If you rent privately while studying at DMU, this matters to you.
A new law called the Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect from 1 May 2026, and it changes how student renting works in England.
For a lot of DMU students, renting can feel stressful because we regularly hear about:
- Pressure to sign contracts very early
- Huge upfront rent demands
- Poor repairs or maintenance
- Housemates dropping out after contracts are signed
- Agencies creating pressure with “sign now or lose it” tactics
This law fixes some of those issues — but it also creates some new things students need to watch out for.
First: what type of housing are you in?
The new rules mostly affect students renting privately.
This probably includes you if you rent:
- A student house with friends
- A house through a private landlord or letting agency
This applies to many students renting through private agencies or landlords in Leicester.
These changes may NOT apply if you live in:
- Other purpose-built student accommodation providers
These often work under different rules.
So what changes are coming?
1. No more “no-fault” evictions
Before:
- Landlords could use something called Section 21 to evict tenants without giving a reason.
From 1 May 2026:
- Section 21 is being abolished
- Landlords now need a legal reason to evict you
This gives students more protection if issues arise with landlords.
2. You shouldn’t be pressured into signing ridiculously early
This is a big one for students.
Many students feel pressured to sign housing contracts months earlier than they’d like.
Under the new law:
Student housing contracts can only be signed 6 months before move-in date.
So if your tenancy starts in September, you shouldn’t be signing before March.
This should reduce panic signing and give students more time to make decisions.
3. Your tenancy won’t automatically end anymore
This is one of the biggest changes.
Previously:
- You signed for a fixed period (usually 12 months) → your contract ended → you moved out.
Now:
- Tenancies become rolling/monthly.
That means your tenancy continues unless it’s formally ended.
The important part: you may need to give notice yourself
If you want to leave:
- You’ll usually need to give 2 months’ notice
- That notice often needs to line up with your rent date.
Example:
- You move into your student house on 1 July 2026
- You pay rent on the 1st of every month
- You plan to move out after exams and go home on 30 June 2027
Under the old system:
- Your tenancy would usually just end on 30 June.
Under the new system:
- You may need to tell your landlord by 1 May 2027 that you’re leaving.
If you wait until June to say:
- "I’m moving out this month"
Your tenancy may continue into July/August and you could still be responsible for rent.
A lot of students may assume their tenancy simply ends at the end of the academic year — that may no longer be the case.
4. One housemate could affect everyone
If you’re in a joint tenancy, one person giving notice could potentially affect the whole household.
That means if someone:
…it could impact everyone else living there too.
Make sure you have honest conversations before signing with friends.
5. Landlords can’t demand huge rent payments upfront
This is especially important for international students and students without UK guarantors.
Some landlords have previously asked for several months of rent upfront.
From May 2026:
- They usually can’t ask for more than 1 month’s rent upfront.
6. Rental bidding wars are banned
Landlords and letting agents can no longer encourage students to bid above advertised rent prices.
That means more transparency and less panic competition.
7. Better protections for poor housing conditions
This includes issues like:
Local councils will have stronger powers to act against landlords who fail to maintain safe homes.
What should DMU students do now?
Already signed a contract?
Check what your tenancy says and get advice if you’re unsure.
House hunting?
Don’t feel pressured into signing immediately.
Planning to move out?
Remember:
You may now need to actively give two months’ notice.
Don’t assume your tenancy automatically ends.
Problems with your landlord?
Get advice early.
Need help?
De Montfort Students' Union Advice can help with:
- Understanding your rights
You can also contact:
Shelter England: www.shelter.org.uk (phone: 0808 800 4444)
Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Acorn union (tenant union): www.acorntheunion.org.uk
The main thing to remember:
This law gives students better protections — but it also means you need to be much more proactive about how and when you leave your tenancy.
Your contract may not automatically end anymore — and that’s something you need to know early.