Student Tenancy in the UK: Your Rights, Your Rent, Your Rules

When you sign a student tenancy, a legal agreement between a student and a landlord for housing during university studies. Also known as assured shorthold tenancy, it gives you the right to live in a property for a fixed period—usually 12 months—with clear rules on rent, deposits, and repairs. This isn’t just about having a place to sleep. It’s about knowing what your landlord can and can’t do, especially when they suddenly raise your rent or threaten to keep your deposit over a scuff on the floor.

Many students in the UK rent privately, especially in cities like Manchester, Bristol, or Edinburgh. That means you’re likely under an assured shorthold tenancy, the most common type of rental agreement for students and young adults in England and Wales. You’re protected by law: your landlord can’t kick you out early, must return your deposit within 10 days after you leave (if you’ve met the terms), and can’t charge you for normal wear and tear. But here’s the catch—many students don’t know this. They sign without reading, pay extra for "admin fees," or accept rent hikes without questioning them. A rent increase, a rise in monthly rent during or after a tenancy period is legal only if it follows the right process: either through a formal notice or if you agree to a new contract. No text message. No verbal warning. No "it’s just market rate."

And it’s not just about money. Your student accommodation, housing rented by students outside university-managed halls often comes with hidden issues: broken heaters, mold in the bathroom, or landlords who don’t fix things for months. You have the right to a safe, habitable home. If your landlord ignores repair requests, you can report them to your local council’s housing team. And yes, even if you’re an international student, these rights still apply. You don’t need a British passport to be protected.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides written by students who’ve been there—dealing with rent hikes, dodging dodgy landlords, understanding deposit disputes, and knowing when to say no. No fluff. No legal jargon. Just what you need to survive your time off-campus without getting ripped off.