Renters' Rights for Students

Kelly Jo is a student in Bristol, and she spoke to the team from the Renters' Rights Campaign rolling out in the West of England Combined Authority. She described the difficulties that she's experienced as student. Like others, she has specific needs around renting to fit in with her studies: "I’m from outside the UK so it’s quite difficult for me when a tenancy ends in July but the next one doesn’t start until August because that means I have to find somewhere to stay for only a few months."

Fairer

Like many other renters, she is looking forward to a fairer, clearer system in the private rental sector, and sees the new Renters' Rights Act as a welcome addition to her rights: "I’ve had experiences where the advertised price is lower and when we’ve viewed the house they’ve said it’s a higher price. I’ve also had problems in the past living in shared houses where there’s been a problem with the property and we haven’t been able to get hold of the landlord to fix it." 

Accountability

Kelly Jo explained an important aspect of the new laws, and said, "I think the new rules will help make sure landlords are more responsible and accountable, especially to younger people who are new to renting."

 The new legislation came in to force on May 1st 2026. Kelly Jo is looking forward to the difference that the act will make as her career unfolds after university. "When I graduate," she said, "I will need to move where the work is so the flexibility of not being tied into a six or twelve month contract will be really helpful, as will having the security of being able to stay in one property for as long as I need to if I find a job that suits me and want to stay somewhere for a while."

To find out more about how the Renters' Rights Act applies to students, find the facts on Generation Rent's website https://www.generationrent.org/rights/rra-students/ (opens in new window).Information also available in the Renters' Rights Guidebook and accompanying website. See below...

Renters' Rights Act Handbook

Renters have new legal rights from May 1st 2026. For help understanding the new rights, visit We-rent.org.uk to find information and organisations near to you that can support you.

You can also download the free guide to the Renters' Rights Act here:

RENTERS' RIGHTS HANDBOOK