Renters Rights Bill Laws Could Wipe Out the Coventry Student Let Market
The government’s long-anticipated Renters Rights Bill is moving closer to implementation. While many of its proposals are well-intentioned, they pose a serious and immediate risk to the student rental sector.
Here in Coventry, student lets are a major part of the local housing market. With two major universities and tens of thousands of students arriving every academic year, the fixed-term student tenancy model has long served both landlords and tenants efficiently. But that could soon change.
What’s Changing?
One of the most disruptive proposals in the Renters Reform Bill is the abolition of fixed-term tenancies. Under the current system, landlords and students agree on a defined tenancy period—usually 10 to 12 months—aligned with the academic calendar. The reforms would replace this with open-ended, periodic tenancies, allowing tenants to leave with just two months’ notice at any time.
Why This Poses a Problem for Student Lets
This change may sound fair in principle, but for student landlords, it undermines the very structure of the student letting market:
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Planning becomes impossible: Without a fixed end date, lining up tenants for the next academic year becomes chaotic.
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Increased void periods: Properties may be left vacant for months if tenants leave mid-year.
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Less financial stability: Landlords cannot rely on the certainty of full academic-year occupancy, making long-term investment less viable.
Many landlords may simply decide student rentals are no longer worth the risk. This could reduce the supply of housing available to students in Coventry.
Are There Any Exemptions?
Currently, the bill does allow for some exemptions—such as Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)—but private student rentals are not clearly protected. This could lead to an uneven playing field and further strain on an already tight housing market.
What Can Landlords Do?
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Stay informed: This legislation is still evolving, and there may be opportunities to push for exemptions or amendments.
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Join the conversation: We encourage all landlords to participate in the discussion and help lobby for fair treatment of student lets.
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Attend our upcoming webinar: We’ll be discussing these changes in depth, offering advice on how to prepare, and sharing updates from the latest policy developments.
👉 Click here to register for our free webinar
Date: 15th May 2025 | Time: 7pm
Final Thoughts
The Renters Reform Bill could fundamentally reshape the student rental market—and not for the better. While protecting tenants is important, reforms must also reflect the realities of specialist rental markets like student housing. Without common-sense exemptions, both landlords and students in Coventry may lose out.
We’ll continue to keep you updated as the situation develops. If you have questions or want tailored advice about your student property, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.