Rent & Payments
From 1 May 2026, new rules apply to how landlords can charge rent and request payments from student tenants in private housing. These changes are designed to make renting more predictable and protect students from large upfront costs.
How will this affect me?
Before your tenancy starts, a landlord can’t ask you to pay rent in advance just to secure the property. Once you’ve signed the tenancy agreement, they can only request up to one month’s rent upfront.
After you’ve moved in, rent is expected to be paid monthly. Landlords are no longer allowed to require large upfront payments, like termly or quarterly rent.
That said, its important to note that you can still choose to pay in bigger chunks if it works better for you, for example, lining payments up with your student loan.
The key difference is that it’s now your choice, not something a landlord can insist on. Overall, these changes are designed to make renting more manageable, especially if you’re balancing rent with student finance or part-time work.
Advance rent (upfront payments)
Landlords and letting agents:
- Cannot ask for more than one month’s rent in advance
- Cannot require large upfront payments instead of using a guarantor
This is a key change for students, especially international students, who may previously have been asked to pay several months upfront.
You can still choose to pay extra rent in advance if you want to, but:
- It must be your choice
- It cannot be required as a condition of the tenancy
- It should be agreed after the tenancy has started and confirmed in writing
Rent increases
Rent increases are now more tightly controlled:
- Rent can only be increased once every 12 months
- Landlords must follow a formal legal process to do this
- You must be given at least 2 months’ notice
If you feel a rent increase is too high, you may be able to challenge it if it is above local market rent levels.
Guarantors
Landlords can still request a guarantor, but:
- They cannot force you to pay extra rent instead of providing one
- They may ask for a UK-based guarantor in some cases
If you don’t have a guarantor, alternatives may include:
- Guarantor companies (paid services — always check terms carefully)
- Some Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), which may not require one
Getting advice
Remember you can always seek advice from the advice team if you need further clarity, we are here to support you through a number of aspects of private rented housing, such as:
- Deposit protection
- Contract checking
- Reporting disrepair
- The Renters’ Rights Act 2025
- Complaints (Lettings agents and Landlords)
- Harassment
- Evictions
- Finding a replacement tenant
- Tenant’s rights
If you need help with any of the above, you can book an appointment with one of our expert advisers using the link below.
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Need help?If you are unsure about a property, contract or housing issue, do not sign until you have asked for advice. |
