How the Renters’ Rights Act Affects Cheltenham House Shares

Posted on 21 March 202614 March 2026 by Fred Simons

The UK rental market is undergoing its biggest change in decades. With the introduction of new legislation, many renters are wondering how their living situations will change. Whether you are a student or a professional, understanding the Renters Rights Act in the Cheltenham landscape is essential for your next move.

Here is a simple guide to what the new rules mean for HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) and why the traditional student house share is changing.

The End of Fixed-Term Tenancies Under the Renters Rights Act in Cheltenham

The most significant change in the Renters’ Rights Act is the shift away from fixed-term contracts. Previously, renters would sign a 12-month lease. Now, tenancies are moving to “rolling” or periodic contracts from day one. For tenants, this offers incredible flexibility. You are no longer locked into a rigid year-long contract if your job relocates or your circumstances change.

The Pitfall for Traditional Student Housing

While flexibility is great, this rule creates a major pitfall for the traditional student market. Universities operate on a strict academic cycle (usually September to July). Under the new laws, a landlord cannot guarantee a house will be empty in September for the next group of students unless the current household is made up entirely of full-time students. If even one housemate is a part-time student or a recent graduate, the landlord cannot easily recover the property for the next academic year. As a result, many traditional student houses are disappearing from the market.

The Rise of the Blended Professional HMO

Because of these changes, the market is shifting. We are seeing a huge rise in high-end, blended house shares. These are properties designed for a mix of young professionals, recent graduates, and mature or postgraduate students. Instead of forcing everyone into a strict academic cycle, these houses embrace the new rolling tenancies. This creates a more stable, mature, and long-term community.

Navigating the Renters Rights Act in Cheltenham

At Athena Projects, we have adapted to these changes to protect our tenants. We curate premium, all-inclusive homes specifically designed for this new blended market. By offering individual room tenancies, we give you the flexibility the law intended without the stress of managing joint contracts. If you are looking for a secure, high-quality room that complies perfectly with the Renters Rights Act guidelines in Cheltenham guidelines, check out our available properties today to secure your hassle-free move.

Why All-Inclusive Living is the Secret to a Stress-Free Move to Cheltenham

Posted on 18 March 202614 March 2026 by Fred Simons

Moving to a new town for work or to study is a big step. Whether you are a recent graduate starting a new career, a young professional relocating, or a mature student tackling a postgraduate degree, finding a stable, all inclusive house share in Cheltenham is the smartest choice you can make.

Traditional renting comes with hidden headaches, but modern renters are realizing there is a better way to live and work.

The Hidden Headaches of Traditional Renting

When you rent a standard room, the rent is just the beginning. First, you have to set up broadband. Next, you must organize Council Tax. Worst of all, you have to split fluctuating utility bills with people you just met. This setup almost always leads to awkward conversations about who left the heating on. Starting a new job is tiring enough. You really do not need this extra mental load when you come home.

Our Premium All Inclusive House Share in Cheltenham

This is where our Granville Street property completely changes the game. We offer a “Super All-Inclusive” package specifically curated for young professionals. You pay one simple, fixed weekly rate. This single payment covers your rent, gas, electricity, and water. Furthermore, it fully covers your Council Tax. We even provide ultra-fast 1000Mbps mesh Wi-Fi. This ensures your video calls will never drop when you work from home.

Buy Back Your Weekends

As a busy professional, time is your most valuable asset. Our all-inclusive model actually buys back your free time. Firstly, you never have to chase housemates for bill money on banking apps. Secondly, we provide a fortnightly professional cleaner for the shared bathrooms and communal areas. You can officially say goodbye to the dreaded weekend cleaning rota. Instead, you can spend your weekends relaxing, hitting the gym, or exploring the independent cafes in town.

Secure your all inclusive house share in Cheltenham

Are you ready for a hassle-free move? If you want to focus on your career and actually enjoy your downtime, we have the perfect space for you. Finding a premium all inclusive house share in Cheltenham offers ultimate peace of mind. Check out our Granville Street property today to see our available rooms and book a viewing.

Moving to Cheltenham for a New Job? The Young Professional’s Guide to House Shares

Posted on 13 March 202613 March 2026 by Fred Simons

Moving to town to start a new job or a postgraduate degree is an exciting step. You might be a recent graduate or a professional relocating for work. Perhaps you are a mature student focusing on your PhD. Either way, finding the right place to live is critical.

While Cheltenham has a fantastic student scene, the reality is that when you’re working 9-5 (or tackling intense postgraduate studies), your housing needs change. You no longer want the “party house” vibe. You need stability, quiet, and a space that supports your career.

