Students in Scotland have rejected one of the principal tenets of the Scottish Government’s Private Housing (Tenancies) Bill as unworkable.

In a new study of those living in the private rented sector, a majority of students said they wanted to keep costs down with tenancy arrangements that match the 9-10 month academic year.

Such tenancies would be abolished under the Scottish Government’s new plans for a single, open-ended contract.

Just over half of students (54%) would prefer to keep the current fixed term tenancies, with the option to renew.

Most (64%) felt keeping rental costs down by vacating a property during the summer months was important.

In addition, 92% said that being able to secure accommodation for the next academic year as early as possible was important.

The open-ended tenancies proposed in the Bill would also make this very difficult as the new system precludes landlords from advertising properties until a tenant has agreed to leave.

The survey was commissioned to help inform MSPs as they consider amendments to the Bill by campaign group PRS4Scotland, which is now calling for a specific ‘student tenancy’.

Dan Cookson for PRS4Scotland said: “These detailed research findings show that, while clearly well-intentioned, the Government’s one-size-fits-all approach to tenancies will cause huge problems for tenants and landlords alike.”