Finding a place to live is one of the first major choices for any student arriving in the UK. But what happens when the rules surrounding your tenancy agreement are about to change as a result of new legislation? Enter the renters reform bill – the first of its kind in fifteen years to help improve the private rented sector across England. Whether you’re a student from abroad renting a flat in the city centre, or have booked your room in student housing a few months in advance- knowing about such a significant change in rental law may have an impact on your experience studying in England and help keep your living situation secure and affordable.
For the international student living in student accommodation in Manchester, you may believe the rent you pay, your tenancy type and your rights have now been established. However, with the renters rights bill law passing the UK Parliament for the first time, you will soon be in the transition to a period where many of the rules you are familiar with and any common rental practices that exist, will no longer take effect. From fixed-term short, fixed leases to large upfront rent payments, these changes are important to include- especially for students who often have less financial flexibility and limited guanators and less experience with managing agreements and policy in the private sector renting landscape.
What Is the Renters’ Rights Bill?
The renters rights bill (also known as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025) is a proposed piece of legislation for England that would fundamentally reform the way private rentals are structured. The bill is designed to bolster protections for tenants and to rebalance the tenant-landlord relationship after decades of minimal resident protections. A few key objectives are to eliminate no-fault evictions, lower substantially burdensome upfront payments, and limit sudden rent increases. Overall, this is arguably one of the more meaningful reforms in decades for tenants in England.
Currently, in this system many students and young renters sign contracts for assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) for fixed terms such as 12 months, pay a few months rent in advance, and otherwise have very little control over raise increases or scrutiny around the risk of eviction. The renters rights bill rent increase proposals focus on those practices with the objective of providing for more predictability and fair treatment for tenants.
Why This Matters for International Students
When you arrive to study in the UK, you may think signing a lease is a one-off paperwork exercise. As an international student, you may face unique challenges: limited local credit history, a lack of guarantors, more substantial upfront costs, and a temporary situation that can leave you vulnerable to market forces. Some of the changes you can expect, with the pending renters rights bill law, are:
- Advance payment limits: The Bill proposes limiting landlords to no more than one month’s rent in advance (28 days for shorter rentals). This will be a substantial improvement over prospective multiple months advance payments.
- Fixed terms vs periodic tenancies: The Bill intends to eliminate fixed-term ASTs in favour of rolling assured tenancies, improving the position for tenants.
- Eviction grounds: The removal of “no-fault” evictions (Section 21) will require landlords to present an actual reason for eviction giving some stability and security.
- Rent increases: Once this Bill is incorporated into law, landlords will only be able to raise rent once a year and will be required to follow a standardized process, a process that will include tenant rights to challenge excessive rent increases.
- Standards and enforcement: The Bill will also give powers to councils to demand higher standards from landlords, require registration for landlords, and issue fines, when needed, for landlords not meeting current standards.
What to Look Out for When Signing a Lease
When you’re signing a lease – whether in student housing or private rented accommodation – considering these elements will enable you to have the confidence for the changes ahead:
- Type of lease: Make sure to check whether the tenancy is fixed-term or periodic. Periodic tenancies are set to be the norm under the new regime, which provides more flexibility, but probably less assurance of length.
- Prepayment amount: Remember to ask how many months rent has to be paid in advance before you sign a lease. Under the new rules you will only be able to pay one months rent in advance.
- Rent review clause: As required by law, be sure to check how frequently rent can increase and the manner of increase. In the future, renters will only be able to increase rent every twelve months and require a formal process.
- Ending the lease: Make sure to understand, how you or your landlord can legally stop the lease. There will be stricter rules for landlords wishing to evict tenants in the future.
- Housing quality standards: The Bill will introduce “Decent Homes” standards for the private rented sector which will ensure that repairs, heating, and basic alleviation of the level of accommodation provided is fulfilled.
- Guarantors and discrimination: The Bill will prevent landlords from refusing to accept tenants based on benefits or children and stop bidding wars above the advertised rental price.
As a student, the most effective way to approach student tenants is always to ask clear questions, request copies of all lease documentation, and speak to universities and accommodation support services if necessary. This factor is particularly important for international students who may not be familiar with renting arrangements in the UK.
Potential Student-Focused Impacts
Even if the new renters rights bill, or the rent increases measures, is aimed at stabilising the rental market (especially around increasing rent) it could still create unintended consequences—especially for the student accommodation. As private halls of residence, student lettings, and short stay letting arrangements all function differently than traditional residential and tenancy agreements, some observers warn of possible unintended consequences, including:
- bLandlords may pre-emptively increase rents before the Bill comes into effect in order to recoup for risk.
- Availability changes: Smaller landlords of student accommodation may exit the market due to the increased burden of regulation and lowering supply.
- Greater complexity in student leases: Student leases may have additional complexity when viewed as a specific variety of leases or contract arrangements, and certain aspects may not apply to purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) depending on the operating model.
On balance, the reforms should support young people or student tenants by enhancing tenant security, reducing financial burden at time of entry to their lease, and providing greater transparency around tenancy arrangements.
Key Takeaways for International Students
- The renters rights bill will alter significant aspects of renting in England, including how you sign rental agreements, how you pay rent, and how you leave rental accommodation.
- As a student, particularly an international student, having an understanding of these changes will help you navigate renting with a minimum of surprises.
- When you are signing a rental agreement, ask whether it fits under old legislation or the new laws, and be aware of transitional impacts.
- You can use the right questions (in advance) before you sign and ensure that you understand and agree to all conditions of your rental. Furthermore, universities often have services you can access for support on renting matters or questions.
- Although these changes present better protection, market reactions will determine finding housing until the market adjusts.