HISA recently responded to a Scottish Government consultation on Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (such as halls of residences at our campuses), calling for protection and advancement of students’ rights as tenants.
The Scottish Government launched the consultation following improvements to tenants’ rights in the private sector, and HISA's response stated our support for student accommodation keeping pace with these changes. In short, we called for private tenants’ rights to be the minimum and for the rules to reflect the nature of students’ lives when they move away from home. We called for protections including:
- The right to cancel a contract in the event of emergencies such as bereavement.
- Confidentiality and sensitivity for students needing to leave their contracts.
- Minimal bureaucracy and paperwork.
- A 28-day notice period, like in the private sector.
- The same rights for student renters, wherever they live.
HISA is aware that UHI students, including those who relocate to the region for study, face some unique challenges in housing across the Highlands and Islands. We’ve long campaigned on this issue, and are working with UHI to protect students’ housing rights including through the cost of living theme in our new Student Partnership Agreement.
Our Advice Service’s expert team has supported dozens of students with housing matters in the past two years, so if you have any concerns about your tenancy or other housing rights, they can help. And if you have any views or experiences to share about housing, or any questions about our submission to the consultation, please contact us.