Why fixed-term tenancies are actually good for students

 As a recent graduate, I know the difficulties of finding a student house and a proposed ban on fixed-term tenancies will have a serious knock-on effect on students.

Many students start searching for accommodation months in advance. I started searching around December time as I knew how fast some houses can be snatched up.

I was one of the lucky ones and managed to get a house relatively quickly and whilst unfortunately it was during Covid me and my three other flatmates had a blast. We all loved living in a house together and it was a great learning curve for all of us.

I had the security of knowing how long my contract was as I had a set date for moving in and moving out and as long as I paid my rent on time and looked after the house I would be able to stay for the whole of my contract.

I fear with the looming ban on fixed-term tenancies this will now not be the case.

A ban on fixed-term tenancies will see student landlords facing huge uncertainty as they won’t be able to guarantee there is accommodation for the incoming student group.

The existing tenants could turn around and say they want to stay longer which will create unprecedented uncertainty not just for landlords but students too.

Many students choose to rent from the PRS as it’s the cheapest option. According to data from Save the Student, renting from a private landlord costs an average monthly rent of £523, compared with £596 in university halls.

In a contradiction in policy by the government, purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) will still be able to issue fixed-term tenancies as long as the provider is registered for government-approved codes, since these tenancies are not assured.

Many students can simply not afford to live in PBSA so many will be stuck in limbo looking for alternative accommodation.

The UK is predicted to face a shortfall of around 450,000 student beds by 2025 (data from StuRents) and if landlords leave the PRS because of the ban on fixed-term tenancies, where will these students go?

The other problem I fear is that the NUS says the end of fixed-term contracts will enable students to settle in the community after graduating.

What many students don’t realise is that if we stay on and become employed after graduating, we will have to pay council tax on the property which becomes another added expense. From my experience, most students have enjoyed living in student houses and like fixed-term tenancies because it’s given them added security when looking for houses.

If the government do not change their minds, I worry that periodic tenancies will give no security to students and instead, they will be struggling with finding a place to live.

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