Types of student housing
Not all student housing works the same - Your rights depend on the type of accommodation you live in:
Private housing (houses, flats, HMOs)
- Often rolling tenancies
- Usually 2 months’ notice to leave
- Landlord must have a legal reason to evict
- If you opt to rent from a private landlord, it is a private, legally binding agreement between a tenant and a landlord. This means that neither the university nor the SU has the authority to make demands with regards to an agreement but the SU Advice Team can advise what steps a tenant can take.
University halls
- Fixed-term contracts usually still apply
- You are normally expected to stay until the end date
Campus Accommodation
- If you have any queries about campus accommodation, in the first instance you should contact the university accommodation team via
- Accommodation@edgehill.ac.uk or visit their website.
- The accommodation team will be able to advise you about repairs, room transfers, and any potential restrictions based on Government and local guidance.
- If instructions are given in regard to restricted movement, that would be based on Government guidelines rather than contractual terms. We must again point out the Students’ Union Advice Team would not be in a position to challenge Government guidance in regard to restriction of movement or challenging to be released from your halls agreement based on restrictions set out by the Government or local authority.
Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)
This includes large, privately-owned student accommodation blocks and Studio flats or en-suite rooms in student-only buildings
- Often fixed-term contracts (if part of an approved scheme)
- If your accommodation is not registered under an approved scheme, it may instead follow the same rules as private housing.
- You may not be able to leave early unless you find a replacement tenant.
To find out if your accommodation is registered under an approved scheme and is classed as a PBSA please click the link: Unipol Student Homes
Important note
The type of housing you choose affects, how long you’re tied into a contract, how you can leave, what your landlord can (and can’t) do, and your rights if something goes wrong.
Not sure what type of housing you live in?
If you’re unsure what type of housing you’re in:
- Check your contract
- Look at who owns/manages the property
- Or contact the Advice Team so we can help you figure it out
If you were already renting before May 2026 your tenancy may no longer end on a fixed date in the same way and it will continue unless notice is given. However some terms of your original agreement may still apply and the exact position can depend on your contract. If you are unsure you can get advice from the SU advice team before making decisions. Renting is now generally more flexible for students in private housing but your tenancy agreement still matters. So you should always:
- Read your contract carefully
- Check what type of housing you’re in
- Speak to your housemates before making changes
Joint tenancies
Many students rent as a group under a joint tenancy (one contract for everyone).
A joint tenancy is a type of rental agreement where all tenants live in the same property and share responsibility for the tenancy. This means everyone is equally responsible for the whole rent, not just their own share. If one person doesn’t pay, the other tenants may have to cover it. This is called joint and several liability.
With a joint tenancy sometimes one person is chosen as a “lead tenant” by the landlord or the group. The lead tenant acts as the main contact for the landlord or letting agent and may help with administration tasks. It’s important to note they are not legally responsible for other people’s rent or behaviour because all tenants have the same legal responsibility.
You’re very likely in a joint tenancy if the agreement:
- Lists more than one tenant on the same contract
- Has one single rent amount for the whole property (e.g. £1,200/month total, not per room)
- Doesn’t divide the property into individual rooms with separate agreements
- Makes all tenants responsible together (often wording like “jointly and severally liable”)
It’s probably not a joint tenancy if:
- Each tenant has a separate agreement
- Rent is stated per room/person
- You only have rights to your room, not the whole property
All joint tenants are responsible for:
- Paying rent in full on time
- Paying their share of bills (if not included in rent)
- Contributing to the deposit
Important note
The Renters’ Rights Act strengthens tenant protections but does not change the basic rules of joint tenancies, like shared responsibility for rent and deposits:
- If one person gives notice, it can affect the whole tenancy
- The tenancy may end for everyone, not just the person leaving
- A new agreement may need to be arranged
This can have serious consequences for your housemates so you should always talk things through before giving notice.
If you are unsure if you are in a joint tenancy contract you should book an appointment with the advice team to go through your tenancy agreement.
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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. |
