Key Terms Explained<\/strong><\/h2>\nAccommodation agreement<\/strong><\/h3>\nAt Kent, the accommodation agreement is a document you must follow while living in university housing. It outlines key terms alongside our Terms and Conditions<\/a>. It includes:<\/p>\n\n- Move-in and move-out dates<\/li>\n
- Payment details<\/li>\n
- Behaviour expectations<\/li>\n
- Room condition requirements when leaving<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Off-campus, this may be called a contract<\/strong> or come with separate terms and conditions<\/strong>.<\/p>\nAccommodation with a meal plan<\/strong><\/h3>\nAlso known as part-catered accommodation<\/strong>, this means some meals are included in your accommodation fees.<\/p>\n\n- Typically, these rooms only have a kitchenette<\/strong> rather than a full kitchen<\/li>\n
- The Flex Meal Plan<\/strong><\/a> provides \u00a314 daily to spend at our campus food outlets<\/li>\n
- Available in Becket Court and Keynes College<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you live off-campus or in self-catered accommodation<\/strong>, you have the option to buy a Flex Catering Plan<\/strong><\/a> separately.<\/p>\nCatering package\/plan<\/strong><\/h3>\nA meal plan is included in your accommodation or bought separately. See \u201cAccommodation with a Meal Plan\u201d for details.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/files\/2024\/12\/Rutherford-Dining-Hall-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Contract lengths at Kent<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe duration you are paying for accommodation. At Kent, our contract lengths align with academic term dates. The right contract for you will depend on whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student and your chosen accommodation.<\/p>\n
Contract lengths:<\/p>\n
\n- 31 weeks<\/strong> \u2013 Keynes College and Becket Court (meal plan included, must vacate during winter and spring breaks).<\/li>\n
- 38 weeks<\/strong> \u2013 Most undergraduate students (self-catered, includes vacation periods)<\/li>\n
- 44 weeks<\/strong> \u2013 KMMS students and Giles Lane (includes vacation periods)<\/li>\n
- 52 weeks<\/strong> \u2013 Mainly postgraduate students (September\u2013September, includes all vacation periods)<\/li>\n
- Under 38 weeks<\/strong> \u2013 Available for students on short courses or study abroad programs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Fees or rent<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis is the amount you pay for your accommodation, but it’s important to check what\u2019s included<\/strong><\/a> to help you budget effectively.
\n\u2705 On-campus: Rent includes all utility bills, WiFi, personal possessions insurance, and a free sports membership<\/strong>
\n\u274c Off-campus: You may need to pay for heating, electricity, Wi-Fi, and water separately<\/strong>.<\/p>\nFirst-come, first-served<\/strong><\/h3>\nRooms are allocated based on the date of your application<\/strong>, so applying early increases your chances of getting your preferred accommodation. Don\u2019t worry\u2014you can still update your preferences as many times as you like before the deadline<\/a> without affecting your application submission date.<\/p>\nFully-fitted kitchen vs. kitchenette<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n- Fully-fitted kitchen<\/b> \u2013 Includes some appliances (oven, fridge-freezer, microwave and kettle)<\/li>\n
- Kitchenette<\/strong> \u2013 Smaller space with limited facilities (e.g., kettle, microwave). Found in meal plan accommodation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/files\/2024\/07\/Fully-fitted-kitchen-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Guaranteed offer<\/strong><\/h3>\nKent offers a guaranteed room offer<\/strong><\/a> to eligible students.<\/p>\n30 June 2026:\u00a0<\/strong> All students who apply to Canterbury or Medway by 30 June 2026 are guaranteed\u00a0on-campus accommodation<\/a>\u00a0(off-site at\u00a0Pier Quays<\/a> for Medway students). This does not<\/strong> guarantee your first-choice room as allocation depends on the date you applied.<\/p>\nCleaning Services<\/b><\/h3>\n\n- You and your flatmates are responsible for keeping your accommodation clean, this includes your bedroom, en-suite or bathroom and kitchen<\/li>\n
- Each college has a Cleaning Service team <\/a>who will keep communal areas (such as stairways and colleges) clean and also visit your accommodation once a term to provide a deep clean. They are also always on hand to offer support or advice<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Inventory<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis is a document listing your room\u2019s condition when you move in. This document allows you to officially record the condition and contents of your room at move-in, as you’ll be expected to return it in the same state when you move out. It’s crucial to complete your inventory, as it helps prevent any misunderstandings or charges for damages you didn’t cause, whether you’re living on or off campus.<\/p>\n
LGBTQ+ and Lifestyle moderate living<\/strong><\/h3>\nWe offer accommodation in Canterbury for students who prefer to live with other LGBTQ+ identifying students or in a quieter, Lifestyle Moderate environment. Students in moderated living areas are expected to maintain a quieter lifestyle, including respecting alcohol use, noise levels, and socialising. While not monitored more closely, these areas bring together like-minded students who self-manage their environment. We can’t guarantee a completely quiet or alcohol-free space, but there are measures in place for addressing students who don’t follow the guidelines.<\/p>\n
MyAccommodation Portal<\/strong><\/h3>\nYour online hub for:<\/p>\n
\n- Applying for accommodation<\/a><\/li>\n
- Accepting offers<\/li>\n
- Downloading important documents<\/li>\n
- Checking move-in dates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
National Code of Assured Accommodation and The Student Accommodation Code (SAC)<\/strong><\/h3>\nTwo independent regulatory bodies ensuring quality and safety standards<\/strong> in student housing.<\/p>\nOccupancy<\/strong><\/h3>\nDefines how many people can live in a room:<\/p>\n
\n- Single occupancy<\/strong> \u2013 One person per room (most student accommodation)<\/li>\n
