Students welcome flexible leases while landlords brace for rising rents

When the Renters' Rights Act came into force in May, it was hailed as the most significant shift for England’s private‑rented sector in a generation, promising tenants greater stability and security.

A key element of the reform is the removal of fixed‑term tenancies, meaning that students are no longer locked into contracts that run for the whole academic year. Instead, rentals are now on a rolling basis, with rent paid weekly or monthly and no predetermined end date. University‑run halls and purpose‑built student accommodation remain exempt, so the change mainly affects those renting from private landlords.

Eddie Lever, a 20‑year‑old who began his first year at the University of Exeter, experienced the new rules first‑hand when he decided to transfer to the University of York. Under the rolling agreement he could give just two months’ notice and walk away without further rent obligations. Because his tenancy was a joint one, his departure terminated the agreement for the entire house, but a friend stepped in to take his room, allowing the remaining flatmates to sign a fresh tenancy.

Eddie says that without the flexibility the Act provides, moving universities would have been financially prohibitive, leaving him trapped in a lease he could not afford.

Lewis Wilson, vice‑president for higher education at the National Union of Students, welcomed the change, noting that students can now return home for the summer without being tied to a lease that extends beyond their exams. He also highlighted the Act’s ban on evictions without cause, which gives renters confidence to request repairs without fearing retaliation.

Landlords, however, warn of new risks. Chris Norris, chief policy officer at the National Residential Landlords Association, cautioned that the ability of students to end tenancies early could leave properties empty during the summer or even earlier if a tenant drops out or has a dispute with flatmates. The loss of a guaranteed academic‑year tenancy makes it harder to re‑let houses to new student cohorts, potentially leading to void periods and ongoing costs such as mortgages, council tax and utilities.

Sue Lawes, who lets three shared houses to students in Norwich, illustrated the dilemma. She has already moved the start of her leases to August to reduce summer voids, but acknowledges that if tenants leave before the autumn term she may be forced to raise monthly rents to cover her expenses. Higher rents would increase upfront costs for students and could deter some from private accommodation altogether.

Both tenants and landlords are now navigating uncharted territory as the market tests the new rules. While students enjoy the freedom to move when they wish, landlords face financial uncertainty that could translate into higher rents or a reduced supply of student housing.