Propertymark has urged the UK Government to address the potential exodus of student landlords, prompted by findings from a Save the Student poll. The survey discloses that around 40% of undergraduates contemplate leaving university due to rising rent costs, leading to 7% experiencing homelessness. Additionally, 64% of surveyed students express challenges in meeting rent expenses.

Sophie Lang, student let expert and ARLA Propertymark regional executive for Cornwall, articulates concerns about the upcoming academic year's rent increases:

“Students are facing rent increases for the next academic year, and this is due to a lack of available housing and increasing mortgage rates for landlords.

“University attendance is increasing, yet available housing is not in line with that growth. Due to demand, rent in the private sector is increasing, and due to mortgage rate rises and the impact of tax relief changes, the number of housing in multiple occupation (HMO) landlords selling up in the last 18 months has also increased.

“If you couple this with the increasing legislation for landlords owning Houses in Multiple Occupation, which is far more stringent than that of residential rentals, we will see landlords continue to exit the market.”

Lang added: “Universities heavily rely on the private rental sector for second and third-year students, therefore it is important that the UK Government understands the crucial part landlords play in meeting housing demand, rather than continuing to penalise them.

“The UK Government should also increase student maintenance loans as general household bills and the cost have living have increased meaning these loans are no longer in line with this inflation.

“Unfortunately, rogue landlords and unprofessional agents remain in the sector. That’s why Propertymark agents, who operate to a higher standard than the law demands are recognised as the best in the field.

“We would recommend that students looking for future accommodation research local agents in their area to ensure they are Propertymark Protected and operate to a strict code of conduct.”