Students living in the Bristol area could benefit from new plans to tighten up both the management and physical standard of all student accommodation.
Under plans from the Government put out for consultation this week, the management and standards of student housing could be brought in line with those already set down for privately rented housing, particularly through Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing.
The consultation involves three codes of management practice, covering student accommodation managed by universities, other higher education establishments and commercial providers.
Labour’s Doug Naysmith MP said:
“It really is remarkable that many student residences are not covered by the same regulations that other types of accommodation are.
“We have thousands of students in Bristol North West. These new plans would help ensure that their accommodation is both of a decent standard and properly managed.”
Housing Minister Baroness Andrews said:
"It is only right that, whether or not the halls of residence are operated by a higher education establishment or a commercial provider, similar detailed management standards should apply.
"This clearly reflects a major concern of students and their parents about the need for adequate standards in university managed accommodation. It is why we amended the Housing Bill last year so we could approve codes of practice for such accommodation. By approving these codes we will be endorsing some very detailed standards that will apply to all halls of residence."
The Housing Act 2004 allows the government to approve codes of management practice for both properties subject to HMO licensing and those specifically exempted from licensing. It also allows the government to exempt from HMO licensing properties managed by universities and other higher education establishments. Importantly it is not proposed to exempt commercial providers, but it is envisaged their compliance with a code should result in reduced licensing fees.
After the consultation closes on 6 October, secondary legislation will be laid before parliament to approve the codes and provide for exemptions from HMO Licensing for accommodation managed by higher education establishments.
