Students like new tenancy freedoms – but landlords warn of higher rents

As he was signed up to a joint tenancy, when he left it ended the tenancy for the whole house.

Fortunately, Eddie had a friend who was looking for a room who was able to take his place so his housemates could sign a new tenancy.

He acknowledges the situation would have been more difficult for his housemates if there wasn’t someone who could take his room.

However, Eddie thinks the benefits for students are worth this risk.

“If you were to fall out with your flatmates or if you decide that university is not for you, being locked into a full-term contract can be really prohibitive financially,” he says.

“So without that flexibility, people can really be locked into situations that they don’t necessarily want to be in.”

Lewis Wilson, vice president for higher education at the National Union of Students, says this flexibility means students can also save money on rent by moving home for the summer.

While previously, many student rental contracts ran into the summer after courses had finished, students can now choose to move out earlier if they want.

Wilson says students also benefit from wider changes in the act, which bans landlords in England from evicting tenants without a reason.

Campaigners argue this gives renters greater security and confidence to ask for repairs, without fearing they could be evicted if they raise concerns.