The Renters’ Rights Bill is currently progressing through Parliament and it’s sparked heated debate, particularly around how it affects student housing and fixed-term tenancies.
Last week, the House of Lords voted to expand eviction ground 4A, which currently only applies to HMOs (shared houses with 3 or more tenants). If this change is approved by MPs, it will also include 1 and 2 bedroom student properties. This is a small win for student landlords, as it means more types of student accommodation could be let in line with the academic year, helping with turnover and planning.
Fixed term tenancies are still under threat, despite most Landlords and tenants preferring fixed terms for structure, planning and peace of mind. An amendment was proposed to keep fixed-term tenancies, despite support from several Lords, the government rejected it.
Their reasoning is that once Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions are removed, they believe fixed terms won’t be necessary, arguing tenants should have more freedom to leave when they choose. If fixed-term contracts are scrapped, landlords and managing agents would lose predictability around tenancy dates, making it harder to manage student lets, and advertising of said lets, around the academic calendar While the expansion of ground 4A is a step in the right direction, many in the industry believe it’s not enough. There are ongoing calls for clearer guidance, more flexibility, and practical solutions that reflect how the student rental market actually works
