Overview
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces significant changes to tenancy law in England. Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) benefits from specific exemptions, allowing providers to maintain fixed-term tenancies and advance rent arrangements. Understanding PBSA Renters Rights Act requirements is essential for student accommodation providers seeking to benefit from these exemptions.
This note contains a brief summary of the qualification criteria, advantages and key actions for Landlords considering PBSA conversion.
What qualifies as PBSA?
PBSA refers to accommodation designed and managed specifically for students. The following are requirements for qualifying as a PBSA under the Act:
- Design & use: the building must be constructed or adapted primarily for student occupation.
- Student Tenancy requirement: tenancies must be granted to individuals enrolled or intending to enrol at a recognised educational institution.
- Accreditation: Landlords must comply with a government-approved code of practice (e.g. ANUK/Unipol Code).
- Specified bodies: Landlords can also be specified bodies. This applies to universities and other qualifying institutions listed in the regulations.
Advantages
Under the PBSA Renters Rights Act provisions, qualifying buildings benefit from:
- Fixed-term tenancies are permitted.
- Advance rent payments are allowed.
- Common law tenancies apply (not assured periodic).
Additional considerations
- HMO rules: Ground 4A allows possession at academic year end.
- Planning permission/change of use may be required.
- Full implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is expected in May 2026.
Suggested checklist for Landlords
PBSA compliance checklist:
Confirm the property’s design meets PBSA criteria (i.e. it must be purpose-built or adapted for students).
- Ensure tenancies are for enrolled/intending students only.
- Obtain accreditation under an approved code (e.g. ANUK/Unipol).
- Update tenancy agreements to common law format (not AST).
- Review planning requirements for conversion/change of use if the property needs to be adapted to meet PBSA requirement.
- Check HMO licensing and compliance with Ground 4A notice rules if the property falls under the HMO regime.
- Prepare for advance rent arrangements (if applicable).
- Monitor regulatory updates before the assured periodic tenancy regime comes into force on 1 May 2026.
Get In Touch
Jay Lafinhan is a Partner in our Real Estate Finance team.
If you have any questions or need further advice on how the base rate cut affects your property finance, please do not hesitate to contact us via our online contact form or call 0330 111 3131.
