What are your renting rights as a student?

Student housing: where finding a mould-free bathroom is like discovering a unicorn in your garden! If you’re a student or know students, you have probably heard (or even experienced) horror stories about the state of some student accommodation.

As a letting agency in Bath and Bristol, we deal with our fair share of student tenants. As such, we try to make the process of renting your student house as simple and seamless as possible, so we want to make sure that you know your rights as a student tenant.

Do students have the same renting rights as private renters?

Yes! Students have the same rights as every other private renter. There’s no such thing as a student tenancy – if you’re renting privately (in someone’s house or flat as opposed to halls), you probably have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). With an AST, you have the same rights as any other person with this type of tenancy – student or not.

Renting rights as a student: Common questions and tips

According to Save the Student, in 2022, 30% of students had no heating or water, and 26% had issues with damp. Yet, a survey by the National Union of Students found that less than half of students knew their rights as tenants or felt able to assert them.

Here we have some common questions students have regarding their renting rights, and top tips:

Avoid unnecessary fees

Don’t shell out for any fees that aren’t essential. Charges from letting agents for actions like safeguarding your deposit, conducting credit and reference checks, and covering administrative fees are now illegal.

According to the NUS, some students have been out of pocket by as much as £250 or more due to agent fees. Make sure you only pay what’s necessary. If you’re asked to pay these fees, you have the option to report the landlord or agent to Trading Standards!

Are landlords allowed to enter the property without permission?

There seem to be a few myths floating around that your landlord or letting agent has the authority to enter the property that you are renting without giving you notice; these are exactly that – myths.

When it comes to entering your place for viewings or repairs, it is a legal requirement for landlords and letting agents to provide you with at least 24 hours’ notice before they drop by.

If you’re not available when they want to come round but you’d feel more comfortable having someone around during their visit, you are able to request a witness.

However, the 24-hour rule doesn’t apply in emergencies. Instances like a fire, gas leak, flooding, significant structural damage, or a crime at the property are exceptions where they can enter without advance notice.

Are landlords responsible for pest control?

Student homes often attract unwanted visitors – no, we don’t mean your housemates’ annoying friends – we mean pests like mice, rats, and bed bugs. Unfortunately, pinpointing responsibility can be challenging, as it depends on a number of factors.

If you have mice, you should reach out to your landlord immediately and get them gone. If rats are the issue at hand, you need to inform both your landlord and the local health authority. These unwelcome critters pose a major health hazard, so a team of experts will be dispatched to tackle the problem.

If you have bed bugs, that’s where the waters get muddied. You need to identify who’s to blame for their presence – a task that’s easier said than done. If the bedbugs were already there when you moved in, or their infestation stems from some flaw in the property or its furnishings, responsibility falls on the landlord to sort it out.

However, if they made an appearance after you’ve settled in, and their presence is a result of your own negligence (think poor hygiene or irregular cleaning habits), then it’s down to you to get rid of them.

Can my landlord evict me?

Various circumstances can lead to a lawful eviction by your landlord. These include:

Falling behind on rent payments by at least two months
Repeatedly delaying your payments
Violating any terms outlined in your tenancy agreement
Letting the property deteriorate to an unacceptable state
Subletting a room without obtaining proper permission
Creating significant disturbances that disrupt neighbours
Engaging in illegal activities on the premises
Refusing to leave the property at the end of your contract

Seek legal advice immediately if your landlord threatens to evict you. If there’s no court order included in your eviction notice, this is illegal.

Only a bailiff with a valid warrant can evict you.

It’s important to understand that it is illegal for your landlord to harass you to try to force you to leave. Such tactics include:

Cutting electricity or gas supplies.
Employing threats or resorting to physical violence
Neglecting necessary repairs
Withholding access to keys

Should you encounter such circumstances, you should contact the police immediately.

Who’s in charge of Fire safety in student homes?

Ensuring your protection against potential fire hazards is paramount. First and foremost, your landlord should provide a viable means of escape in case of fire and at least one smoke alarm on every floor. For rooms with a functional fireplace or stove (kitchens and living rooms, for example), a carbon monoxide detector is a necessity. At the start of each new tenancy, the landlord is required to check that these alarms are in proper working order and replace them if necessary.

If your home is classed as a house in multiple occupation (HMO), your landlord is legally obligated to install a fire extinguisher on each floor.

Legal requirements for student accommodation in the UK

Whether you’re living in private rented housing or purpose-built student halls, there are a number of legal standards landlords and accommodation providers must meet to make sure your home is safe, decent and fit to live in.

Health and safety basics

Landlords and accommodation providers are legally required to keep the property safe and free from hazards.

This includes:

Gas safety checks: If there are gas appliances (like a boiler), the landlord must arrange an annual safety inspection by a Gas Safe-registered engineer and give you a copy of the safety record.
Electrical safety: Electrical installations and any provided appliances should be checked at least every five years, with a formal inspection report.
Fire safety: Landlords must provide working smoke alarms, means of escape, and fire safety equipment where needed, especially in shared student homes (HMOs). Fire risk assessments are also a legal requirement.

These checks are not optional; they are backed by UK safety legislation and apply whether you’re in private accommodation or halls of residence.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) standards

If you’re sharing with other students and more than two separate households live in the same property, it may be classed as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Many councils require these to be licensed and meet extra safety and management standards.

This means the property must:

Meet higher fire safety standards
Have appropriate amenity provision (toilets/kitchens)
Pass regular inspections by the local council

Failing to license an HMO when required can lead to enforcement action or penalties for the landlord.

Fitness for human habitation

All rented homes in England must be fit for human habitation — that is, free from serious hazards and in a reasonable state of repair throughout the tenancy. This is a legal obligation under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 and applies regardless of whether you’re a student or any other tenant.

Standards in university-managed accommodation

Halls of residence provided by universities or colleges usually follow one of several approved codes of practice, such as the Universities UK / GuildHE Code of Practice or the ANUK/Unipol standards. These go beyond basic legal requirements to set standards for management, maintenance, repairs, security and complaint handling.

What this means for you

As a student tenant, these legal requirements are there to protect you. If you think your accommodation isn’t meeting these standards — from fire alarms not working to unsafe electrics or lack of necessary licences, you have a right to raise a complaint with your landlord, accommodation manager or, ultimately, your students’ union or local authority.

How Aspire to Move can help

At Aspire To Move, our mission is to create a unique customer experience for our students. Our service sets us apart significantly from the conventional agents you might come across in Bath and Bristol.

We launch all of our student properties in November, allowing you to find your home for the following year early in the university calendar. We make it our job to find you the perfect property.

We offer our clients availability outside of the standard 9-5, Monday to Friday schedule. We firmly believe that a successful business has staff who truly care and are ready to assist you with your housing requirements.