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Student rental market hit by Renters’ Rights Act
8:55 AM, 1st September 2026, 3 weeks ago
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As the start of the academic year approaches, industry experts are warning the Renters’ Rights Act has disrupted the student rental market.
Speaking to the Financial Times (FT), a number of lettings experts warn the ban on rent in advance has created barriers for international students.
As previously reported by Property118, under the Renters’ Rights Act, renters can end their tenancy at two months’ notice and fixed-term tenancies will be abolished.
Struggling to access the market
Under the Act, landlords and agents can no longer accept large amounts of rent in advance.
Neil McGimpsey, chief operating officer at Lomond, told the FT that, previously, landlords who rented to students would ask international students to pay several months’ rent upfront instead of providing a UK-based guarantor.
Mr McGimpsey explains: “The act limits landlords to requesting one month’s rent in advance, meaning some students are struggling to provide financial assurances and therefore are finding it difficult to access the market.”
Valerie Bannister, lettings technical director at LSL Estate Agency Franchising, told the FT that the new notice rules have caused chaos in the rental market
She said: “The shift away from fixed-term tenancies in the private student rental market is not without challenge.
“With student tenants now free to depart immediately after their end-of-year exams, rather than paying rent throughout the summer, easy transitions between student households have been lost.”
Gives students flexibility
However, the government claim the Renters’ Rights Act does work for student landlords and tenants.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing told the FT: “Our landmark Renters’ Rights Act gives students the flexibility they deserve by removing fixed tenancies, so they can move as and when their circumstances change.
“It also ensures landlords renting to full-time students can seek possession of their properties in the summer so that they are available for new students to move into at the start of the academic year.”
7 comments on this article
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Member Since February 2024 - Comments: 73
2:50 AM, 1st September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
What a load of garbage! The minister of housing hasn’t got a clue how the renters rights act works in the real world and the problems it causes. Trying to get possession of a house for example is a nightmare – you can’t ask for it back easily, the process is months, and if they don’t leave (or do but don’t give you the keys back for example), you can then spend the best part of a year waiting for months at a time for the courts to even hear your case let alone settle it!
Comments: 1
7:06 AM, 1st September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
The minister is crazy and clearly has no idea on how this market operates. I have had to turn down students for short term lets which I can usually accommodate during void periods as I can’t risk not having the room back for the next student and turn down overseas students now unless they have a uk guarantor or use a company that guarantees rent so increasing the cost to them. I’ve written to our local mp who I’ve yet to discuss this with so given you can’t engage with local mps (as they are too busy!!!!) and you have people making decisions without really understanding the impact on providers I don’t hold out much hope for the state of the uk economy as a whole. When you provide a full service ie all contracted bills included in the rent ie cleaning, security, WiFi, management etc etc now we have to cover the voids when students give 2 months notice to move out at any time during an academic year. There’s been no discussion or understanding whatsoever how this market operates and the wider impact on both sides both landlord and tenant
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1661
8:11 AM, 1st September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
The RRA is designed to force student landlords to let to non-students. I wonder who they want them to house?
Labour don’t like educated people.as we have seen with their other policies.
Member Since October 2017 - Comments: 21
10:47 AM, 1st September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
I’ve been a student landlord for over 20 year. I’ve moved my properties away from the student market and next year I’ll be moving the last property away. It’s apparent that students want the best properties but live like squatters once there. I’ve just been returned a property and the house is a really great place to rent. One room was left like crack den, the domestic rubbish never recycled correctly, therefore complaints of rats, the first time ever. Dead rats found behind the freezer. And they argue the cleaning costs. I gave it to them having always a professional clean. They are disgusting, these individuals are the future but they have no respect and think AI has all their rebuttals! Goodbye Student rental market, you have cut off your nose!
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 418
5:27 PM, 1st September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
It is not rocket science.
What did the government think landlords would do if they have no visibility on income?
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 218
9:38 AM, 7th September 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris Jordan at 01/09/2026 – 10:47
It’d be interesting to know what you’ve moved your properties into, Chris. I’ve been renting out flats, bedsits, houses and factory units for over 45 years. I’ve experienced all the problems you’ve had, except the rats, as my regular inspections would have spotted them earlier.
I’m still keen on student lets, as all the problems you’ve pointed out would be covered by guarantors after a professional inventory check has been completed.
As I’m only 2 years into the student letting business, I’d love to hear your or others’ responses on where I might be going wrong.
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 248
11:49 AM, 7th September 2026, About 2 weeks ago
The RRA in the context of the student housing sector, is a classic case study of “if it isn’t broke, don’t try to fix it”. Student housing is generally a well oiled machine, clearly understood by students, landlords and agents. Groups get together, go viewing October through to March (depending on how well organised they are), book their house for the next academic year, move in August/Sept, move out end July or whenever the contract specifies. Rinse and repeat year after year after year.
The RRA has broken this in every aspect one can think of. Just a few:
No contracts can be signed more than 6 months before the tenancy start – that completely screws all the organised groups that like to get sorted before Xmas
No fixed terms – we are talking academic year here – they’re all fixed term FGS
Individual students can give notice at any time – totally screws things up for both the landlord and their housemates.
No more than 1 month rent in advance – what about those who don’t have a guarantor or overseas students.
Pets – What’s that all about? Students and pets are a disaster in the making
…. and so on and so on.
And to rub salt into the S24 wound, Rachel from Accounts clobbered us all with a 10% tax increase on all our gross income to £50k and a 5% increase on our gross income over £50k.
And then they act surprised when it all goes pear-shaped