Paying rent in a student tenancy
Most students pay rent either:
monthly
a few months at a time
The advice on this page is for private assured tenants.
Most students who rent from a private landlord have this tenancy type.
We have different advice if:
Paying rent before you move in
Most landlords want some rent before the tenancy starts. This is called 'rent in advance'.
The most you can be asked to pay is 1 month's rent in advance. Your landlord or agent cannot ask for this before you sign the tenancy agreement.
If you pay 1 month's rent in advance, you do not have to pay rent again until the second month of your tenancy.
More on paying rent in advance.
Tenancy agreements signed after 1 May 2026
From 1 May 2026, a private landlord must give you an assured tenancy.
An assured tenancy is usually a rolling monthly tenancy.
It means you pay rent on the same date each month.
Check your tenancy agreement for the date you have to pay rent.
For example, your agreement might say you have to pay on the 1st of each month.
Your tenancy agreement should not say that you have to pay:
more than 1 month's rent at a time
rent before the rent period it covers
You can usually pay monthly even if the agreement says something different.
Some agreements say you have to pay rent weekly or every 4 weeks. This is not common. If your agreement says this, you must pay when the agreement tells you to pay.
Tenancy agreements signed before 1 May 2026
Your tenancy type changed on 1 May 2026 because of the Renters' Rights Act.
You have an assured tenancy even if your agreement says something different.
But your agreement might say you have to pay rent in larger instalments. For example, at the start of each term.
You should pay your rent by the dates set out in your agreement.
If you want to change when to pay rent, talk to your landlord. They do not have to agree. But if they do, ask them to confirm the day you should pay rent in writing.
Choosing to pay a few months at a time
You can pay for several months together if you want to.
For example, it might help you budget if you pay for the next few months when you get your student loan.
Tell your landlord if you want to pay a few months at a time. You can still pay this way even if your landlord says no, but it is best to agree.
Make sure you pay all rent by the date it is due. Keep a record of what rent you pay and when.
Example: Paying rent in larger instalments
Maude's tenancy starts on 1 September. She pays rent for this month before she moves in.
The tenancy agreement says rent is due on the 1st of every month.
Maude gets her student loan in September, January and April.
She tells the landlord it would be better for her to pay rent when she gets her student loan.
On 1 October she pays for October, November and December.
On 1 January she pays for January, February and March.
On 1 April she pays for April, May and June.
She is never late with her rent because she pays by the date in her tenancy agreement.
How to set up regular payments
Some people find it easier to set up automatic rent payments.
If you are renting from a private landlord, you could pay by standing order. This tells your bank to pay a set amount of money on a set date.
You set up a standing order yourself. You can usually do this through your banking app or by calling the bank.
A standing order is paid regularly until you cancel it. Remember to cancel after your last rent payment. It can be harder to get your money back if you pay too much.
MoneyHelper explains more about setting up regular payments.
Problems paying rent
Talk to your landlord if you have problems paying your rent.
Your landlord may be more flexible if you tell them why a payment is late.
You could make a repayment plan to reassure your landlord.
Find out how to deal with rent arrears.
Your guarantor might have to pay
Your landlord might contact your guarantor about your missed rent payments.
The guarantor agreement should tell you and your guarantor what they might have to pay.
More on guarantors.
Late rent fees
Check your tenancy agreement to see if you can be charged for late rent payments.
Your landlord can only charge a fee for late rent if both:
you are at least 2 weeks' late with rent
a clause in your agreement says you have to pay a charge
More on letting agent and tenancy fees.
Get help from your university
Student unions and university advice centres can check your tenancy agreement. They might also help with budgeting.
Most universities have hardship funds that can help with money problems.
Other help with rent
Check if you could get help with a grant or a loan.
Some students can also get benefits.
Last updated: 20 October 2026
