The government has confirmed it has not assessed how
theRenters’
Rights Actcould affect independent students who need somewhere to live
outside of the standard academic year.
In a written parliamentary question, Labour MP Nadia Whittome asked what
work had been done to understand the effect of the reforms on students
requiring accommodation between June and September.
In his response, housing minister Matthew Pennycook, said: “My department
has made no such assessment.
“The Renters’ Rights Act introduces a new mandatory ground which will allow
landlords renting HMOs to full-time students who occupy on either joint or
individual tenancy agreements to seek possession ahead of each new academic
year, facilitating the ongoing yearly cycle of short-term student
tenancies.”
He adds: “Students living in one or two bed (non-HMO) properties will have
the same security of tenure as tenants in the wider private rented sector.
“As is the case now, we would encourage students who wish to remain in their
accommodation over summer to discuss with their landlords.”
Independent student support
Independent students, as classified by Student Finance England, are those
without external family support during their studies.
For many of them, returning home over the summer is not an option.
Critics argue the shift away from fixed-term contracts towards rolling
tenancies risks leaving this group with fewer choices.
The Act also ends Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions but retains a loophole for
those in purpose-built student accommodation where fixed term tenancies will
remain.
Even for PBSA tenancies where 12-month options exist, rents tend to be much
higher than traditional house shares.
Annual student letting cycle
Warnings have also been raised by landlord groups about the timing of the
reforms.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) says the 1st May
implementation date will disrupt the annual student letting cycle.
Under the new rules, landlords relying on the student possession ground will
face a four-month notice period.
That means properties cannot be recovered until early September, too late
for August changeovers and incoming tenants due to move in on 1st September.
Student accommodation shortage
The NRLA says this gap will intensify existing shortages in university towns
and cities already struggling to house current cohorts.
Research highlighted by the sector suggests that student accommodation
availability influences where 65% of applicants choose to study.
And that raises concerns that housing supply could shape educational
decisions.
Risking student aspiration
The organisation has
previously issued a warning
alongside Accommodation for Students, UniHomes and Young Group.
The NRLA’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “The government has put
opportunity and aspiration at risk with this decision.
“The failure to protect the annual cycle of all student housing will shut
people out of higher education and make it harder for others to plan where
they will live.”
He added: “Limiting access to accommodation doesn’t just affect students.
“It will be of particular concern to many universities already facing
difficult financial futures.”
Student landlords need stability
Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said:
“Independent students are the ones landlords rarely hear about, but they are
often the most exposed.
“These are young people who cannot simply go home for three months, yet the
system is being reshaped as if everyone has that safety net.”
He added: “Student landlords want to provide stability, but policy timing
matters.
“What landlords need is certainty. Without it, investment stalls, student
properties leave the sector, and the students who rely on year-round
accommodation are left with fewer and more expensive options.”