Here is your guide to navigating the Cheltenham rental market as a young professional or mature student.

1. Understand the “Vibe” of Different Cheltenham Areas

Cheltenham is diverse. Areas like St Paul’s are incredibly popular due to their proximity to the town centre and the University of Gloucestershire campuses. However, there is a big difference between a traditional “undergrad” street and a professional setup. When viewing properties, look for landlords who specifically curate houses for young professionals and mature students. This ensures you’ll be sharing with like-minded people who respect quiet hours and value a clean environment.

2. Look for “All-Inclusive” Options to Protect Your Time

Starting a new job is tiring. The last thing you want is to spend your evenings arguing with housemates over heating or Wi-Fi bills. The smartest move for young professionals is finding an all-inclusive house share. For example, at 24 Granville Street, we offer “Super All-Inclusive” setups that cover rent, standard bills, Council Tax, and even a fortnightly professional cleaner. This setup allows you to focus entirely on your new career or studies.

3. Check the Wi-Fi Infrastructure (Crucial for Hybrid Workers)

If your new role involves working from home even one day a week, standard broadband won’t cut it in a shared house. Ask the landlord specifically about their internet setup. Look for properties offering high-speed mesh Wi-Fi (like the 1000Mbps connections we install) to ensure you won’t drop out of a Zoom call when your housemates get home.

4. Prioritise Individual Tenancies

This is perhaps the most important tip. Avoid “Joint and Several” contracts where you are legally responsible for your housemates’ rent if they leave. As an independent professional, you should seek out Individual Room Tenancies. This means you are only ever responsible for your own rent, protecting your financial independence and credit score.

5. Get to Know the Local Scene

Once you’ve secured a quiet, professional base, you can enjoy everything Cheltenham has to offer. Whether it’s joining a local sports club, exploring the independent cafes in Montpellier, or attending the Cheltenham Festivals, having a hassle-free home gives you the time to actually enjoy the town.

Finding Your Perfect Professional House Share in Cheltenham

At Athena Projects, we specialise in bridging the gap between student living and professional life. We actively welcome recent graduates, young professionals, and mature students into our curated, high-end houses.

If you’re looking for a hassle-free, career-focused environment, a premium professional house share Cheltenham style is the best move. Check out our properties page today to see what’s available.

Individual student tenancies in Cheltenham | Guide

Posted on 10 March 20262 March 2026 by Fred Simons

When it comes to securing a house for the next academic year, the paperwork is often the most confusing part. If you are searching solo or your original group has changed, understanding how individual student tenancies in Cheltenham work compared to standard joint agreements is absolutely vital.

Before you sign on the dotted line, here is a simple breakdown of the two main types of student contracts to help you understand your options.

What is a Joint Tenancy?

A joint tenancy is the most common contract for established groups of students. In this setup, you and your housemates all sign the exact same agreement with the landlord.

Consequently, you are all jointly responsible for the property. If one person decides to leave university early and stops paying their rent, the remaining housemates are technically liable to cover their shortfall. While this is great for tight-knit groups of six, it can be slightly daunting if you are moving in with people you have just met. (You can read more about joint liabilities on the Citizens Advice website).

The benefits of individual student tenancies in Cheltenham

If you are joining a house share alone, finding an individual room setup is generally the preferred route. In this scenario, agreements are structured around your specific bedroom and your shared use of the communal areas.

Financial clarity: You generally know exactly what your own financial responsibilities are from day one.
Easier bills: Landlords offering individual rooms often include utilities in the rent, which stops you from having to split [student bills in Cheltenham] with strangers.
Community without the pressure: It allows solo students to enjoy the social perks of a large, buzzing student house without the pressure of coordinating a massive joint group.

The Athena Projects Approach: Hassle-Free Room Bookings

At Athena Projects, we understand that finding the perfect setup can be stressful. We believe solo students shouldn’t have to miss out on our premium 6-bedroom properties just because they don’t have a pre-made group.

That is why we offer hassle-free individual room bookings. We curate fantastic, high-quality house shares so you can get the vibrant community of a large house without the stress of finding five other people to sign with!

We currently have individual rooms available to book at:

5 St. Paul’s Street North: A highly social, vibrant house just 3 minutes from the FCH campus.
24 Granville Street: A stunning, spacious property offering immediate access to both the university and the town centre.

Don’t let contract confusion stop you from finding your perfect room. Get in touch with us today to discuss our flexible agreements and book a viewing!

Student Room near Francis Close Hall – Spring Guide

Posted on 5 March 20262 March 2026 by Fred Simons

As the Spring term rolls on, many students start to panic if they haven’t sorted their housing for the next academic year. However, if you are currently looking for a student room near Francis Close Hall (FCH), you can officially take a deep breath.

