How do the changes affect students living in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)?
If you are a student living in, or intending to live in, PBSA rented from a university, college or registered social landlord, you will have a common law tenancy or licence to occupy and the changes introduced on 1st May 2026 will not directly affect you.
If you are already living in private-sector PBSA before 1st May 2026, the changes will affect you in the same way as a student tenant living in an ‘off-street’ property. See Headline Changes for Students
If your tenancy in private-sector PBSA does not start until after 30th April 2026, the changes will affect you in the same way as a student tenant living in an ‘off-street’ property UNLESS your landlord or its agent is a member of an approved student accommodation code of practice. If the PBSA is covered by an approved code of practice, you will have a common law tenancy or licence to occupy, and your rights and obligations will be as written down in your tenancy agreement (contract).
The approved codes of practice are:
- For university-provided accommodation you should check if your university is part of either the UUK/Guild Accommodation Code of Practice or the ANUK/National Code for accommodation owned or managed by educational establishments
- If you live in private purpose-built student accommodation, this code applies and outlines your rights. - The ANUK/Unipol Code of Standards for private sector accommodation
In brief
If your landlord or their agent is in the Unipol/ANUK Code of Standards, your tenancy will be a common law tenancy. As long as the terms of the contract are legally fair, they will be enforceable. Fixed-term contracts, No Pets rules, and early termination of the tenancy for any legally fair reason will be allowed. Your landlord will still have to follow the correct procedure before they can legally evict you, but there are fewer legal restrictions. Tenants on fixed-term contracts will not need to give notice to quit.