The Renters Rights Act risks undermining higher education by making it harder for students to find homes, an industry coalition has warned.
This group consists of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), Accommodation for Students, UniHomes and the Young Group.
They argue that the NRLA’s implementation timeline means student landlords will be unable to guarantee available homes for the next cohort of tenants.
HMO landlords who use the student possession ground (Ground 4A) shortly after 1st May (the start of the implementation period) will not be able to take back possession of their property until the first week of September, due to the four-month notice period required by the act.
This leaves a gap in which landlords cannot gain possession of their properties in time for August 2026, too late for incoming students, whose tenancies are set to start on 1st September.
Ben Beadle, CEO at the NRLA, accused the government of putting opportunity and aspiration at risk with the Renters Rights Act.
“The failure to protect the annual cycle of all student housing will shut people out of higher education and make it harder for others to plan where they will live,” said Ben.
“Limiting access to accommodation doesn’t just affect students.
“It will be of particular concern to many universities already facing difficult financial futures.”
