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Private Rented Housing: Students

Asked by Claire HannaSocial Democratic & Labour PartyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 6 February 2025UIN 27473

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that the provisions of the Renter's Rights Bill do not negatively impact students from (a) Northern Ireland and (b) other devolved nations renting accommodation in England.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

All tenants renting privately in England, including students, will benefit from the protections in the Renters’ Rights Bill, wherever they are from.

The abolition of section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will end chronic insecurity in the private rented sector, and the abolition of fixed term tenancies will enable tenants to leave tenancies by giving two months’ notice, ending the injustice of being trapped paying rent for substandard properties or unable to respond to their changing circumstances.

We recognise the cyclical nature of the student lettings market, which is why the Bill introduces a new mandatory ground for possession which will allow landlords renting Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) to full time students in England to seek possession ahead of each new academic year, facilitating the ongoing yearly cycle of short-term student tenancies and ensuring there is a supply of properties for incoming groups of students.

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