The National Residential Landlords Association is amongst several housing bodies warning MPs to seize the final opportunity to safeguard the student housing market – and with it, future generations’ access to higher education.
The NRLA, alongside a coalition including Accommodation for Students and the Young Group, is urging MPs to support a House of Lords amendment to the Renters Rights Bill when it returns to the House of Commons on September 8. The change would safeguard the annual letting cycle that underpins the student housing market.
Under the government’s current proposals, only student landlords who let houses with three or more tenants will be able to regain their properties to re-let to the next student cohort in line with the academic year.
One- and two-bed student properties are excluded, despite these homes accounting for around a third of off-street student accommodation.
Without certainty that they can re-let these homes for the next academic year, landlords are likely to move away from renting to students, reducing supply and further limiting choice across the market.
The coalition warns that this would have serious consequences for access to higher education and, consequently, social mobility. Research from Knight Frank shows that almost two-thirds (65%) of first-time applicants say the availability of accommodation influences where they apply to study.
If the student housing cycle is disrupted, where a student can find a home – rather than where they most want to study – could become the decisive factor in their educational journey.
Nearly half of students already say they are concerned about a shortage of suitable housing.
Peers in the House of Lords recognise the urgency of the situation, having already voted in favour of an amendment to cover one- and two-bedroom student properties. The coalition is calling on MPs to back this change when the Bill returns to the Commons and has written to the Housing Minister and Higher Education Minister pressing for action.
Ben Beadle, NRLA chief executive, says: “A-level results day should be the start of an exciting new chapter for thousands of young people. But unless MPs act, future students could find their ambitions blocked – not by grades, but by a lack of somewhere to live.
“Without this change, the Renters’ Rights Bill will make it harder for landlords to offer one- and two-bedroom properties to students.
“This would break the student housing cycle, restrict choice, and risk undermining social mobility by limiting opportunities for students from all backgrounds.
“MPs have a final chance in September to protect the homes that make higher education possible – they must take it.”
