Landlord leaders are heading the charge to force a change to the Renters’ Rights Bill and “safeguard” the student lets market.

The NRLA says unless proposed rules for student HMOs are revised many young people will be prevented from accessing higher education.

Urging

A coalition, including the NRLA and student representative bodies, is urging MPs to support an amendment to the bill.

And the group has written a letter to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook pressing him to rethink the new HMO rules.

Under the Government’s current proposals, only student landlords letting out 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.

Excluded

One and two-bed student properties are excluded, despite these homes accounting for around a third of off-street student accommodation, the coalition argues.

The House of Lords voting in favour of an amendment to cover one and two-bedroom student properties, and this will be considered by MPs when they next debate the bill on 8 September.

Unless MPs act, future students could find their ambitions blocked.”

Ben Beadle, CEO at the NRLA (main picture), 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,” he says.

“This would break the student housing cycle, restrict choice, and risk undermining social mobility by limiting opportunities for students from all backgrounds.”

Landlord group warns of threat to student housing