The universities minister says it is "deeply concerning" so many student housing blocks remain unfinished, leaving students in temporary accommodation.
Chris Skidmore is calling together providers of student accommodation, many of them private developers, to "ensure these failures don't happen again".
He was responding to a BBC News report into how 22 private student housing projects under construction have not been completed for the new term.
This represents almost a third of the current private student-housing developments, according to the Unipol student housing charity.
Mr Mr Skidmore tweeted: "We cannot allow this inadequacy to continue."
Student housing has been seen as a lucrative option for investors - but this autumn has seen a rash of accommodation projects not delivered on time.
It has meant housing problems for students in places including Portsmouth, Bristol, Lincoln, Swansea and Liverpool.
There have been concerns from student leaders about wellbeing and mental health when those leaving home for the first time might find themselves in temporary housing away from other students.
At the University of Portsmouth, about 250 students have had to be placed in alternative accommodation.
Much of the growth in student housing has been fuelled by billions of pounds of public money - in the form of maintenance loans for their living costs.
But Prof Galbraith said there was "no real control" or strategic planning for private student housing.
He welcomed Mr Skidmore's intervention and is calling for greater scrutiny and regulation of the sector.
He also wants better consumer protection for students signing housing contracts, as some "arrangements are incredibly one-sided".
