We did it – our student housing campaign has changed the law!
After over a year of campaigning, lobbying, and standing together, we’ve done it. We have changed Scotland’s housing law.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill 2025 has passed Parliament. It includes major wins for students and renters across Scotland. It hasn’t yet received Royal Assent (the formal final step before it becomes law), but once it does, these rights will officially be part of Scotland’s housing system.
This is one of the biggest tenant rights victories in Scottish History, and WE made it happen.
The Heriot-Watt Student Union with Cameron Fields, Student Union President, have been at the heart of the National Student Housing Campaign, founding the group, meeting MSPs, writing briefings and amendments, and standing outside Holyrood with banners and hope fighting for these changes. Our campaign changed the direction of this Bill and won rights that will protect students for generations.
The big 3 wins for students are:
Fairer Rent
From now on, landlords can only raise rent once a year, and must give 3 months’ written notice. If a rent increase feels unfair, students can challenge it safely. Previously challenging rent could lead to a larger increase then originally proposed, BUT now your rent can only go down or stay the same, never up.
Rent Controls
For the first time, Scotland can introduce rent control areas. Landlords wont be able hike rents when one student moves out and another moves in. A loophole we prevented! Rent controls are a game changer! They tackle runaway rents, make housing affordable long-term, and give students a fairer deal.
Power to Create 28-Day Notice Rights for Students in PBSA
Until now, students living in private or university-run halls (PBSA) were completely locked into fixed contract. There was no legal way to leave early, no matter the reason. Thanks to our campaign, this bill now gives Scottish Ministers the power to introduce 28-day notice rights for PBSA and university housing.
And we are not done with the good news
Sharing student flats will be fairer, how? According to the bill:
- Flatmates must give 2–3 months’ warning before leaving a joint tenancy.
- It cracks down on damp and unsafe housing with “Awaab’s Law”.
- It gives you the right to ask for a pet or make small home changes, and landlords must reply within 30 days.
- It ensures unclaimed deposits fund tenant support, turning lost student money into advice and homelessness prevention.
- It strengthens eviction protections and makes councils act early to prevent homelessness.
- It forces councils to track rent data, including student rents, so rising costs can’t be ignored again.
This is massive.
For years, students were left out of housing law. Now, because of our collective fight, students are written into Scotland’s housing system forever.
Cameron said it best: “This is proof that students have power. When we organise, when we fight, and when we refuse to be ignored, we win!! This is the proudest moment of my time as an officer, and a turning point for every student renter in Scotland”
Thank you to every Heriot-Watt student who emailed an MSP, came to an event, or stood up for change.
We didn’t just influence a bill - we made history.
With love and solidarity,
Cameron Fields, Student President
on behalf of Heriot-Watt Students’ Union
Proud member of the National Student Housing Campaign