Peer proposes to keep student tenancies as periodic

Peers in the House of Lords have put forward amendments to the Renters' Rights Bill , aiming to refine protections for tenants while ensuring landlords can maintain their business.

Among them is one which should appeal to student landlords and that's a proposal to keep fixed-term tenancies when both the landlord and tenant consent.

The amendment from Baroness Bybrook is specifically targeted at maintaining fixed-term arrangements for private student accommodation.

She argues this adjustment delivers the stability craved by both students renting homes and landlords providing them with the 'certainty that both student tenants and student landlords need.’

Keep student lets practical

The national lettings managing director at Leaders Romans Group (LRG), Allison Thompson, welcomed Baroness Bybrook's proposal and said: "The amendments proposed in the House of Lords mark a significant and positive step forward for the Renters' Rights Bill.

"After much industry concern and sustained lobbying - particularly from our partners at the NRLA - this is fantastic news."

She also highlighted benefits such as linking rent hikes to inflation, keeping student lets practical and postponing the abolition of Section 21 evictions until the court backlog has been cleared.

Abolish Section 21 'immediately'

However, Lord John Bird, the founder of the Big Issue, is pressing the Labour government to abolish Section 21 'no-fault' evictions immediately upon the Bill's enactment.

He has introduced four amendments to quicken the legislation's enforcement.

Lord Bird said: "Section 21 no-fault eviction undermines tenants, regardless of whether the landlord has any intention of using them."

He wrote in the Big Issue: "Renters have waited too long for Westminster to come good on the promises of successive governments to end no-fault evictions.

"The Renters' Rights Bill must be passed and implemented by the summer, as the government have promised."

Despite this claim, data from the 2021-2022 English Housing Survey reveals that 77% of private renters left their last home voluntarily and were not evicted.

Surprise for student landlords

Another surprising turn for student landlords was for Labour to declare that it doesn't support rent controls.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, said: "The Labour government have been clear, we do not support rent controls.

"Heavy-handed rent controls tend to mean higher rents at the start of a tenancy, and they can make it much harder for prospective tenants to find a home."

She warned that rent controls could reduce housing investment and quality - while boosting illegal sub-letting practices.

Dwindling landlord numbers

Despite government assurances, an official impact assessment acknowledges that tightened regulations under the Bill might prompt some landlords to exit the private rented sector (PRS).

Lord Jamieson, a Conservative peer, warned of dwindling landlord numbers driving up costs due to supply shortages.

Baroness Taylor refuted this, insisting: "We have carefully assessed what the impact of the Renters' Rights Bill might be, and we do not believe that it will have a significant impact on the supply of private rented housing in the market."

She emphasised consistent supply trends and the Bill's intent to help both tenants and landlords.

Again, the latest English Private Landlord Survey paints a different picture, with 31% of landlords planning to scale back their portfolios in the next two years, up from 22% in 2021.

Other amendments to the Bill include Baroness Scott of Bybrook's bid to permit landlords with fewer than five properties to retain Section 21 rights.

Fixed-term tenancies for student lets

The managing director of Accommodation for Students, Simon Thompson, said: "The House of Lords' efforts to preserve fixed-term tenancies for student lets, alongside debates over Section 21 evictions, are to be welcomed.

"It shows that there are MPS and Peers who do understand what the impact of periodic tenancies will be on the student accommodation sector."

He added: "While Labour resists rent controls and downplays fears of a landlord exodus, the reality is very different - as shown by a 31% rise in landlords planning to downsize - and this suggests challenges ahead.

"Without fixing the court backlog, the abolition of Section 21 will just create a chaotic legal logjam."

The amendments being proposed by the House of Lords at the Committee stage are here .