Special housing edition: Student Voice podcast launches ‘Save the Students’ episode

New legal measures which ensure people living in rented houses cannot be evicted without reason have now been passed into law.

The new Renters’ Rights Act will remove no-fault evictions for people within rented housing, but is said to have indirectly resulted in a three-tired system for students.

The bill has been passed alongside the new Awaab’s Law, meaning tenants now have the legal right to have certain hazards, including damp and mould, addressed within 24 hours. It also means emergency repairs will now have to be assessed and fixed quicker.

However, while the new act will protect students in halls of residence and large student housing (more than three bedrooms), those living in one and two bedroom flats have been “inadvertently” left out.

Tom Allingham, communications officer from Save The Student said: “The fact is that this bill didn’t intend to create three different levels of protection, three different classes of student accommodation, but that has been a side effect of this.”

The Renters’ Rights Act will apply to new and returning students looking for accommodation for the next year. Just under half of students surveyed by Save The Students feeling their accommodation isn’t value for money – and around 69% of students having at least one issue with their student house.

Man Met student journalists at The Student Voice Radio have been exploring what students experience living both on and off campus. 

In a special edition, Student Radio hosts Claire Warner and Felicity Hitch dive deep into the problem of student accommodation in Manchester and the North West, whether it’s living in halls, shared housing, or elsewhere. 

Listen to the entire podcast here.

In Archway Halls in Hulme – one of Man Met’s popular accommodations – Holly Critchley spoke to Rylea Mason and Charlie Thatcher on the highs and lows of living in student accommodation. 

“It’s great to meet new people and become immersed in university life,” said Rylea.

“It has its highs and lows,” Charlie said, adding that student accommodation can be very expensive.

The increase in rent is daunting for those on the lower student loan threshold and for parents unable to financially support their child, who fear being unable to afford rent.

Leo Threlkeld and Cade Mulvihill spoke on Teams about their experiences of living at home, and the trials and tribulations of getting onto campus. Cade said: “The price of accommodation is pretty ridiculous… considering we are students.”

Living at home means there’s less risk of dropping out, he said. “It eases your mind not having to think about rent.” 

With 40% of students at Man Met already living in Greater Manchester, it shows people are reluctant to move away from home for university, mainly due to rent prices. Campaign and advice group Save The Student found that well over half of students say they struggle with the cost of rent.

Their survey indicates some improvement in the numbers, but still around one third of students say they’ve thought about dropping out of university due to rent prices. Cade, who lives in Levenshulme, said: “I didn’t consider moving to another city for uni due to the cost of accommodation.”

Claire and Felicity spoke with Tallulah Chanin and Erin Bodin about living together in shared accommodation off-campus, where they found rent was cheaper. “I really enjoy living with who we live with as there’s more choice,” said Erin.

Tallulah agreed: “Yeah it’s more fun, to live in your own area and have more freedom to choose your home décor.”

The sense of novelty of living with friends was not their only takeaway from moving out, and Tallulah described witnessing homes become neglected due to landlords becoming overwhelmed by their high number of properties. “More houses means landlords can’t be as attentive,” she said.

However, with the new implementation of Awaab’s Law, that may be changing soon. 

In the business school, Natasha Catchpole and Charlie Sheldrake interviewed Kelly Dannielle, a law lecturer, on issues with student housing and how the implementation of the new Renters’ Rights bill could affect students.

The bill had been going through the processes within Parliament in order to become law since September 2024. Now, around 400 days later, the last hurdle has finally been passed.

“When a bill is introduced to parliament it has to be debated first,” said Kelly.

“The bill is read for debate and then amendments are suggested before being sent for royal assent, which is the stage we are at now.” 

Although the Renters’ Rights Act is there to ensure tenant safety, bill exempts student accommodation.

“Under the new legislation, student halls will be exempt from the new provisions that will be contained within the act – students halls, such as the ones we have here in Manchester… have their own codes of conduct that they adhere to.”

“Manchester City Council estimates the total collective living costs for all of MMU’s £30,000 students is £458m,” said radio host Claire.

“MMU’s students have a huge contribution to the city’s economy as over 60% of us have part time jobs… but do the politicians take us seriously?”

Felicity and Claire spoke with Tom Allingham, who works with Save The Student campaign group.

“I don’t think students were particularly high on politicians’ agenda when debating the Renters’ Rights bill,” said Tom.

He also described universities becoming increasingly unaffordable for students due maintenance loans not matching the increase in rent: “The big issue is maintenance loans not keeping up with inflation.”

As the bill is now law, students are hoping to see their housing needs finally be recognised.