Private landlords specializing in student accommodation have issued a stark warning to the Government, cautioning that the proposed abolition of Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) could drastically reduce the availability of student housing. The Student Accredited Private Rental Sector (SAPRS), an organization focused on raising standards in shared student accommodation, voiced their concerns ahead of the Committee Stage debate on the Renters’ Rights Bill in Parliament today.

SAPRS is urging ministers to ensure that reforms protect both students and landlords, warning that failure to do so could exacerbate the existing student housing shortage.

Support for the group’s concerns was echoed during the Bill’s first reading, with Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson Gideon Amos and shadow housing minister David Simmonds both speaking out. Amos cautioned that the reforms, as currently proposed, could lead to a “significant withdrawal of student housing from the market.”

At the heart of the controversy is a key provision in the Bill that would ban fixed-term tenancy agreements for private student accommodation in England. Both students and landlords rely on such agreements, which align with the academic year and are therefore fixed in nature.

Ignoring a Unique Market

SAPRS and other stakeholders, including a leading higher education think tank, argue that the Bill fails to account for the distinct structure of the student housing market. “The Bill doesn’t recognize the unique needs of students and landlords and risks failing both,” a SAPRS spokesperson said.

The organization is calling for amendments to the Bill that would ensure equal treatment between purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and privately owned student housing. Without such changes, SAPRS warns, the housing crisis could worsen.

“If no action is taken, students will be the ones to suffer,” SAPRS emphasized, citing recent research from StuRents, which projects a shortage of 490,000 student beds by 2026, even without the new legislation.

Industry Pleads for Reform

SAPRS Chair Calum MacInnes expressed support for the Government’s broader goals but stressed the need for caution in student housing reform. “We were pleased to see the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill and back the Government’s efforts to overhaul the private rented sector,” MacInnes said.

“However, it’s crucial that students aren’t caught in the crossfire of these changes. We will continue to raise our concerns until students receive the housing system they deserve,” he added.

With the student accommodation market already stretched, many fear that unless the Government listens, the proposed legislation could deepen an already critical housing shortage for students across the country.