NRLA urge MPs to amend Renters’ Rights Bill to protect student housing market

As students receive their A-level results today, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is calling on the government to protect the student housing market.

The NRLA, along with a coalition of student housing providers,  are urging MPs to support an amendment that would let all student landlords reclaim their properties at the end of each academic year.

Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, only student landlords who let houses with three or more tenants will be able to regain their properties to re-let to the next student cohort in line with the academic year.

However, under the bill, one- and two-bed student properties are excluded.

Limiting opportunities for students

The NRLA warns student landlords will leave the market due to not having the certainty that they can re-let these homes for the next academic year, leaving students in limbo.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, said: “A-level results day should be the start of an exciting new chapter for thousands of young people. But unless MPs act, future students could find their ambitions blocked, not by grades, but by a lack of somewhere to live.

“Without this change, the Renters’ Rights Bill will make it harder for landlords to offer one- and two-bedroom properties to students.

“This would break the student housing cycle, restrict choice, and risk undermining social mobility by limiting opportunities for students from all backgrounds.

“MPs have a final chance in September to protect the homes that make higher education possible, they must take it.”

Previously, Property118 reported the Renters’ Rights Bill could leave students worse off as more student landlords are leaving the market more than ever.

NRLA urges MPs to back amendment

Research from Knight Frank shows that almost two-thirds (65%) of first-time university applicants say the availability of accommodation influences where they apply to study. Nearly half of students (47%) already say they are concerned about a shortage of suitable housing.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) and student housing provider Accommodation for Students have written to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook and Higher Education Minister Baroness Smith of Malvern ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill’s return to Parliament in September.

The coalition is urging MPs to back an amendment that would allow landlords of one- and two-bed student properties to regain possession in line with the academic year. They also want possession Ground 4A to be modified to apply to “occupants” rather than “tenants.”

In their letter, the coalition says: “This would ensure that the Ground could not be used where one of the occupants is a child or dependent, meeting the government’s objective to protect families and vulnerable individuals.”

However, in an unfair loophole, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) providers will be exempt from the Decent Homes Standard and will still be allowed to offer fixed-term tenancies, while private landlords will only be able to offer periodic tenancies and must comply with the stricter Decent Homes Standard or face fines.