It's easy to get lost in the excitement of moving into a new rented place.

But, it's vital student tenants know their rights before signing anything. Use our tips to ensure you don't get ripped off.

All too often, we hear stories of landlords taking advantage of young people's lack of knowledge when it comes to their tenancy rights.

And the recent introduction of the Renters' Rights Act (2025) has brought some of the biggest changes to the rental market in 40 years, making it even more difficult to keep on top of the latest legislation when it comes to student housing.

We're here with the facts to help you know exactly what you do and don't have to put up with. After all, if you're clued up properly, you could save some serious money on renting.

Whether you're moving into your first privately rented flat or you're already painfully familiar with the house-rental scene, you'll need to know your rights as a tenant.

What are your rights as a student tenant?

Here are your rights as a student in shared or single accommodation:

1. Fire safety in rental properties

There are a few things that your landlord is required by law to do to ensure you're protected against fire hazards in your property.

• There should be adequate means of fire escape in your property, meaning there should be at least one smoke alarm on every floor of the.
• Any room that has a working fireplace or burning stove also needs to have a carbon monoxide detector.
• Check who's in charge of maintaining the alarms. If it's you, you'll have to ensure that they're working and never run out of battery. However, it's worth noting that the landlord must make sure the alarms are working at the start of each new tenancy.

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2. Can your landlord enter your property?

The landlord, estate agent or people acting on their behalf cannot visit the property without prior warning.

If they want access to the property to give a viewing or carry out repairs, they legally need to give you at least 24 hours' notice before showing up.

If you're not going to be able to be there when they come, but you'd prefer that someone you trust be there when they visit, you can ask for a witness.

The only time they don't need to give 24 hours' notice is in an emergency. This includes things like a fire, a gas leak, a flood, an incident that has caused major structural damage, or when a crime has taken place on the premises.

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3. Do landlords need to check appliances?

All gas appliances in the property must be safely installed, maintained and annually checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. There should be a record of every check, and this should be kept at the property to prove it.

All gas appliances in the property must be safely installed, maintained and annually checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. There should be a record of every check, and this should be kept at the property to prove it.

Ask to see this before signing your contract, and make sure your landlord keeps on top of things while you're living there.

Your landlord is also legally required to ensure that any electrical equipment they provide is safe. This includes things like cookers, kettles, toasters, microwaves and vacuum cleaners.

Landlords must also make sure that all electrical installations (that's things like plug sockets, lights and switches) are inspected by a registered electrician at least once every five years.

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4. Are landlords responsible for pest control?

Student houses often play home to unwanted guests (and we don't mean your housemate's annoying other half).

Student houses often play home to unwanted guests (and we don't mean your housemate's annoying other half).

When it comes to infestations of mice, rats, bedbugs and bats (yep, even bats), it's often difficult to know who's responsible, as it depends on a number of things.

In short, there are some basic things to consider if you have a pest problem:

What you need to know if you get a pest infestation              

• Is it covered in your tenancy agreement? If your contract states that it's your landlord's responsibility to deal with pests, you can hold them to this.
• Were the pests there when you moved in? If pests or vermin are present from the moment you move in, it's most likely your landlord's responsibility to handle them.
• Was the infestation caused by disrepair? For example, if there are holes in the walls and floor (not caused by you) that your landlord has failed to repair, then the pests will be their responsibility.
• Was the infestation caused by you? A big one for some students. If you attract vermin by not getting rid of rubbish properly or leaving food out, then they're your problem.

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5. Are tenants allowed to have guests or sublet?

Whether you're living with friends or not, be mindful of those you're sharing with. If your guests cause any damage, remember that you'll be liable for it.

If you or a housemate accepts money from a guest for staying over, or if you want to rent out any of your rooms temporarily, this is considered subletting.

Subletting is pretty much always going to be against your tenancy agreement, so if you get caught, you could even be evicted. The only way to get around this is to ask your landlord (very nicely!) for permission first and take it from there. Don't hold your breath though...

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6. Can you decorate a rented house?

Before you start painting your walls or doing any major redecorating, you'll need to get written permission from your landlord.

If you're not able to paint your walls, you could instead decorate your room with things like cushions, rugs and photos in cute frames. Just be careful not to damage the walls. If you hammer in nails or use Blu Tack, you could end up with a hefty bill when it's time to move out.

As a general rule, the property should look the same when you move out as it did when you moved in. If you're mindful of this while making yourself at home, you can't really go wrong!

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7. What repairs are landlords responsible for?

If there are any issues with the property that could result in an accident, make sure you report them to your landlord straight away.

Your landlord is responsible for most major repairs, including any faults with:

• The structure of the property (the walls, roof, windows and doors)
• Sinks, baths and toilets
• Pipes and wiring
• Heating and hot water (including the boiler)
• The safety of gas and electrical appliances.

Minor repairs, such as changing lightbulbs and fuses, are usually down to the tenant. Plus, any damage you or your guests cause will have to be sorted by you.

Most landlords will be reasonable and make any necessary changes that are their responsibility as soon as possible.

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8. Can your landlord evict you?

 There are a number of reasons why a landlord could legally evict you, including the following:

• Being at least three months late on rent payments
• Being regularly late with your payments
• Breaching any of the terms of your tenancy agreement
• Letting the property and/or furniture fall into an unacceptable state
• Subletting a room without permission
• Causing serious nuisance to the neighbours
• Using the property for illegal purposes, such as dealing drugs.

What to do if your landlord wants you to leave?

Seek legal advice immediately if your landlord threatens to evict you. If they try to evict you without a legal reason and a court order, this is illegal. Only a bailiff with a valid warrant can evict you.

It's also considered a crime for your landlord to use any harassment tactics to get you out of the property. These include:

• Cutting electricity or gas supplies
• Threats and physical violence
• Refusing to carry out repairs
• Withholding keys.

If this happens, you should call the police immediately.

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9. How much notice do you need before you move out?

With the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act on 1st May 2026, most tenancies which were previously fixed assured shorthold tenancies are now assured periodic tenancies.

Where previously you would have been fixed into a contract for a set amount of time, now your tenancy will roll month to month. This means if you want to move out, you can serve two months' notice to the landlord in writing, and as long as it falls at the end of a rental period, you can move out and stop paying rent.

It's worth noting that one person's notice can end a tenancy for everyone in your shared house if you're on a joint tenancy. We would suggest always discussing with your housemates first and coming to an agreement.

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10. Tenancy Deposit Scheme rules

Every landlord is legally obliged to place your housing deposit within a government-owned deposit scheme called a Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) scheme.

This ensures that both sides are equally protected in case of any disputes. If your landlord fails to put your deposit in a TDP scheme within 30 days of receiving it from you, you could be due compensation.

If you want to make sure you get your full tenancy deposit back at the end of your tenancy, check out the advice in our guide.

Sources

Save The Student
10 tenancy rights every student should know

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