The Government has published guidance clarifying how student tenancy rules will operate under the Renters’ Rights Act, which takes effect on 1 May 2026.
The guidance confirms the operation of a new student possession ground (Ground 4A) and includes a one-off transitional period for landlords of student houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) with tenancies signed before 1 May 2026.
Transitional arrangements
Under the temporary provisions, landlords can serve two months’ notice between 1 May and 31 July 2026, rather than the standard four-month period. However, landlords must notify tenants by 31 May 2026 that they may use Ground 4A to seek possession.
The transitional period is intended to assist landlords moving from fixed-term contracts to the new periodic tenancy system in regaining possession before the September student intake. After 31 July 2026, the standard four-month notice period will apply.
Industry response
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), said the guidance addressed concerns about the shift away from fixed-term tenancies disrupting the annual student lettings cycle.
“There was a very real prospect that tens of thousands of students could have been denied access to the housing they need from September, as landlords would have been unable to regain possession of properties in time,” Beadle stated.
The NRLA said the changes followed its campaigning on the workability of the Act’s provisions for the student housing market.
The guidance provides clarity on possession procedures as the sector transitions to the new regulatory framework, with particular relevance for landlords operating in university towns and cities where student accommodation forms a substantial portion of the private rental market.
