Student Tenancy Rights in the UK: What You Can and Can't Do

When you sign a student tenancy, a legal agreement between a student and a landlord for renting property during their studies. Also known as a student housing contract, it gives you the right to live somewhere safely and legally—but only if you know what it actually protects you from. Too many students in the UK sign a tenancy without reading the small print, then get stuck paying rent for a place they’ve already left, or lose their deposit over a scratch on the wall. That’s not normal. It’s not fair. And it’s not legal.

Your break clause, a legal term that lets you end your tenancy early under specific conditions is one of the most powerful tools you have. If your contract has one, you can leave before the end date without penalty—if you give the right notice and follow the rules. But if it doesn’t? You’re still not trapped. Landlords can’t force you to stay, but they can try to make you pay. That’s where your deposit protection, the legal requirement that landlords must keep your deposit in a government-approved scheme comes in. By law, your deposit must be protected within 30 days of receipt. If it’s not, you can claim up to three times the amount back—even if you broke the lease.

Landlords can’t just walk in whenever they want. They need at least 24 hours’ notice, and only for repairs or inspections—not to check if you’re doing the dishes. You also can’t be charged for normal wear and tear. A faded curtain? That’s your landlord’s problem. A broken window from a party? That’s yours. And if your landlord refuses to fix a leaky roof or a broken heater? You have the right to report them to your local council’s housing team. They can force repairs, and sometimes even fine the landlord.

These rights aren’t just theory. They’re backed by UK law, and they apply whether you’re living in a university-owned flat, a private house share, or a studio apartment above a shop. You don’t need a law degree to use them. You just need to know what they are. Below, you’ll find real guides from students who’ve faced eviction threats, deposit disputes, and landlord pressure—and how they fought back legally. Whether you’re looking to exit your contract early, get your money back, or just understand what your landlord can’t do to you, these posts give you the exact steps to take—no fluff, no jargon, just what works.