A level results day has arrived.

A day that will put an end to the waiting game and anxiety of ‘what next?’ A day that will open doors to dreams, degrees and university life for A level students around the country.

But will the Renters’ Rights Bill close those same doors as quickly as they opened – preventing students from being able to find accommodation in their chosen university city? There were 758,000 applications for full-time undergraduate places through UCAS last year – all who need somewhere decent and affordable to live.

But will they find their university dreams shattered – not by grades, but by a lack of somewhere to live?

Quite possibly yes.

Unless the Government U-turns on Section 8 of the Renters’ Rights Bill which will allow student landlords to regain possession of their properties at the end of each academic year.

Under the current proposal, only landlords letting HMOs would be able to regain their properties to re-let to next year’s student intake. One and two-bed student properties would be excluded – despite these smaller homes accounting for around a third of student accommodation in the UK.

Student housing crisis

Around 30% of students across the UK live in private rented accommodation that is not in purpose-built or provided by their higher education provider. Many popular university cities are already struggling to put roofs over the heads of their students – which is forcing up rents and making decent student accommodation the privilege of the wealthy.

Research reveals that 65% of students say that housing now influences where they apply to study – not just the course credentials and the city social scene! Plus, almost 50% are concerned about the current shortage of suitable accommodation which forces many to stay home under the roof – and bank of mum and dad.

Unless MPs back a key House of Lords amendment to the Bill, students could face a housing shortage and cost crisis – with those from disadvantaged backgrounds being hit hardest.  

MPs have the chance to protect the UK education system by safeguarding the provision of homes that make higher education possible for all – not just the privileged few.

For those students who will be out celebrating their A level results tonight, the 8th of September could prove to be the next big ‘results day’.

Stats source: https://www.nrla.org.uk/news/mps-must-seize-final-opportunity-to-protect-access-to-higher-education