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UK: Student HMO landlords will be allowed to serve expulsion notices during a two-month period after the Renters’ Rights Act is introduced.
Landlords that signed a tenancy agreement before 1 May 2026 will be allowed to serve that notice under ground 4A, or the student possession ground. They can serve the notice between 1 May and 31 July.
Ground 4A allows for landlords of houses with three or more full-time students sharing a kitchen or bathroom to serve an eviction notice to make way for new students. The standard notice period is four months.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) said the change reflected requests it made of the Government, and that the exception would allow for needed turnover prior to the fall term.
“There was a very real prospect that tens of thousands of students could have been denied access to the housing they need from September as landlords would have been unable to regain possession of properties in time,” NRLA chief Ben Beadle said.
“The guidance issued today provides welcome clarity that will avoid such chaos.”
Highlights:
- The Renters’ Rights Act has been amended to include a two-month expulsion window for student HMO landlords, allowing them to serve eviction notices between 1 May and 31 July 2026.
- Landlords with tenancy agreements signed before 1 May 2026 may use ground 4A (the student possession ground) to regain possession of properties occupied by three or more full-time students sharing kitchen or bathroom facilities.
- The standard notice period for eviction under this ground is four months, with the amendment designed to facilitate turnover ahead of the autumn academic term.
- The National Residential Landlords Association stated the change reflects its recommendations to government and prevents a scenario where students would be denied access to housing due to landlords being unable to regain possession in time for September.
