The Student Accommodation (Codes of Management Practice and Specified Educational Establishments) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the 2024 Student Accommodation Regulations to update codes of management practice for student housing in England.
Key changes include the approval of a new Universities UK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice, the specification of educational establishments under the Housing Act 2004, and the revocation of several superseded regulations.
The amendments aim to improve standards, clarify application, and streamline the regulatory framework for student housing.
Arguments For
Improved Student Housing Standards: The amendments aim to enhance the quality and management of student accommodation by approving updated codes of practice that reflect current best practices and address potential issues.
Clarity and Streamlining: The revisions clarify the application of regulations and streamline processes related to the oversight and approval of student accommodation, making it more efficient for both providers and regulators.
Legal Compliance: The alterations ensure ongoing compliance with the Housing Act 2004, maintaining legal standards for student housing and protecting tenant rights.
Enhanced Regulatory Framework: By specifying educational establishments and updating regulations, a more cohesive and effective regulatory framework for student accommodation in England is established, improving accountability and consistency.
Arguments Against
Administrative Burden: Implementing the changes might create an increased administrative burden for educational institutions and accommodation providers, requiring adjustments to internal processes and potentially increasing costs.
Unintended Consequences: Amendments to regulations may have unintended consequences, particularly regarding the interpretation and implementation of specific clauses.
Limited Consultation: The extent of consultation undertaken prior to the enactment of regulations may be subject to scrutiny, with specific stakeholders possibly raising concerns about their level of involvement.
Resource Constraints: The effective enforcement of the revised regulations requires adequate resources from regulatory bodies, potentially resulting in challenges if resources are insufficient or allocated ineffectively.
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 233(1) and (4) and 250(2) of, and paragraph 4 of Schedule 14 to, the Housing Act 2004[1]. The Secretary of State has taken reasonable steps to consult the persons mentioned in section 233(2)(b) of that Act and is satisfied as to publication arrangements as required by section 233(3)(b) of that Act.
The Secretary of State issued these regulations under the authority of the Housing Act 2004.
Consultation with relevant parties occurred, and publication requirements were met.
- Citation, commencement and extent (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Student Accommodation (Codes of Management Practice and Specified Educational Establishments) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. (2) These Regulations come into force on 1st May 2025. (3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales.
These regulations are officially titled the 'Student Accommodation (Codes of Management Practice and Specified Educational Establishments) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025'.
They take effect on May 1, 2025, and apply to England and Wales.
- Amendment of the Student Accommodation (Codes of Management Practice and Specified Educational Establishments) (England) Regulations 2024 (1) The Student Accommodation (Codes of Management Practice and Specified Educational Establishments) (England) Regulations 2024[2] are amended as follows. (2) Before regulation 1 (citation, commencement and extent) insert— “PART A1 General”. (3) In regulation 1 (citation, commencement and extent)— (a) in the heading, for “commencement and extent” substitute “commencement, extent and application”; (b) in paragraph (4), after “Wales” insert “and apply in relation to accommodation in England”. (4) Omit regulation 2 (application of this part). (5) In regulation 3 (approval of code of practice)— (a) in the heading, for “code” substitute “codes”; (b) in paragraph (1) — (i) for “code” substitute “codes”; (ii) for “lays” substitute “lay”; (iii) for “is” substitute “are”; (c) for paragraph (2) substitute— “(2) The codes of practice are— (a) ANUK/Unipol Code of Standards for Larger Developments for student accommodation managed and controlled by educational establishments dated 5th September 2024[3]; (b) Universities UK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice for Student Housing dated 11th March 2025[4].”. (6) In regulation 4 (revocations and savings)— (a) in paragraph (2)— (i) in the opening words, for “codes of practice continue” substitute “code of practice continues”; (ii) omit sub-paragraph (a); (b) omit paragraph (3). (7) In the heading to Part 2 (amendments relating to specified educational establishments), omit “Amendments Relating to”. (8) Before regulation 5 (amendment of the Houses in Multiple Occupation (Specified Educational Establishments) (England) Regulations 2019) insert— “Educational establishments specified for certain purposes of the Housing Act 2004 4A. An educational establishment is specified for the purposes of paragraph 4 of Schedule 14 to the Housing Act 2004 (buildings occupied by students) if it is listed in the Schedule to these Regulations.”. (9) Omit regulation 5 (amendment of the Houses in Multiple Occupation (Specified Educational Establishments) (England) Regulations 2019). (10) At the end insert the Schedule set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.
This section details numerous amendments to the 2024 Student Accommodation Regulations.
It inserts a new 'Part A1 General', modifies the citation and application of regulation 1, removes regulation 2, updates wording and adds a new code of practice in regulation 3, revises regulation 4, simplifies the heading of Part 2, adds a new regulation 4A defining 'specified educational establishments', removes regulation 5, and adds a new schedule to the regulations.
- Revocations (a) the Houses in Multiple Occupation (Specified Educational Establishments) (England) Regulations 2019[5]; (b) the Houses in Multiple Occupation (Specified Educational Establishments) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2019[6]; (c) the Houses in Multiple Occupation (Specified Educational Establishments) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2022[7].
This section revokes three previous sets of regulations concerning houses in multiple occupation and specified educational establishments in England.
These older regulations are superseded by the new amendments.
SCHEDULE Specified educational establishments Regulation 2(10) [List of Educational Establishments]
This schedule lists numerous educational establishments which are specified for the purposes of paragraph 4 of Schedule 14 to the Housing Act 2004 (buildings occupied by students).
This list defines which institutions fall under the scope of these regulations.
EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations amend the Student Accommodation (Codes of Management Practice and Specified Educational Establishments) (England) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/947) (“the 2024 Regulations”). Under section 233 of the Housing Act 2004 (c. 34) (“the Act”) the Secretary of State may approve codes of practice which lay down standards of conduct and practice to be followed with regard to the management of houses in multiple occupation (“HMOs”) or of excepted accommodation. Excepted accommodation is living accommodation falling within Schedule 14 to the Act that is not an HMO for the purposes of the Act (excluding Part 1, which deals with housing conditions). Certain buildings occupied by students are excepted accommodation pursuant to paragraph 4 of that Schedule. Regulation 2 amends the 2024 Regulations to approve a new code of practice, Universities UK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice for Student Housing dated 11th March 2025. Regulation 2 also amends the 2024 Regulations to specify educational establishments for the purpose of paragraph 4 of Schedule 14 to the Act. Regulation 3 revokes various Regulations that are superseded by these Regulations. Copies of the new code of practice have been lodged in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. It is also available at https://www.acop.ac.uk. A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
This explanatory note provides background information, summarizing the changes made to the 2024 Regulations and the rationale behind them.
It highlights the approval of a new code of practice and the specification of educational establishments.
Additionally, it notes that numerous previous regulations are being replaced and information on where to find further details is given, along with information about the impact assessment.