The Scottish Government has lodged amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill 2025 that remove student rights previously included in the Bill.
Campaigners from the Student Housing Campaign managed to secure several changes to the Housing Bill that ensured students were offered the same protections given to other tenants.
The changes hoped to lower living costs for students by including student tenancies within rent control designations and in minister designated rent control areas.
However, proposed amendments to the Housing Bill published on September 16 and September 15, would see all previously “achieved” rights for student renters revoked.
The proposed amendments have removed student tenancies from the rent control designations and minster rent controlled areas.
Additionally, Section 2 of the Bill has been amended to specifically remove the phrase “or student”.
The amendments to the Bill are being debated and voted on for the final time on September 23 and 24.
As the vote approaches, the Student Housing Campaign are still advocating for the Government to includes several measures to better protect student tenants.
The propositions include:
- Protections against eviction
- The ability to end student housing tenancies ahead of the contract end date
- Include Student Residential tenancies to rent controls
- Guarantor Scheme Reform for non-UK domiciled students
Campaigners are urging students to contact their MSPs to ask them to vote in favour of stronger student protections in the upcoming debate.
Student Housing Campaigner and President of the University of Stirling Students’ Union Justine Pédussel spoke to Brig, saying: “”We know that housing is and has been a big concern for students over the last few years.
“The housing crisis has only gotten worse with the Cost-of-Living crisis, as rents have gone up.
“We know that many students struggle to find housing and are often forced into situations that should not be considered liveable living circumstances.
“As part of a collective of Sabbatical Officers around Scotland, we have been working very hard over the last year to ensure that students are included in and protected through the Housing (Scotland) Bill 2025.
“With cross-party support from MSPs, we have achieved huge successes for the housing campaign and the student movement that we want to make sure remain, as well as see additional rights amended into the Bill.
“This is why we are urging you to email your MSP using the NUS’s tool and make yourselves heard.
“While it is disappointing that the current Government has chosen such a short timeline and given short notice to finalise the bill, we know that MSPs will listen to students, staff, and the public, and do the right thing.”
Amidst the worsening cost of living crisis, financial hardship has now broached the door of most UK homes— including student households.
Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) rents have risen by 34 per cent since 2018.
As a result of the increasing bills, one in five students now rely on food banks to get by.
In the letter drafted to MSPs, one University of Stirling student said: “I pay more than half my income on rent, leaving me with just £50 a month for food and bills.
“I’ve skipped meals to get by.”
Campaigners have organised a rally outside the Scottish Parliament at 6.30pm, September 22 to protest the proposed amendments to the Housing Bill.
The Government was approached for comment, but confirmed they would not provide one.
Featured image credit: National Student Housing Campaign
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