More than 30,000 households in Birmingham rent their homes from a private landlord or agent with approximately 2,000 of these within the student lettings market in Bournbrook and Selly Oak.  These are in turn home to as many as 10,000 students predominantly from University of Birmingham, but also from Aston University and Birmingham City University.

With such a large market, comes a large selection of landlords and letting agents, which can create a sometimes confusing and overwhelming choice for some students, in what can be a first move into independent living.  To safeguard students and communities living in Houses in Multiple Occupation, there are a number regulations which landlords and agents need to comply with and which are monitored and enforced by Birmingham City Council.  There is also a range of advice and help available to students to help understand what these rules and regulations are and provide assistance where they might have been broken, through the Guild of Students, University of Birmingham and the Council.

There are also a number of rules and conditions for tenants, many of which will be in your tenancy agreement, which not only safeguard landlords and lettings, but the wider community, from potential problem student tenants.  These cover a range of items from repair and damage, to maintenance and anti-social behaviour.  There are a number of services through the Guild, University, West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council in place to ensure that these are enforced where required.

Hopefully within this section you will the advice, guidance, links and guides to help you make sense of what you can expect as a tenant and what is expected from you.