- Double occupancy<\/strong> \u2013 Some twin or studio rooms allow two people<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Occupancy period<\/strong> \u2013 The length of your contract.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/files\/2024\/07\/ACCOMUKC0080.jpg\")
Park Wood Flats twin en-suite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOther accommodation requests<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n- When applying, use the \u201cOther accommodation requests\u201d<\/strong> box to request specific needs, for example, if you wish to live with a friend then you both need to include your full name and UCAS\/student number here or additional preferences\/needs such as single-sex accommodation can also be added here<\/li>\n
- Requests are not guaranteed<\/strong> but will be considered based on availability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Part-catered accommodation<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow called Accommodation with a Meal Plan<\/strong> (see above).<\/p>\nPreferences (room choices)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n- You can choose up to four accommodation preferences (en-suite, part-catered etc)\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Only two<\/strong> can be en-suite<\/li>\n
- It\u2019s best to spread your choices<\/strong> across different room types to improve your chances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Consider all four options on your preference list, as your top choices may be full, and you could be allocated to any available option. It’s also important to balance en-suite and shared-facilities preferences. To increase your chances, avoid selecting multiple room types within the same college\u2014e.g., an extra-large and a standard room in Turing Flats\u2014since if Turing Flats are full, we’ll need to move to your next available preference.<\/p>\n
Returner accommodation<\/strong><\/h3>\nRooms are available for returning students<\/strong><\/a> (second year and above) on and off campus. It’s uncommon for returning students to be housed with new students, and this is avoided unless specifically requested by both\/all parties. Returning students can also apply to live with friends.<\/p>\nRoom allocation<\/strong><\/h3>\nRoom allocation refers to the process our team go through when placing students into their rooms on campus.<\/p>\n
\n- Rooms are allocated based on your application date<\/strong> (first-come, first-served)<\/li>\n
- Receiving your offer later does not<\/strong> affect your allocation\u2014rooms are assigned in advance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You can read more about our room allocation procedure on our dedicated blog<\/a>.<\/p>\nRoom offer<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe accommodation offer<\/strong> you receive once your place at Kent becomes unconditional.<\/p>\n\n- Check your email regularly<\/strong> (offers are sent after exam results)<\/li>\n
- You have 7 days<\/strong> to accept your offer<\/li>\n
- If you\u2019re unhappy with your offer, don\u2019t reject it or let it expire as this will deactivate your application<\/strong>\u2014contact the Accommodation Team<\/a> to discuss options.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Self-catered accommodation<\/strong><\/h3>\nNo meals included, but access to a fully-fitted shared kitchen<\/strong> to prepare your own food. Most Kent accommodation is self-catered. If you choose, you can also purchase a Flex Meal Plan<\/strong><\/a> separately.<\/p>\nShared facilities vs. en-suite<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n- En-suite<\/strong> \u2013 Private toilet\/washroom<\/li>\n
- Shared facilities<\/strong> \u2013 Communal toilet\/washroom (varies by location).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Note: En-suite rooms cost more, while shared facilities offer a more budget-friendly option<\/strong>. Most privately rented accommodation offers shared facilities, while independent student housing providers tend to have more en-suite options. At Kent, we offer both, with 60% of our on-campus rooms featuring en-suite bathrooms.<\/p>\nVacation accommodation<\/strong><\/h3>\nNeed to stay on campus during periods not covered by your contract? Apply for vacation accommodation<\/strong><\/a> during the winter, spring, or summer vacation times.\u00a0Depending on where you live you may not be able to stay in your room during this period but you will be provided with an alternative option<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Think we missed a term?<\/strong> Let us know via Facebook<\/a> or Instagram<\/a>! Need help? Check our website<\/a> or contact our team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Applying for accommodation can be confusing, especially with all the terminology involved. To help, we\u2019ve put together this Accommodation Jargon Buster, explaining key terms and … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74974,"featured_media":1147,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[247846,246077,247847,247356,246446,247082,19109],"tags":[247853,246077,247845,247847,247356,247680],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/74974"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=350"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1673,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350\/revisions\/1673"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
