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New students: You will probably need to pay a rental deposit, plus rent in advance before you start your studies:

• speak to your landlord to see if you can delay the rent payment until you receive your student funding
• »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â Halls have payment plans that match up with your SFE payment dates
• work over the summer before starting at university to save up some money
• apply for a student bank account and arrange an interest-free overdraft – see our other FAQs section 'Funding and Money Issues' How do I open an interest-free student bank account for more information
• ask family/ friends for support.

Continuing students: You will be asked to pay a rent deposit/retainer once you have secured accommodation for next academic year. But before you book, take a look at our Don't Rush to Rent information.

See if you are eligible to apply to the »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â Support Fund for possible financial support with your deposit.

A guarantor is someone who agrees to confirm that a tenant has the ability to pay the rent and any damages.

The guarantor will be held responsible for any rent payments that are not paid by the tenant.

There are a number of guarantor schemes. Here are a few suggestions:

If you are assessed by your funding provider as independent due to estrangement from your parents, »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â Transitions can offer guidance and support.

Prior to the Renters' Rights Act that came into force on 1 May 2026, landlords used to expect students with no UK guarantor (e.g. international students) to pay large amounts of rent in advance. They are no longer allowed to do this, they can only ask for one month's rent in advance. Students can choose to pay bigger amounts upfront, but the landlord cannot demand it.

Starting university is exciting, but it is a big change and you may feel homesick. Please take a look at this information on adjusting to student life.

Don’t feel alone – »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â Transitions are here to support you. You can call 0116 257 7872 or 0116 366 4456. Or you can email: transitions@dmu.ac.uk

Difficulties with your accommodation can be very unsettling. If you are in Halls of Residence, try speaking to your Hall Manager. If you are renting privately, contact the lettings agent or landlord.

DSU Advice in the Students' Union can support you with a range of .

If your problems are connected with money issues, please book a 15-minute with us, so that we can discuss your difficulties and advise you further.

Difficulties with your housemates can be unsettling. Here are some and how to solve them.

Tenancy agreements can vary widely, some are reasonably priced and affordable.

You can book into a 30-minute to do a tailored budget plan to check the affordability.

Some students might find that the Maintenance Loan isn't enough to cover the more expensive rental options/ or longer contract lengths. You may wish to consider:

• checking that you are receiving the maximum undergraduate Maintenance Loan that you are eligible for
• securing a part-time job to boost your income
• opening an interest-free student bank account/ or increase the agreed limit in the new academic year
• checking if you are eligible to apply to the »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â Support Fund for possible help towards high rent costs
• asking family/ friends for support
• moving to new, cheaper accommodation when you can be released from your rental contract. Check this information on

You may wish to consider:

• checking that you are receiving the maximum undergraduate Maintenance Loan that you are eligible for
• securing a part-time job to boost your income
• opening an interest-free student bank account/ or increase the agreed limit in the new academic year
• checking if you are eligible to apply to the »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â Support Fund for possible help towards high rent costs
• asking family/ friends for support
• talking to your guarantor (if you have one) as they will be affected too if you don't pay the rent
• moving to new, cheaper accommodation when you can be released from your rental contract. Check this information on

If you are concerned about how you will pay your rent, either book a 15-minute with us, or email: moneyadvice@dmu.ac.uk

You need to carefully check the wording that landlords and accommodation providers use, as they often only 'threaten' tenants with eviction in the early stages.

There is a legal process that must be followed before a tenant can be evicted. Please check the information on .

With the introduction of the new Renters Rights Act from 1 May 2026, landlords can no longer issue 'no-fault evictions', which used to be done by serving a Section 21 notice. Landlords need a legal reason to evict a tenant (e.g. rent arrears). This would be done by issuing a Section 8 notice. They can also decide to sell the property but they need to give the tenant 4 months' notice.

If you would like to contact us about it, please either email moneyadvice@dmu.ac.uk or book a 15-minute . You might need to be referred to a Senior Welfare Officer for a longer appointment.

If you need help urgently, please telephone: 0116 252 7595, select option 3, then option 4.

In most cases your Council will automatically be notified by »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â of your eligibility, therefore there is no need for you to request a certificate. Twice a year; end of October, end of March, »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â’s Student Fees and Finance team produces a list of all full-time students to the following councils to notify them of eligible students living in their local authority area:

• Leicester City Council
• North West Leicester District Council
• Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
• Hinckley and Bosworth District Council
• Market Harborough District Council.

If you don't live in the above areas, you can download a Council Tax Exemption Certificate from via the 'My Locker', then the 'My Documents' tiles.

You can download a Council Tax Exemption Certificate from via the 'My Locker', then the 'My Documents' tiles.

Please note: it's the student's responsibility to ensure »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â holds your current full postal address. If your address is incorrect on the University’s records, the documentation provided will be wrong and you won't be automatically exempt. You can update your address via my»ÆÉ«²Ö¿â at any time.

