Students have the same rights as other private renters and a 'student tenancy' is not a type of tenancy in law. Whether you live in halls, private rented accommodation, or are house-hunting for next year, you have clear rights and responsibilities as a student renter. Find out about how we are tackling the housing crisis on our housing campaign page.
Your Housing Options as a Student
Most students fall into one of these categories:
- University-owned or managed accommodation (halls)
- Private rented accommodation (often shared housing)
- Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) run by private companies
Your rights may look slightly different depending on where you live, but many core protections apply across the board. Shelter England provide a tenancy rights checker to check what type of tenancy you have.
If you are currently looking for somewhere to live, check out the Univeristy's page on finding private sector accomodation.
The government has announced reforms through the Renters' Rights Act. This page includes updated information about your rights as a tenant. If you want to find out more about the changes, visit the article written by the national not for profit student housing specialists, Unipol: Renters' Rights Act - FAQs for students
Where Can I Get Support?
The information below is provided to be general information and is not legal advice. Your individual situation may be differen, and housing law can be complex. This webpage cannot cover every scenario or answer every question about your specific circumstances.
Please visit our SU Advice & Support page to find out how our advisors can support you with housing related concerns. Other sources of advice include:
Living in Halls of Residence
If you live in university-managed halls, you usually have a licence agreement rather than a tenancy. Even so, you still have important legal and contractual rights.
You should not be expected to live or study in accomodation that risks your health, safety, or wellbeing. Universities have legal duties under health and safety law, fire safety legislation and housing standards to ensure accomodation is safe and suitable to live in. These duties are reinforced through your contract and consumer protection law.
If something is broken in your accomodation, report it using the request form: Report a maintenance issue in student accommodation
You need to understand what you are agreeing to so you can budget properly and make informed choices about your accomodation. Consumer protection law requires accomodation providers to give clear, accurate, and non-misleading information about fees, rules, and servies.
You can find the terms of conditions for students living in unicversity managed accomodation here: Student accommodation terms and conditions
Even in halls, your room is your personal living space and should be respected as such. This rights is protected through contract terms and general legal principles around privacy and quiet enjoyment of occupied rooms.
Students should not face sudden housing loss or unfair penalties without due process. Universities must follow their own regulations, contract terms, and consumer law standards of fairness.
If you wish to raise a complaint regarding your student accomodation, please talk to one of our SU advisors for guidance. You can find the ResLife complaints procedure here: ResLife complaints procedure
Renting Privately as a Student
Most students renting privately have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST), which gives strong legal protections.
You should understand the financial and legal commitment you are entering into before you sign. Consumer Rights legislation and housing law require landlords and agents to provide key information and prohibit unfair pressure or misleading practices.
With new legislation in place, all tenancies that were previously "fixed-term" (a contract for a specific period of time e.g., six months) will become "periodic" tenancies (your tenancy runs month-to-month with no set end date). This means you can leave with 2 months' notice at any time, but also has other implications. Be sure to learn more to see how this might effect you.
Source:
During My Tenancy
These rights apply once you have moved in and cover day‑to‑day living, including repairs, safety, privacy, and how your landlord can interact with you.
You should not be expected to live with dangerous or unsuitable conditions. Housing law places responsibility for most essential repairs on the landlord.
If your landlord refuses to make necessary repairs or resolve issues in your home within a reasonable timeframe, you can report this to Bath & North East Somerset Council using their online report form. The Council will respond within five working days, assessing whether the housing conditions are unacceptable. They can provide inspection services and may enforce legal housing regulations if necessary. Here is the link to use the reporting tool: Report a problem with your rented home | Bath and North East Somerset Council
Your rented home is your private living space. Tenancy law gives tenants the right to “quiet enjoyment” of their home.
Source: Understand your tenancy rights - Shelter
No renter should feel threatened or forced out of their home. Harassment and illegal eviction are offences under housing and criminal.
Source: How to deal with harassment from landlords or agents - Shelter
Deposits, Fees, and Rent
These rights protect your money and ensure you are not charged unfair or unlawful costs before, during, or after your tenancy.
Deposit protection ensures your money is safeguarded and disputes are handled fairly. Deposit protection rules are set out in housing legislation and apply to most private student tenancies.
Source: Check if your landlord has to protect your deposit - Citizens Advice
Unfair fees make renting less accessible for students. The Tenant Fees Act bans most additional charges in the private rented sector.
Source: Letting agent and tenancy fees - Shelter
Eviction and Ending a Tenancy
These rights protect you from being forced out of your home unfairly and set out the legal steps landlords must follow if a tenancy is ending.
You deserve security in your housing and time to make alternative arrangements. Housing law sets strict rules for eviction notices and court procedures. Please read the new legislation to see how this effects your notice.
Source: Eviction notices from private landlords - Shelter
Students are encouraged to use the Marks out of Tenancy platform to share their experiences with landlords and properties. You can provide as much detail as you wish, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of your property, estate agent, and landlord. The more we utilise this platform, the more beneficial it will become for students in Bath.