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Possession of student lets

Student lets: the ground for the next academic year

A new possession ground lets you relet to students for the next academic year.

A tabbed folder of documents stands on a desk under a warm lamp, with a mug of tea beside it.
A tabbed folder of documents stands on a desk under a warm lamp, with a mug of tea beside it.

A ground just for student HMOs

A new possession ground lets you relet to students for the next academic year.

Notice at the start, or not at all

You must have given notice at the start of the tenancy.

Narrow on purpose

It covers full-time students on a joint contract in an HMO — not purpose-built student accommodation.

Check the property qualifies

An HMO let to full-time students on a joint contract.

Give notice when the tenancy starts

And keep the dated proof.

Plan the year’s changeover

Deposits, certificates and the next tenancy’s dates.

Where it sits

Rules summarised from the government’s Renters’ Rights Act overview for landlords (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renters-rights-act-an-overview-for-landlords), published 1 May 2026. This is not legal advice; where a tenancy is unusual, take advice.

LetBuddy tracks per-room HMO tenancies, deposits and certificates with dates, and holds the notice you served in the case record. It does not decide whether a ground applies.

Common questions

Does the student ground cover all student lets?

No. It covers full-time students on a joint contract in an HMO, not purpose-built student accommodation.

When must I give notice of it?

At the start of the tenancy.

What if I didn’t?

The ground is not available for that tenancy; the other grounds still are.

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