What is the Renters’ Rights Bill? 

The Labour Government have proposed a new Bill in parliament to ensure that the private rental sector is better regulated, with more restrictions on landlords. You can find out a full overview of the bill, and the proposed changes here. 

What does it mean for students? 

Some of the changes to the rental sector, through the Renters’ Right Bill will have a significant impact on the experience of students living off-campus. We welcome most of these changes, as they will protect students living in poor quality private housing, and ensure that there is tighter regulation on unsuitable and unsafe living conditions. However, we also know that some changes could impact students negatively. 

Abolishing Section 21 “no-fault” evictions: Landlords will no longer be able to ask tenants to leave their property for no reason. Instead of having a one-year contract, landlords may have to offer tenancies with no-fixed end date. They will not be able to ask you to leave when it is convenient for them, and it means greater protection for tenants. Some landlords will be allowed to evict students in the summer. This will also mean that: 

• Tenants/Students may be able to sign on to one house for their full length of degree, and won’t have to keep looking for houses each year OR students may be able to sign for a 10 month agreement 
• Tenants/Students will be able to give two months’ notice in the event that you want to leave your tenancy early* 
• Tenants/Students won’t need to sign a full years’ tenancy agreement. Instead, you can just give two months’ notice. This may mean you do not need to pay for accommodation over the summer months if you don’t want to stay. 

*It is worth noting that the Joint and Severally liable clause in your contract means that if you give it up two months early, it is likely that this is for the whole house. 

Creation of a Private Rented Sector Database:  This will help landlords understand and comply with their obligations. The database will also support tenants make better, more informed choices, when entering a contract or tenancy agreement.  

You may be allowed pets!  Tenants will now be able to request a pet in their property, and a landlord cannot “unreasonably refuse” the request for your pet to join you. We don’t know yet what is covered by the term “unreasonable”. 

End rental bidding:  Landlords will not be able to accept offers above their asking price. 

Strengthened local authority enforcement:  There will be more penalties for rogue landlords. Local authorities will have more resource to regulate, check and issue penalties where landlords do not comply. It will be easier for tenants to complain to the council without the risk of a no-fault eviction. 

Regulated rent increases:  Landlords will only be able to increase the rent once a year, and in line with the “market value”. Tenants will be able to challenge rent increases that are above market value. Landlords will need to give at least 2 months’ notice of any rent increase. 

How your Students’ Union are representing you: 

We are committed to ensuring that your needs are reflected and represented on the highest level. That’s why we have written to the government to consult on key changes. You can find our consultation document here. We have also written to your local MP, Zoe Franklin, and your Union President, Liam, has plans to present our feedback to Zoe at their next meeting: 

• We would like to see the Bill introduce rent caps. 
• To safeguard student renters from the misuse of summer eviction ground so that landlords can increase rent, we would like the Bill to be amended to link the annual rent increase to the property, rather than the tenancy. 
• We would like the two-month notice period to be extended to protect students who sign an agreement early, and wish to leave their agreement before taking their tenancy. This protection would allow students to leave that agreement if their circumstances change. 
• We want Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSAs) to be included in the Bill. Currently they are excluded as they do not count as “Assured Shorthold Tenancies” and instead count as licences. This amendment would ensure students living in PBSAs have protected deposits, rent increase protection, eviction and notice period protection and access to the rental market Ombudsperson. 
• We would like to see the Bill amended so that landlords who utilise 10-month contracts and a summer eviction notice, can only set up new tenancies at the start of the academic year to prevent exploitation of “lost” summer rent. 
• The Bill should be amended to reflect the rental market for students studying with an academic year running from February – February. 
• We would like the Bill to recognise the Joint and Severally Liable clause and allow one student to give notice where needed, whilst protecting the tenancy of the other students. 
• We would like the Bill to abolish the need for guarantor requirements and add further protection against the discrimination of international students. 
• Universities should have a greater duty of care to ensure affordable and suitable accommodation, and this should be reflected in their advertisement. 
• The Bill should regulate end-of-tenancy deposit deductions and provide clear and transparent costs incurred. There should be more regulation around ensuring that any deductions are used to fix the issues for future tenants. 

What can you do? 

Think we have missed something? Tell us! Email ussu.president@surrey.ac.uk with your thoughts. For advice and guidance, or questions regarding the Renters’ Rights Bill, email ussu.advice@surrey.ac.uk