Some landlords/ letting agents may request a certificate in advance of you moving into a property. You can only obtain a certificate when you are enrolled. First Year students will need to provide the Offer Letter and then provide a Council Tax Exemption Certificate once you have enrolled.

Contact the staff at the main desk in Registry Services, ground floor of Gateway House:

T: 0116 257 7595 (select option 3, then select option 1)

E: studentgateway@dmu.ac.uk

Economic abuse is a legally recognised form of domestic abuse. It often takes place in the context of intimate partner violence. It involves the control of a partner's, or ex-partner’s, finances and things that money can buy, such as clothing, transport, food and a place to live. The charity provides more information.

partnered with the Home Office to provide the which ran until 26 February 2026. The Fund helped survivors of domestic abuse to flee and help rebuild their lives. There were two areas of support:

• Flee Fund: up to £500 for essential living costs
• Future Fund: up to £2,500 towards the future, e.g. deposit and rent for a new place to live.

These one-off payments were administered via a referral from frontline support services and payments were made up to 31 March 2026.

is a partnership between Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA), , and RISE (Brighton and Hove).

The project aims to make sure local services work together to better meet the multiple and complex needs of victim-survivors of economic abuse, to:

• keep survivors safe
• hold abusers accountable
• rebuild economic stability after abuse.

Economic advocacy is an important part of the coordinated community response. It can include supporting victim-survivors to access grants, benefits, debt advice and housing. It can also include supporting victim-survivors with employment, helping them to gain or regain financial stability and build an independent life.

If you are already homeless, or due to become homeless soon, please telephone: 0116 252 7595 select option 3, then option 4 so that we can book you an appointment with a Senior Welfare Officer to discuss your circumstances.

A new law started on 1 May 2026, the , which aims to give tenants in England, in the private rented sector more stability and protection. There are some exemptions for tenants in purpose-built student accommodation (e.g. halls of residence).

This is a very brief summary of the main changes:

• Landlords can no longer issue 'no-fault evictions', which used to be done by serving a Section 21 notice. Landlords need a legal reason to evict a tenant (e.g. rent arrears). This would be done by issuing a Section 8 notice. They can decide to sell the property but not within the first 12 months of the tenancy and then they need to give the tenant 4 months' notice.


• Rent can only be increased once a year, but the tenant must be given 2 months' notice and the amount must be comparable for the area. This would be done by issuing a Section 13 notice.


• An end to most fixed-term tenancies (called Assured Shorthold Tenancy) - these will now automatically become rolling contracts, called 'periodic tenancies'. However, there is a difference for students in purpose-built student accommodation. See our other FAQs for more information.


• Tenants can no longer be asked for more than one month's rent in advance when starting a new tenancy.


• The signing up to a tenancy can only be done six months maximum before the tenancy starts, if the landlord wants to use possession ground 4A at a later date to evict students during the summer to make the property available for the next academic year.


• Landlords can't discriminate against letting their property to tenants with children, or anyone on benefits, and they need to give reasonable consideration for a request to have a pet. Purpose-built student accommodation is exempt.

Changes for housing association tenants are expected in Autumn 2027.

It depends on what type of student accommodation you are in:

• Purpose-built student accommodation: these buildings tend to be a development that contain 15+ bed spaces, for example, halls of residence that are signed up to a government-approved code of practice. These rentals are exempt from most of the Renters Rights Act changes.


• Private rented sector: for example, renting a house/flat on your own, or sharing with other tenants. These tenants will be affected by the Renters' Rights Act.

We will refer to these two distinctions when answering the other questions.

It depends on what type of student accommodation you are in:

• Purpose-built student accommodation: tenants can still be given fixed-term tenancy agreements that are likely to cover the academic year


• Private rented sector: tenancy agreements will change over to a rolling contract (e.g. monthly) so the previous fixed-term will no longer apply.

Landlords are required to issue an Information Sheet by 31 May 2026 to notify tenants of the changes. If they don't the landlord could be fined for not doing so.

Private rented sector: under the new Renters' Rights Act, landlords have to let their property at the advertised price, so no-one can offer more than that amount to secure the tenancy.

Landlords can only increase the rent once a year, as long as they give the required 2 months' notice and issue a Section 13 rent increase notice.

The National Union of Students (NUS) provides Renters Rights Act information on .

If you were served the Section 21 notice before 1 May 2026, then yes it is still valid. If the court process was started before 1 May 2026, in some cases it can be completed after that date.

Private rented sector: if you are a full-time student, your landlord may be able to evict you using possession ground 4A. They will be able to do this at the end of the academic year and must give you 4 months’ notice ending between 1 June and 30 September.

Your landlord can only use this ground if they have previously given you written notice that they may use it. They must give this to you by 31 May 2026, in most cases. Giving a tenant the required information sheet does not count as that written notice.

