Private renting
Renting as a university student
When you rent a property as a university student, you will either:
- rent from a private landlord
- live in halls or private halls
If you rent from a private landlord
You’re likely to have either:
- an assured shorthold tenancy before 1 May 2026
- an assured periodic tenancy (APT) from 1 May 2026
Check the rules your landlord will need to follow if you have an APT. This includes how the tenancy can be ended by you or be ended by the landlord.
If you’re living in halls or private halls
If you’re living in halls or private halls (also known as purpose-built student accommodation) then you will usually have a common law tenancy or licence.
If you live in privately managed halls, your landlord must have signed up to the National Code in order for the tenancy to be a common law tenancy or licence.
The National Code sets out additional rules that landlords must follow. This includes complaints processes and how the landlord manages their properties.
You can check if your landlord has signed up on the National Code website.
If they have not signed up to the code, you will likely have an assured periodic tenancy.
Ending a student tenancy if you live in halls and have a common law tenancy or licence
Your tenancy in halls will usually last for a fixed period, normally to the end of the academic year. You will be liable for the rent for the whole of that period.
Your landlord may let you leave in specific circumstances. You should check your tenancy agreement for your notice period, or contact your landlord.
Your tenancy ends when your fixed term ends. If you do not leave, the landlord must apply to the courts to evict you. They cannot force you to leave without doing this.
If you break the terms of your tenancy, your landlord may evict you giving the notice stated in your tenancy agreement.