Housing

All of the properties on the list are registered with the local accreditation scheme Canterbury Student Housing which means that the landlords have voluntarily agreed to follow a code of conduct to ensure that their properties are managed properly and meet health and safety standards.

We would encourage all students to rent accredited properties.

However there is no need to rush!

The large number of students in Canterbury leads many to believe that there are not enough properties to go round, when in fact there is a surplus of rented accommodation. Although we would advise you against leaving your search for accommodation until the last minute, neither would we advise you to rush out and sign up for the first place you see. Take your time and make sure that you have found a place that is, among other things, affordable, in good condition and in the right location. You also need to be confident that, come September, you will still be on speaking terms with the people you are planning to share with!

Before you start looking for accommodation, take some time to read the information available through the links below.

Paying a deposit

If you signed a tenancy agreement for an assured shorthold tenancy and paid a deposit on or after 6 April 2007 your deposit will be covered by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

You can read more about these schemes here: england.shelter.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/23385/Advice_booklet_deposit.pdf

If your tenancy is covered by the scheme and the landlord has not complied with the rules, you can enforce your rights under the Housing Act 2004 by applying to the County Court. For more details on this, please download a Tenancy Deposit Protection Enforcement Pack.

Council Tax

If a property is occupied entirely by full time students it is exempt from council tax. In order for the property to be exempt you must each get a certificate from Student Records and send it to the local council tax department. If you do not do this you will get a council tax bill.

Housing Benefit

This is paid by local councils to help pay the rent. Most full time students are not entitled to Housing Benefit, but there are some exceptions, these include: