The body cites Scotland’s tenancy reform abolishing fixed-term agreements in favour of indefinite leases as a cautionary precedent, noting a reported reduction of around 40,000 private rental units since the change.
Student landlords are sounding the alarm over the Renters’ Rights Bill, with the trade association reporting that the elimination of fixed-term tenancies ranks as their top concern.
According to one respondent, the shift to open-ended agreements would undermine the seasonal rhythm of student lettings, complicating property upkeep and turnover ahead of each academic year.
The landlord said: “Open-ended tenancies don’t allow us to plan. It creates uncertainty for contractors, landlords, students. It’s going to be a nightmare for all of us.”
Smaller student rentals could be hit hardest by the Renters’ Rights Bill, according to the trade body.
A key rule—Ground 4A—was meant to help landlords take back properties at the end of the academic year, but it only covers homes with three or more tenants.
Despite efforts in the Lords to fix this, MPs voted down the change, leaving landlords of one- and two-bed student flats unable to guarantee summer possession.
A member told the trade body they are highly wary of the new rules and said: “I’m too frightened to advertise the property for the next academic year until the current students move out. I could be in the position of having two sets of tenants.”
Landlords are thinking about selling—and energy rules are the reason. New data shows 74% of those with homes rated below EPC C are considering offloading properties as deadlines loom - 2028 for new tenancies, 2030 for everyone else.
Student landlords say it’s tough to get upgrades done during term time, with only a short summer break to work with. Others say there just aren’t enough tradespeople available to do the job.
Landlords say the student rental market in England could take a hit—just like it did in Scotland. The association warns that unless the Renters’ Rights Bill is tweaked, England might see a drop in available homes for students. In Scotland, the number of private rented households fell by 40,000 between 2016 and 2022, and about a quarter of students there rely on those homes.
The trade association writes on its website: “Without adjustments to timelines, tenancy rules, and funding mechanisms, the UK risks a contraction in student housing availability -as has already happened in Scotland. Smaller landlords play a key role in affordable shared housing.
“Three-quarters of student landlords with sub-EPC C properties are considering selling. If student landlords retreat, the unintended outcome could be fewer homes, higher rents, and greater reliance on expensive PBSA.”
Members of the landlord community are advocating for the inclusion of smaller student lets under Ground 4A provisions and calling for greater transparency and uniformity in the application of EPC requirements.