On 6th November, Accommodation for Students hosted a highly popular webinar exploring the use of Licences to Occupy for landlords of shared student houses and HMOs. This topic has become one of the most requested in recent years, driven largely by concerns about how the Renters’ Rights Act could impact the ability to let properties on a fixed-term basis aligned to the academic year.
Many landlords are worried that the proposed legislation removes the option to offer fixed contracts, example July to June, making student lettings more difficult to manage. One potential route being explored is whether fixed-term agreements might still be possible when using a Licence rather than an Assured Tenancy, provided certain conditions are met.
To consider the legal and practical considerations, AFS welcomed Ryan Heaven, Consultant Solicitor, and Ally Collins, Head of Research at Accommodation for Students, to share their insights and answer questions from the audience.
What the session covered
The webinar provided clarity on several key areas, including:
- The difference between a Licence to Occupy and an Assured Tenancy
- What types of services or arrangements might need to be in place for a Licence to be valid
- Who ultimately decides whether an agreement is truly a Licence or a Tenancy
- The advantages and disadvantages of using this model in student lettings
- The student perspective — including new research from AFS on attitudes to services such as regular cleaning
The discussion generated a huge amount of interest, with many landlords keen to understand how they can stay ahead of legislative changes and operate sustainably under the new rules.
For anyone who missed it, the full webinar recording is now available to watch.
