Rules on student housing to be relaxed

Rules preventing landlords from renting their properties to student sharers are to be relaxed.

New housing minister Grant Shapps wants to give local councils the choice over where they allow shared homes – known as ‘Houses in Multiple Occupation’ – rather than be dictated to by government.

He said: “Local people know the local problems they face – they don’t need top-down diktats from Whitehall telling them how to solve them, or indeed telling them to solve problems that don’t exist in their area in the first place.

“I’m not going to create unnecessary costs for landlords that could damage the rental sector and limit the number of properties available for rent, particularly when so many young people working in our towns and cities rely on sharing with friends for an affordable home.”

The idea has been welcomed by student leaders. NUS President Aaron Porter said: “Students often live in shared houses as this is the only affordable option for them. This is a step in the right direction towards undoing harmful legislation that would have effectively created quotas on the number of students able to live in certain areas, forcing many into unsuitable accommodation.

“We welcome this change and the consultation over the coming months, but will be urging the Minister to ensure that students are not excluded from certain areas simply by dint of their housing arrangements.”