Landlords plan to delay renting their accommodation until later in the academic year after changes to UK legislation, in a move that could ease the pressure on students to snap up housing, polling suggests.

For years, it has been standard practice for students to start looking for next year’s housing only weeks into starting their university term.

But a survey by  shows landlord attitudes may be shifting in response to the Renters’ Rights Act, which came into force earlier this year.

The poll of landlords and letting agents, responsible for approximately 7,400 student properties, found 45 per cent intend to delay marketing their accommodation.

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This is in response to Ground 4A of the legislation, which holds that landlords can repossess properties at the end of the academic year – specifically between June and September – so they can prepare their housing for use by a subsequent cohort of students.

In order to make use of the mechanism, landlords can’t sign tenancy agreements more than six months in advance – meaning many appear to be rethinking advertising properties a year ahead of their occupation.

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AFS’ research finds that 73 per cent of landlords intend to use Ground 4A, while 65 per cent said they were aware signing tenancies too far in advance could affect their ability to rely on it.

For students, the transition means more accommodation could be available later in the year, rather than housing searches dominating in October and November.

AFS is not the only company to highlight how the Renters’ Rights Bill could transform the student letting experience.

YieldMe, a specialist sales agency for HMOs (houses in multiple occupation), earlier this month , confirming fears that the new legislation could increase student housing shortages in some areas. 

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The business processed £170 million worth of sales in the past 12 months, with managing director James Biddle suggesting private landlords were “looking at the direction of the market, the increasing costs involved, and the amount of regulation coming in, and many believe it is the right time to sell up”.

“The student market itself is still performing very strongly, particularly in major university cities, but the way landlords operate within it is changing,” Biddle said.

AFS’ analysis suggested the introduction of what Labour has billed as more renter-friendly legislation, however, is a net good for university goers.

“Students may have longer to establish friendship groups, compare accommodation options and make more informed decisions before signing a tenancy agreement,” AFS noted.

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Simon Thompson, director and founder of the 24-year-old student accommodation website, said: “The student lettings market has operated in broadly the same way for many years. Students arrive at university in September and, within a matter of weeks, many are already being encouraged to think about accommodation for the following academic year.

"That has created a culture where students often feel under pressure to make major housing decisions before they have properly settled into university life, explored different areas, or even decided who they want to live with.

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“Our research suggests many landlords are now reviewing that approach as they adapt to the new legislation. While the traditional autumn lettings season is not going to disappear overnight, we could see more properties coming on to the market later than students have been used to in previous years.”

georgia.luckhurst@timeshighereducation.com