Thousands of students are protesting against councils forcing them to move out of shared houses near universities to edge-of-town halls.
Latest to come under attack is Nottingham City Council, where the student union is leading a campaign against steps to take on strict housing controls.
More than 1,000 students have already signed a petition against the proposal.
Meanwhile, other campaigns are under way in St Andrew’s, Scotland; Oxford, York and Bath.
Students claim councillors are discriminating against them by adopting ‘article 4’ rules under the Town and Country Planning Act. These rules make landlords who want to convert a property in to a shared house apply for planning permission.
Around 30 out of almost 200 councils in England are consulting about taking on the powers.
Effectively, the powers let councils dictate where landlords can open shared houses. In many cities, students are the main tenants for these properties.
Teddy Smith, accommodation and community officer at the University of Nottingham Students' Union is heading the protests in the city.
"The implementation of the Article Four Direction is a matter of concern as it appears to be another attempt by the council to discriminate against students by dictating where they live,” he told a local newspaper.
"I object to this on the principle that students, as any other adult, should have the right to decide where they live.
"No other minority group would accept the terms on which the council sees fit to discriminate against the student population, who, as recognised by the council, help to make the city a vibrant and culturally dynamic place."
Students are also concerned living in purpose-built halls is more expensive than renting privately. Average rents in Nottingham are £105 a week for halls and £75 a week for a room in a shared house.
This can make a difference of around £1,200 a year in living costs for a student on a budget.
A Nottingham City Council spokesman said any views were welcome during the consultation.
