A group of student accommodation landlords have warned the Government that its plans to dispense with fixed-term tenancies and move to open ended ones will lead to fewer providers and homes within this market.

The Student Accredited Private Rental Sector (SAPRS) organisation, which wants to raise standards in the ‘shared house’ student accommodation sector -typically used by second and third-year students- has made the comments ahead of today’s Committee Stage of the Renters’ Rights Bill in parliament.

SAPRS is calling on the Government to ensure its reforms deliver the necessary protections for students and prevent a worsening of the student housing crisis.

Their calls were echoed during the recent first reading of the Renters’ Rights Bill including by both Gideon Amos, the LibDem’s housing spokesperson and the shadow housing minister, David Simmonds.

Amos warned of a “significant withdrawal of student housing from the market” if Labour’s plans within the Bill become law unaltered.

Fixed-term

The Bill will ban fixed-term tenancy agreements for private student accommodation in England despite both students and landlords relying on tenancies that align with the cyclical nature of the academic year and therefore need to be fixed-term.

SAPRS and other organisations within the sector believe the Bill “does not recognise the unique structure of the student housing market and therefore fails to adequately deliver for students and student landlords”.

The organisaitoin is urging the Government to amend the Bill to ensure equality between purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and private student housing to avoid worsening the student housing crisis.

Students

“If no action is taken students will suffer”, warns SAPRS, highlighting recent research from StuRents that the sector already faces a 490,000 bed shortfall by 2026 without the Bill.

Calum MacInnes (main image), Chair at SAPRS said: “We were delighted to see the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill by the new Government and support their ambition to overhaul the private rented sector.  

“But it’s crucial that students across the country don’t suffer from the reforms. We will continue our warnings until students get the housing system they deserve.”