"With the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill moving rapidly towards becoming law, there is an opportunity that we must not miss to better support students throughout the rental process"
- James Maguire - Housing Hand
Nearly half of student renters in the UK do not understand how their credit score affects their ability to rent a home, according to new research from Housing Hand. The findings highlight a number of gaps in students' understanding of the rental process and suggest a need for more targeted support.
The Understanding Renters in 2025 report, based on a survey of 932 students, reveals that while 71% of student respondents consider themselves financially literate in relation to renting, many lack crucial knowledge that could help them secure and maintain tenancies more effectively.
“There are fundamental differences between student renters and other tenants,” said Graham Hayward, managing director at Housing Hand. “Our latest research provides exceptional insights into the nuances and surprising differences of the student rental market, showing clearly why a tailored approach is so important when renting homes to students.”
The survey found that 48% of students don’t know how their credit score relates to renting, and 20% don’t know what a credit score is at all. Additionally, 53% are unaware of how tenancy deposit protection schemes work, and 67% don’t know how long it takes to receive a deposit back at the end of a tenancy.
Knowledge of depositless rental schemes is also limited, with 70% of students saying they are unfamiliar with such options. Meanwhile, 38% had never heard of a guarantor until being required to provide one during the rental process.
Once students have moved into a property, confusion continues. The research showed that:
53% don’t know how to set up utilities contracts
28% don’t understand how to set up a direct debit
53% are unaware that contents insurance is their responsibility
End-of-tenancy processes are another area of uncertainty. One-third of students surveyed said they did not fully understand what would happen at the conclusion of their tenancy, and 44% were unaware of the correct notice period they are required to give.
Legal awareness is also lacking. The report found that 33% of students don’t know whether their tenancy is joint or individual, and 35% don’t understand the difference between the two. With the proposed Renters’ Reform Bill expected to introduce changes to tenancy structures, this lack of understanding could create problems for many student renters.
The report also noted that 76% of students don’t understand how the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill may impact them when implemented.
“We need to ensure that student renters understand their legal commitments and responsibilities in terms of contracts and notice periods,” explained James Maguire, sales and business development director at Housing Hand. “With the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill moving rapidly towards becoming law, there is an opportunity that we must not miss to better support students throughout the rental process,"
“Providing them with timely, relevant information in a clear, easily digestible format should be a core part of the rental service that all those in the sector deliver, from landlords and letting agents through to purpose-built student accommodation operators.”
