Ending student tenancies in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)

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Closes 22 Oct 2026

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Questions

1a. We have set out some possible circumstances under which notice to end a tenancy could be made. Do you agree with these circumstances?
1b. Please explain your answers to question 1a above
2. Evidence to support applications to end a tenancy will usually be required for each possible circumstance. For each circumstance, what evidence do you consider would be appropriate and why?

List of circumstances

The specific circumstances are:

  • Close family bereavement
  • Health issues requiring a return to the family home / hospitalisation / rehabilitation
  • National emergency or incident leading to cessation of teaching provision
  • Student is no longer matriculated, e.g. has withdrawn from university / changed to a university in another area / has been expelled
  • Serious risk to the health or safety of the student – e.g. has been subject to gender based violence, domestic abuse
  • Revocation of visa
3. We have proposed a notice period of 28 days for ending a student residential tenancy, with the possible extension of up to a further 20 days to request further evidence or information. Do you agree with this process?

The process

  1. Tenant provides landlord with notice of intention to end the tenancy on a specific date to be no sooner than 28 days from the date this notice is provided, giving details of the circumstances under which the tenancy is to be ended and providing any required information or evidence.

 

  1. Landlord acknowledges notice of intention within 7 days and either:
  1. Confirms date of termination, or
  2. Requests further information or evidence in respect of the circumstances referred to in the notice, or
  3. Denies the request to end the tenancy on the basis that the circumstances for ending the tenancy are not included in the regulations.

 

Where further information has been requested:

 

  1. Tenant submits the further information or evidence required within 10 days.

 

  1. Where the information or evidence is not provided within this timescale, a reminder will be issued and a further 10 days allowed for the provision of the information or evidence.

 

  1. If the further information or evidence is not received within the specified timescales, the notice to end the tenancy will be considered withdrawn.

 

  1. On receipt of the information or evidence, the landlord will consider it and either:
  1. Confirm the date of termination, or
  2. Deny the request to end the tenancy on the basis that the evidence provided to support the circumstances under which notice has been given is not specified in the regulations.

 

4. What do you think would be a fair process for challenging any refusal of a request to end a student residential tenancy?