Morning, Monday, 12th October 2026
Online
This conference will examine next steps for student housing across the UK. Areas for discussion include affordability and access, accommodation supply and changing demand, housing quality and energy efficiency, implementation of regulatory reform, and priorities for planning, investment and institutional coordination.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to consider implications of significant reform to housing policy affecting student accommodation, including implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 in England and differing legislative and regulatory approaches across the devolved nations. Delegates will assess the impact of these developments on students, accommodation providers, higher education institutions, local authorities and local housing markets, alongside practical priorities arising for implementation, enforcement and institutional planning.
The conference will also consider wider pressures affecting the sector, including the availability and condition of accommodation, changing patterns of demand, investment and delivery capacity, and the relationship between housing costs, student welfare and access to higher education. Attendees will assess how policy, regulation and institutional practice can best respond to these pressures while taking account of housing quality, energy efficiency, supply and the differing responsibilities of those involved.
Tenancy reform, academic-year letting & supply
Discussion will focus on practical implications of replacing most fixed-term tenancies in England with assured periodic arrangements in a student housing market where letting and turnover have been largely organised around the academic year. Delegates will consider what will be needed to provide workable arrangements for reletting accommodation between academic years, give students and providers sufficient certainty, and support the effective operation of local housing markets.
The agenda will examine the purpose-built student accommodation exemption and amended Ground 4A, including their application across different parts of the market and implications for housing choice, provider practice and accommodation supply. Areas for discussion include priorities for clear guidance, timely communication and co-ordination between accommodation providers, HEIs, local authorities and enforcement bodies as reform is introduced.
Further discussion is expected on tenancy information, oversight and enforcement, including how responsibilities should be understood and applied consistently in practice. Delegates will also consider the interaction between the new tenancy arrangements and wider requirements for rented housing quality and energy efficiency, including priorities for coherent implementation and clear expectations for those responsible for delivery.
Energy efficiency standards, retrofit & housing quality
Forthcoming changes to minimum energy efficiency requirements in England and Wales will provide a focus for discussion, including the requirement for privately rented homes to reach EPC C or an equivalent standard by 2030 and the application of the new Decent Homes Standard in England. Delegates will consider how these requirements can be applied across the student housing market, with its mix of privately rented homes, houses in multiple occupation, university accommodation and purpose-built provision, and where further clarity may be needed on scope, exemptions and the relationship between different housing standards.
The agenda will examine priorities for planning and carrying out improvements across existing accommodation, including assessment of stock condition, identification of suitable measures, access to contractors and finance, and scheduling work around periods of occupation and the academic calendar. Discussion will consider the respective roles of landlords and accommodation providers in commissioning and documenting work, universities in supporting planning and communication, and local authorities and regulators in guidance, oversight and enforcement.
Further discussion is expected on the costs and delivery capacity associated with retrofit and remediation, and how investment decisions may affect rents, the viability of individual properties and availability of accommodation. Attendees will consider approaches to sequencing requirements and supporting effective implementation while taking account of housing quality, energy performance and longer-term supply.
Planning for future student housing need & capacity
We expect questions around changes in recruitment patterns and uneven pressures across local accommodation markets to be addressed, alongside national planning policy and guidance on identifying and making provision for student housing need. Delegates will consider what evidence is needed to assess future demand reliably, including student number forecasts, patterns of local and commuting demand, existing capacity and development pipelines.
The agenda will examine the respective roles of HEIs, local authorities and accommodation providers in planning future provision. Areas for discussion include expectations for universities in sharing credible recruitment forecasts and plans for changes in student numbers, approaches to improving the consistency and timeliness of local data, and how evidence should inform planning decisions, investment and the timing of new capacity.
Arrangements for identifying and responding to emerging shortages or excess provision will be considered, including approaches to co-ordination between institutional planning and local housing strategies. Discussion will also address how decisions on student accommodation can take account of wider housing pressures, regional differences and changes in demand without constraining necessary provision or encouraging capacity that may not be sustainable.
Affordability, access & student housing experience
Delegates will discuss priorities for addressing pressures relating to accommodation costs, housing quality and security, and the consequences for student choice, continuation and access to higher education. We expect discussion to draw on the National Student Accommodation Survey 2026, which found that 61% of respondents struggled with rent, 36% had considered leaving university because of rental costs, and substantial proportions reported accommodation problems or poor value for money.
Further discussion is expected on addressing barriers faced by students who may have fewer accommodation options, including guarantor requirements and the particular circumstances of international, care-experienced and estranged students. Recent HEPI research indicating greater concerns around affordability, continuity of accommodation and withdrawal among care-experienced and estranged students will inform consideration of the support and housing arrangements needed at different stages of study.
The agenda will also examine approaches to providing clearer information, fair and accessible complaints and redress arrangements, and better coordination between accommodation providers and HEIs when difficulties arise. Attendees will assess how tenancy reform, institutional policies and wider housing measures can be sequenced and implemented with proper regard to affordability, housing choice and supply.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
