As your Students' Union President, I'll be joining a significant movement on Wednesday 23 October in Westminster, where student officers and university leaders will gather for National Lobby Day to advocate for fairer housing rights. I have contacted Emma Reynolds, MP for High Wycombe, requesting a meeting on this day to discuss the urgent need for changes in student housing policies.
This event is part of the larger fix student housing campaign, which outlines three key demands to address the housing crisis faced by students across the UK. The campaign aims to alleviate the financial and emotional strain on students by calling for the abolition of guarantors, outlawing rent upfront, and ensuring students are protected from Section 21 evictions. These issues particularly affect international, estranged, and working-class students, many of whom struggle to secure housing under the current system.
The Three Key Demands:
- Abolish guarantors: Many students are required to have a guarantor who owns property in the UK or pay rent upfront. This creates significant barriers, especially for international, working-class, and estranged students. Without a guarantor, these students often struggle to find housing, further marginalising an already vulnerable group.
- Outlaw rent upfront: Requiring students to pay rent upfront places a heavy financial burden on those who can least afford it. Many disadvantaged students are forced to borrow money, which pushes them into debt and financial instability.
- No Student Exemption for Section 21 Evictions: Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, which allow landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason, disproportionately impact students. These evictions disrupt studies, harm mental health, and cause serious financial hardship. We urge the government to ensure students are protected from these unfair practices.
The opportunity for change
The Renters' Rights Bill, announced in the King’s Speech in July 2024, offers a crucial opportunity to make these demands a reality. The Bill aims to address the housing crisis and improve conditions for renters, including students. Student unions are advocating for an amendment to the Bill that would eliminate the need for guarantors and similar rental schemes.
Call for Evidence: Share Your Housing Stories
To strengthen our case, I am asking students to come forward and share their personal housing experiences. If you have faced difficulties related to guarantor requirements, paying rent upfront, or Section 21 evictions, I encourage you to share your story. This Call for Evidence is a key part of our campaign, gathering real-life accounts of the challenges students face when trying to secure housing. The evidence collected will be presented to MPs on National Lobby Day to show the urgent need for reform.
The Call for Evidence is open from 11 September to 4 October, and your stories will play a vital role in helping us build a strong case for change.
Please email amy.pile@bucks.ac.uk or come to the Students’ Union and we can have a face-to-face discussion.
Lobbying for change
National Lobby Day is a pivotal moment for student unions to engage directly with MPs and push for amendments to the Renters' Rights Bill. By lobbying MPs such as Emma Reynolds, I aim to highlight the challenges students face due to guarantor requirements and other housing issues. Our goal is to ensure these concerns are addressed in legislation, so students across the UK have access to secure, affordable housing.
With the Renters' Rights Bill on the horizon, this is a critical opportunity for students to influence the future of housing policy and secure essential protections. The No More Guarantors movement is not just a campaign, it’s a fight for fairness, stability, and dignity for all students.
Amy Pile
Students' Union President