Student stories

Introduction

The University of Sussex Housing Law Clinic provides free legal advice to members of the public on a range of housing issues. Working with local solicitors, the Clinic supports individuals dealing with issues such as illegal evictions, tenancy disputes and harassment from landlords. Between September 2025 and April 2026, the Clinic recorded 174 enquiries. This report is a culmination of an analysis of these enquiries, giving us insight into the main housing problems facing individuals locally. As a result of the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 coming into force on the 1^st of May 2026 significant changes to the private rented sector have been introduced, such as the end of section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions. This report predominantly predates the introduction of the Act but equally serves as a future point of comparison, demonstrating the often-precarious position private renters were in prior to the introduction of the legislation.

Types of client enquiry

Each enquiry has been categorised according to the main issue the individual was facing. The figures show how varied and interconnected the issues brought to the Housing Clinic often are. However, it is important to note that most enquiries do not fall neatly within a single category. Many enquiries include a number of issues and are more complex than these figures may suggest.

Of the 174 enquiries received this academic year, the main category of concern was possession and eviction at 26% with differing situations, but taken together, enquiries relating to housing conditions (disrepair, safety, overcrowding, nuisance) amounted to 29%. This information is shown by Figure 1.

 Figure 1: Types of enquiry received by the University of Sussex Housing Law Clinic 2025/2026

The number of enquiries related to housing conditions is significant. This suggests that poor housing conditions remain a significant problem for people seeking advice. It reflects a wider concern about the quality of privately rented homes. The Government has sought to address this through the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, which provides for the Decent Homes Standard to be extended to the private rented sector with the aim of giving renters ‘safer, better value homes’, and the extension of Awaab’s Law to ensure that serious hazards are addressed promptly. However, a recent parliamentary inquiry suggests stronger rights on paper will still need to be understood and enforced effectively in practice.

Client demographics

The Clinic’s enquiries were received from a range of individuals. Private renters made up the largest group contacting the Clinic (60%). However, the Clinic also receives enquiries from social tenants, homeowners, leaseholders and students. This is shown in Figure 2.

 Figure 2: Housing status of those enquiring at the University of Sussex Housing Law Clinic 2025/2026

Perhaps unsurprisingly, most of the Clinic’s enquiries continue to come from the East/West Sussex area. This is likely due to the location of the Clinic and local awareness of its existence. Some enquiries also come from University of Sussex students who become aware of the service through the Students’ Union. This is shown in Figure 3. 

Figure 3: Enquiries to the University of Sussex Housing Law Clinic 2025/2026 by county of residence

This report has also collated data on how individuals found out about the Clinic’s services. Many individuals found the service through an online search, while a substantial number were referred by local Citizens Advice services. Others found the Clinic through LawWorks, students’ unions or another route. This highlights the importance of signposting. This information is shown in Figure 4. The category of other includes various options such as personal referrals, legal institutions, word of mouth etc. Not every enquiry falls within the Clinic’s remit. People seeking help may not know which organisation to contact, highlighting how difficult the system can be to navigate.

Figure 4: How clients found out about the University of Sussex Housing Law Clinic 2025/2026

The importance of free legal advice

The Clinic received 174 enquiries during the academic year and was set up to offer 24 appointments. This gap between the number of people seeking help and the number of appointments available points to a broader issue. Demand for accessible housing advice is substantial, while the capacity of free advice services is limited. This is in a local context of a higher number of housing advice services, including legal aid providers, relative to other parts of England. This is likely to become even more important following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. The Act gives private renters stronger protections, including the abolition of section 21 evictions. As tenants become more aware of these rights and seek to enforce them, more people may need clear and accessible legal advice.

Therefore, these figures raise an important question. How meaningful are stronger rights if people struggle to enforce them in practice?

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