This will mean that rent increases on properties owned by any non-government entity can be capped at a maximum of 6% in some cases. Currently this change will only be introduced in Scotland, but there is hot debate over whether it could be introduced in other parts of the UK also.
Change is already headed for UK renters, with the Renter’s Rights Act coming into effect on the 1st of May. The act will see the need for a valid-reason to evict a tenant, the abolishment of fixed-term contracts and the limit of rent increases to once a year. The abolishment of fixed-term contracts does appear to be an issue affecting students at face value, since student rental contracts tend to be for a set period of time.
University-owned accommodations will be exempt from the new act so they will still be allowed to offer fixed-term tenancies. Other student housing, such as house rentals may be affected however. Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSAs) will also be exempt from the new fixed-term rule, provided they are managed by a member of the government-approved student housing code of practice.
"University-owned accommodations will be exempt from the new act so they will still be allowed to offer fixed-term tenancies."
If the management of the property isn’t a member of the code of practice however, they will not be allowed to offer fixed-term contracts anymore. This could mean that some students will have rolling contracts, with no fixed end date.
While it doesn’t look like rent controls will be coming to England right now, some leaders across the UK have backed the argument. The Green Party not only backed rent controls but also the plan to phase out private landlords. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said that he would introduce rent controls into Greater Manchester if he had the power.
So, if they were to be introduced, what changes could students see?
In 2025, students faced an average £530.27 fee for their monthly rent, up from £522 in 2024. If rent controls were to be introduced, there would be a cap put on this rise, meaning that once the rent hit a certain number it would be stopped.
Sounds pretty good right?
There may be some downsides...
Due to the reduced price, landlords will take less money off of tenants and therefore put less money into their properties. This can mean that housing conditions can deplete in quality. The availability of housing could lessen as well. If landlords aren’t receiving enough money they could sell their property or convert it into a market-rate condo which are commonly aimed at middle-to-high income earners, removing the properties out of student budgets.