If your landlord wants to evict you at the end of the 2025/26 academic year, they can serve you a notice seeking possession between 1 May and 30 July 2026 (inclusive). They will need to give this to you with at least 2 months’ notice.

Shelter provides .

Private rented sector: you need to provide 2 months' notice to your landlord, this is called a 'notice to quit'. Make sure you get the correct date to avoid being liable for an additional rent payment. Alternatively, you and your landlord can discuss a different end-date if you both agree to a shorter period of notice.

IMPORTANT: if you are renting privately in a shared house/flat and you have a joint tenancy, if one tenant gives their notice to quit, that ends the tenancy for all the other tenants too. The remaining tenants may wish to negotiate with the landlord to generate a new tenancy agreement.

Energy suppliers can't cut you off if you are struggling to pay, they need to discuss a payment plan. Have a look at the information from the following organisations: , , and .

• TIP: paying by direct debit could be as much as 9% cheaper than paying by monthly receipt-of-bill
• TIP: try the on your combi boiler to save money
• TIP: every degree lowered on your boiler thermostat could reduce your bill by 10%
• TIP: remember to bleed your radiators, if they have trapped air, they won't heat up well, then top-up the boiler pressure afterwards
• TIP: how you cook can save money - cookers are the most expensive to run, slow cookers are 80% cheaper, then air fryers are cheaper still, with microwaves being the cheapest option. Unplug your microwave after use, otherwise it's just an expensive clock (you could save £16.37 a year by not leaving it on standby)

Energy Price Cap on utility bills: OFGEM's Energy Price Cap for a typical household paying gas and electricity via direct debit is £1,641 from 1 April until 30 June 2026. It is important to note that this caps the UNIT cost - if you use less units, you will be charged less - if you use more units, you will be charged more.

Government support with the cost of living: the government website lists what support is available to help with the cost of living and gives energy saving tips to save money.

Here are some reasons why your bill might have suddenly spiked:

• if you were on a cheap-fixed-deal that has ended, it would increase more
• if you have large debts/ arrears you can expect to see your direct debit go up
• are you submitting regular meter readings, or is your smart meter working? An estimated bill could be wrong
• companies like British Gas and EDF only re-assess direct debit amounts once or twice a year, so that could explain if it goes up drastically in the near future. You can ask to increase your direct debit before their review if you wish.

You have a right to a fair direct debit under the energy firm's licenced agreement. Talk to your supplier first, failing that, consult the . If you know how much energy you are using, you can use .

• : encourages energy conservation by providing free and impartial advice on energy bills, fuel debt, tariff switching, grant availability, to households in Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and surrounding local areas.


• : half price electricity between 11am - 4pm on Sundays. You would need to sign up and have a smart meter.


• : you don't have to be a British Gas customer, but you do need to follow their process of seeking advice before applying for a grant.


• Broadband: and provide low-cost broadband for those on certain benefits.


• : £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026.


• : cost of living website has lots of information, including the Household Support Fund for those struggling with buying food, paying energy and water bills.


• : provides help and support if you are , plus advice on energy saving, and help from Leicester Energy Action.


• : a charity set up to increase support for the most vulnerable people with energy bills.


• : put your postcode in to see what freebies you can get.


• : is currently closed. It will re-open in October 2026. The scheme provides £150 off electricity bill if on a low income or pension credit.


• : up to £300 towards heating bills. Most eligible people (pensioners) get the payment automatically and will be paid in November or December 2026. If income is more than £35,000, HMRC will take back all the Winter Fuel Payment through the tax system.

• : if you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. Your benefit will be added onto this card every 4 weeks.


• Coventry City Council: , along with links to social supermarkets and food banks. Your child may be eligible for .


• : provides lots of information. Buy food at discounted prices at the , near Leicester Forest East. Your child may be eligible for .


• : compare prices in the big supermarkets, discover daily deals, and create smart shopping lists to save up to 30% on your next grocery trip.


• : downloading the app lets customers buy and collect Magic Bags of food at a great price, directly from businesses, that would normally go to waste.

If you are noticing that gambling is starting to impact your finances, there are organisations that can provide support:

• : Founder of the National Gambling Helpline
• : Get the support you need to quit online gambling
• : Take control of your gambling by blocking your access to accounts on gambling websites and apps - it’s free, quick, and easy
• : follows on from the longstanding 'When The Fun Stops, Stop' campaign
• : free advice, tools and support to help keep people safe from gambling harms
• »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â’s Wellbeing Team

Being in debt can be stressful, worrying and overwhelming. If you are concerend about gambling debts, book a 15-minute where you might be referred to a Senior Welfare Officer if needed, to discuss your circumstances. The Senior Welfare Officer can refer you to an external specialist for free impartial debt advice. We have teamed up with StepChange Debt Charity. Whatever your situation, you can use this without needing an appointment. By answering a few simple questions, StepChange can:

• Help you understand what to do next
• Provide support and guidance.