Students looking for private accommodation in England are entering a new rental environment following changes introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act.
The reforms came into effect on 1 May 2026 and introduced significant changes to the private rental market, including the abolition of no-fault evictions and the move toward periodic tenancies.
The changes are particularly relevant to students because traditional student rental arrangements have often been based around fixed academic-year contracts.
According to recent reporting, landlords and letting agents are experiencing longer letting processes as they adjust to the new arrangements. The changes may also affect international students who previously relied on paying several months of rent upfront when they did not have a UK-based guarantor.
International students should therefore begin their accommodation search early and understand the requirements before committing to a property.
Students can choose between university halls, purpose-built student accommodation, shared houses, studios and private flats.
UK Accommodation Services can assist students and international residents in navigating their accommodation options and finding suitable places to live.
