HEPI has previously published two blogs outlining how this Bill might affect student accommodation. This two-part blog analyses recent developments and suggests that the current proposals will actually reduce rather than enhance housing rights for students.
Whilst fixed-term tenancy arrangements will remain the norm for purpose-built student accommodation, it is proposed to keep off-street properties (described in this case as a residential property that is being used to house students) inside the proposals for tenure reform. This means that students in off-street properties would have the security of tenure to remain as tenants until they gave notice, but would have the flexibility to be able to give two months’ notice throughout their tenancy. Such an approach would inevitably mean that the supply of off-street student housing would soon be out of kilter with the academic year. Many in the education sector have rightly concluded that if students were to be treated just like any other tenant then landlords on the receiving end of a notice to quit would look for replacement tenants in the wider rental market, which in turn could mean the property is not available for the start of the following letting cycle. A great deal of off-street accommodation would therefore cease to be available for students when they needed it.
In campaigning for students to be treated the same as any other tenant group, the National Union of Students accepts that the supply of student housing will be less. Chloe Field, VP for Higher Education, said “ending the use of fixed-term contracts will also enable students to settle in communities after graduating.” So, whilst fixed-term tenancy arrangements will remain the norm for purpose-built student accommodation, it is proposed to keep off-street properties (described in this case as a residential property that is being used to house students) inside the proposals for tenure reform. This means that students in off-street properties would have security of tenure to remain as tenants until they gave notice, but would have the flexibility to be able to give two months’ notice throughout their tenancy. Such an approach would inevitably mean that the supply of off-street student housing would soon be out of kilter with the academic year.
