Student Housing Laws in the UK: Your Rights and What Landlords Must Do

When you sign a lease for student housing in the UK, you’re not just getting a room—you’re entering a legal relationship protected by student housing laws, the set of rules that define how landlords must treat tenants, especially students, in rented accommodation. Also known as tenancy rights, these laws ensure you get a safe, habitable space and aren’t taken advantage of just because you’re young or new to renting. Many students assume their landlord can do whatever they want—raise rent anytime, cut off utilities, or ignore broken pipes. That’s not true. UK law gives you clear protections, whether you’re in university halls, a shared house, or a private flat.

One of the most important things these laws cover is the tenancy agreement, the written contract that spells out rent, deposit rules, repairs, and how either side can end the tenancy. Also known as assured shorthold tenancy, this is the standard type for most student rentals. Landlords must give you a copy within 28 days of move-in, and they can’t change the terms without your signed agreement. If they try to evict you before the end of your fixed term, they need a court order—no matter how much they say you "owe" them for a broken toaster. Another key area is the deposit protection scheme, a legal requirement that forces landlords to put your deposit in a government-approved account within 30 days of receiving it. Also known as deposit protection, this stops them from keeping your money just because you forgot to clean the kitchen. If they don’t protect it, you can sue for up to three times the deposit amount. And don’t let them tell you that "student rules" are different—your rights are the same as any other tenant.

Landlords must also keep the property in good repair. If the heating breaks in winter, the roof leaks, or there’s mold growing on the walls, they’re legally required to fix it. You don’t need to beg. You just need to report it in writing and give them a reasonable time to act. If they ignore you, you can report them to your local council’s housing department. Many students don’t know this, but councils have enforcement teams that can fine landlords for unsafe conditions. And if you’re living with pests—mice, cockroaches, bedbugs—that’s not just gross, it’s a breach of the law. Your landlord has to pay for pest control.

These laws exist because too many students have been ripped off. That’s why the posts below cover real, practical situations: how to check if your deposit is protected, what to say when your landlord won’t fix the boiler, how to spot a scam rental on Facebook, and how to get your money back if you’re moved out early. You’ll find guides on dealing with unresponsive landlords, understanding your utility bills, and knowing when you can withhold rent (yes, sometimes you can). This isn’t theory—it’s what students in Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow, and Cardiff have used to get their rights back. You’re not alone. And you don’t have to accept bad housing just because you’re a student.