (If you’re finishing uni, you’d simply give notice when you’re ready to leave; if you’re staying on for postgrad, you might be able to just continue living there).
This one-stage rollout avoids confusion of having some old contracts and some new, everyone will be under the new rules at the same time. Landlords and agents will be informing tenants when the time comes, but it’s good to keep this in mind.
For now
In the 2025/26 academic year, nothing changes yet! you’ll likely still sign traditional contracts for that period.
The shake-up will really be felt from 2026 onwards.
Mark your calendar and stay tuned to news updates around that time.