While the initial autumn rush gets a lot of attention, Spring is actually a fantastic time to find high-quality individual rooms. Whether you are a late applicant or your previous group plans changed, there are still excellent options available right on the doorstep of the University of Gloucestershire FCH campus.

Why finding a student room near Francis Close Hall in Spring is a smart move

Searching for housing a bit later in the year comes with some surprising advantages for solo students:

Ready-made communities: Instead of trying to coordinate a massive group of six from scratch, you can often step into a house share where some fantastic students are already signed on.
Clearer budgets: By Spring, you generally have a much better handle on your student finance and living costs, making it easier to choose a room that fits your budget.
Less pressure: The frantic rush of November is over. Consequently, you can take your time viewing properties to ensure the house is well-maintained and a good fit for you.

Top tips for your FCH Spring house hunt

When you are searching for an individual room, your priorities should be location, comfort, and local amenities.

Focus on the right streets: Look at highly rated student hubs like St. Paul’s Lane, St. Paul’s Street North, and Granville Street. Living on these streets means you are just a 3-minute walk from the 24/7 FCH Library for those late-night study sessions!
Maximise your downtime: Look for houses situated between the beautiful “Hogwarts-style” FCH campus and the town centre. This puts you just minutes away from Pittville Park and the buzzing Brewery Quarter (hello, Nando’s and Tesco Express!).
Use a checklist: Furthermore, don’t forget the practical details! Bring our handy [student house-hunting checklist for Cheltenham] with you to every viewing.

Secure your room today

At Cheltenham Student Homes, we specialise in high-quality, family-run properties perfectly suited for FCH students. We frequently offer individual room bookings in our premium 6-bedroom shared houses.

Two of our most popular locations for students looking for a student room near Francis Close Hall are:

5 St. Paul’s Street North: Located right in the heart of the student community, just a 3-minute walk to campus. It is a brilliant environment for joining a house share and instantly finding a community.
24 Granville Street: Offering the absolute best of both worlds. It is a quick stroll to FCH, but also perfectly positioned for immediate access to the High Street shops and town centre nightlife.

Don’t leave your housing to the very last minute. Get in touch with us today to see our current individual room availability and book your viewing!

Student house-hunting checklist for Cheltenham

Posted on 13 November 20252 March 2026 by joe

The rental market moves incredibly fast, which is why having a student house-hunting checklist for Cheltenham is essential. Whether you are leaving university halls for the first time or looking for a quieter spot for your final year, finding the perfect place can feel a bit overwhelming.

To help you stay organized, ask the right questions during viewings, and avoid nasty surprises later on, we have put together this comprehensive checklist. Save it to your phone and use it at every viewing!

The ultimate student house-hunting checklist for Cheltenham

1. Location & Travel

Don’t just look at the house; look at the journey.

Campus proximity: Test the actual walking time to Francis Close Hall (FCH) or Park Campus.
Transport links: Check local bus routes, their frequency, and whether there are reliable night services.
Safety: Take note of the street lighting on your walk home and check if the area feels secure and well-lit at night.

2. Condition & Safety

Never just glance at a room—look closely at the walls and ceilings.

Damp and mould: Look for signs of damp, mould, or excessive condensation around windows, behind beds, and in bathrooms. (Read our guide on [Condensation and Mould Prevention] for more tips).
Certificates: Always ask the landlord or agent to see recent, valid gas and electrical safety checks.
Security: Ensure there are working smoke alarms, solid locks on external doors and ground-floor windows, and safe escape routes in case of an emergency.

3. The Practical Bits

These everyday details can make or break a student house.

Water & Heating: Turn on the shower to check the water pressure and ask how the heating controls work.
Study space: Ensure there is enough space for a proper desk in the bedrooms, and ask about the broadband speeds in the area.
The exterior: Check where the bins are stored, ask about secure bike storage, and check with Cheltenham Borough Council to see if you will need to apply for a parking permit.

4. The final checks on your student house-hunting checklist for Cheltenham

Never rush the paperwork.

The Contract: Read the tenancy agreement carefully. If anything is unclear, ask for it in writing.
The Costs: Make sure you fully understand the deposit protection scheme, any guarantor requirements, and exactly which bills are included.
Move-in Day: Always agree on a detailed inventory before you unpack, and take date-stamped photos of every room on the day you move in.

Using this student house-hunting checklist for Cheltenham will give you the confidence to secure a great home. Ready to start looking? Check out our available properties today!

Category: Renting Advice