Major Wins for Students in the Housing Bill!

We did it! After months of hard work, relentless campaigning, and students uniting across Scotland, we’ve achieved a HUGE win in the fight for fairer student housing. This is a monumental moment and a key milestone in our campaign – thanks to the collective efforts of students, Student Unions across the country, and the relentless determination of your Student President! 

We have secured THREE game-changing amendments to the Housing Bill. Here’s what they mean for students: 

• Amendment 51: Student residential tenancies – including Purpose-Built Student Accommodation and university halls – are now INCLUDED in the bill! This means that student renters will finally have their rights protected just like everyone else, including RENT CONTROLS!  

• Amendment 52: Local authorities will be required to include student tenancies in their reports to ministers. This ensures that student housing issues are officially recognised when shaping policies and making decisions. 

• Amendment 53: Student tenancies will now be considered when deciding on rent control areas. This crucial step could lead to fairer rent regulations in areas with high student populations – a massive win for affordability! 

These amendments are game-changing because they directly address long-standing issues that students face, like unaffordable rents and a lack of protections in halls and PBSAs. We’ve shown that when students unite and push for change, it works! 

A Huge Moment for Students! 

This victory shows the incredible power of students coming together to demand change. The bill originally failed to address the unique challenges faced by students, but thanks to sustained efforts from Cameron and Student Unions officers nationwide, we made sure that student voices were not just heard but acted on! 

From meeting with over 30 MSPs to rallying outside the Scottish Parliament during National Student Housing Week, this success was built on determination, solidarity, and unwavering commitment. Cameron, along with other student leaders, played a pivotal role in pushing for these amendments, proving that collective action works. 

But the Fight Isn’t Over Yet! 

While this is a MASSIVE victory, the bill still needs to pass its final stage, and there is a risk that these new rights could still be challenged or weakened. It’s crucial to keep the momentum going to make sure these protections stay in place and get even stronger. 

Take Action – Keep Up the Pressure! 

To protect these hard-won rights, we need to keep making our voices heard. Writing to MSPs is a vital way to maintain pressure and make sure the changes stay intact. It only takes a minute using the NUS Scotland tool – it’s automatic, quick, and makes a real difference. 

This campaign has shown what can be achieved when students come together to push for change. Let’s keep building on this momentum to secure lasting, meaningful housing rights for students across Scotland!