Renters Rights Act Impacts Student Housing Market in First Six Months

The Renters Rights Act (2026), with key provisions enacted on May 1, 2026, has brought significant changes to the student accommodation market. The legislation abolished assured shorthold tenancies, introduced periodic tenancies, granted students the right to give two months' notice to terminate their tenancy, and capped upfront rent payments at one month. These policy shifts coincide with a continued trend of higher-tariff universities increasing their student intake at the expense of lower-tariff institutions, leading to notable adjustments in rent levels across the sector.