When the Renters' Rights Act came into force in May it was described as the biggest change for tenants in England in a generation, giving more stability and security to the millions of people who rent from private landlords. The legislation has also prompted a shake-up of the student rental market, which has posed challenges for landlords as it allows people to leave a tenancy rather than being tied in for the full academic year. Eddie Lever had finished his first year at the University of Exeter when he decided the course wasn't for him.
The 20-year-old wanted to switch to studying international relations at the University of York but had already organised his house for the upcoming year. But because of changes in the Renters' Rights Act, Eddie only had to give two months' notice before he could leave and stop paying rent. The legislation ended fixed-term tenancies - where renters are tied in to contracts for a specific number of months.
For students, previously contracts were generally for the full academic year. Instead, properties are now rented on a rolling basis, which means tenants pay rent weekly or monthly with no fixed end date. University-owned halls of residence and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation are exempt, external and can still offer fixed-term contracts so this change primarily affects students renting from a private landlord.
"If the Renters' Rights Act wasn't a thing, I don't think I would have been able to move universities because I would have been locked into the full [year] contract," Eddie explains. What the Renters' Rights Act means for tenants and landlords 'I fought for change to remove student housing stress' More students planning to live at home for university over 'insane' living costs As he was signed up to a joint tenancy, when he left it ended the tenancy for the whole house. Fortunately, Eddie had a friend who was looking for a room who was able to take his place so his housemates could sign a new tenancy.
He acknowledges the situation would have been more difficult for his housemates if there wasn't someone who could take his room. However, Eddie thinks the benefits for students are worth this risk. "If you were to fall out with your flatmates or if you decide that university is not for you, being locked into a full-term contract can be really prohibitive financially," he says.
"So without that flexibility, people can really be locked into situations that they don't necessarily want to be in." Lewis Wilson, vice president for higher education at the National Union of Students, says this flexibility means students can also save money on rent by moving home for the summer. While previously, many student rental contracts ran into the summer after courses had finished, students can now choose to move out earlier if they want. Wilson says students also benefit from wider changes in the act, which bans landlords in England from evicting tenants without a reason.
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