At Kent, the accommodation agreement is a document you must follow while living in university housing. It outlines key terms alongside our Terms and Conditions<\/a>. It includes:<\/p>\n Off-campus, this may be called a contract<\/strong> or come with separate terms and conditions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Also known as part-catered accommodation<\/strong>, this means some meals are included in your accommodation fees.<\/p>\n If you live off-campus or in self-catered accommodation<\/strong>, you have the option to buy a Flex Catering Plan<\/strong><\/a> separately.<\/p>\n A meal plan is included in your accommodation or bought separately. See \u201cAccommodation with a Meal Plan\u201d for details.<\/p>\n The duration you are paying for accommodation. At Kent, our contract lengths align with academic term dates. The right contract for you will depend on whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student and your chosen accommodation.<\/p>\n Contract lengths:<\/p>\n This is the amount you pay for your accommodation, but it’s important to check what\u2019s included<\/strong><\/a> to help you budget effectively. Rooms are allocated based on the date of your application<\/strong>, so applying early increases your chances of getting your preferred accommodation. Don\u2019t worry\u2014you can still update your preferences as many times as you like before the deadline<\/a> without affecting your application submission date.<\/p>\n Kent offers a guaranteed room offer<\/strong><\/a> to eligible students.<\/p>\n 30 June 2026:\u00a0<\/strong> All students who apply to Canterbury or Medway by 30 June 2026 are guaranteed\u00a0on-campus accommodation<\/a>\u00a0(off-site at\u00a0Pier Quays<\/a> for Medway students). This does not<\/strong> guarantee your first-choice room as allocation depends on the date you applied.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is a document listing your room\u2019s condition when you move in. This document allows you to officially record the condition and contents of your room at move-in, as you’ll be expected to return it in the same state when you move out. It’s crucial to complete your inventory, as it helps prevent any misunderstandings or charges for damages you didn’t cause, whether you’re living on or off campus.<\/p>\n We offer accommodation in Canterbury for students who prefer to live with other LGBTQ+ identifying students or in a quieter, Lifestyle Moderate environment. Students in moderated living areas are expected to maintain a quieter lifestyle, including respecting alcohol use, noise levels, and socialising. While not monitored more closely, these areas bring together like-minded students who self-manage their environment. We can’t guarantee a completely quiet or alcohol-free space, but there are measures in place for addressing students who don’t follow the guidelines.<\/p>\n Your online hub for:<\/p>\n Two independent regulatory bodies ensuring quality and safety standards<\/strong> in student housing.<\/p>\n Defines how many people can live in a room:<\/p>\n Occupancy period<\/strong> \u2013 The length of your contract.<\/p>\n Now called Accommodation with a Meal Plan<\/strong> (see above).<\/p>\n Consider all four options on your preference list, as your top choices may be full, and you could be allocated to any available option. It’s also important to balance en-suite and shared-facilities preferences. To increase your chances, avoid selecting multiple room types within the same college\u2014e.g., an extra-large and a standard room in Turing Flats\u2014since if Turing Flats are full, we’ll need to move to your next available preference.<\/p>\n Rooms are available for returning students<\/strong><\/a> (second year and above) on and off campus. It’s uncommon for returning students to be housed with new students, and this is avoided unless specifically requested by both\/all parties. Returning students can also apply to live with friends.<\/p>\n Room allocation refers to the process our team go through when placing students into their rooms on campus.<\/p>\n You can read more about our room allocation procedure on our dedicated blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n The accommodation offer<\/strong> you receive once your place at Kent becomes unconditional.<\/p>\n No meals included, but access to a fully-fitted shared kitchen<\/strong> to prepare your own food. Most Kent accommodation is self-catered. If you choose, you can also purchase a Flex Meal Plan<\/strong><\/a> separately.<\/p>\n Note: En-suite rooms cost more, while shared facilities offer a more budget-friendly option<\/strong>. Most privately rented accommodation offers shared facilities, while independent student housing providers tend to have more en-suite options. At Kent, we offer both, with 60% of our on-campus rooms featuring en-suite bathrooms.<\/p>\n Need to stay on campus during periods not covered by your contract? Apply for vacation accommodation<\/strong><\/a> during the winter, spring, or summer vacation times.\u00a0Depending on where you live you may not be able to stay in your room during this period but you will be provided with an alternative option<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Think we missed a term?<\/strong> Let us know via Facebook<\/a> or Instagram<\/a>! Need help? Check our website<\/a> or contact our team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Applying for accommodation can be confusing, especially with all the terminology involved. To help, we\u2019ve put together this Accommodation Jargon Buster, explaining key terms and … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74974,"featured_media":1147,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[247846,246077,247847,247356,246446,247082,19109],"tags":[247853,246077,247845,247847,247356,247680],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/74974"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=350"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1673,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350\/revisions\/1673"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/accommodation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
Accommodation with a meal plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Catering package\/plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nContract lengths at Kent<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Fees or rent<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\u2705 On-campus: Rent includes all utility bills, WiFi, personal possessions insurance, and a free sports membership<\/strong>
\n\u274c Off-campus: You may need to pay for heating, electricity, Wi-Fi, and water separately<\/strong>.<\/p>\nFirst-come, first-served<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Fully-fitted kitchen vs. kitchenette<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
<\/p>\nGuaranteed offer<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Cleaning Services<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n
Inventory<\/strong><\/h3>\n
LGBTQ+ and Lifestyle moderate living<\/strong><\/h3>\n
MyAccommodation Portal<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
National Code of Assured Accommodation and The Student Accommodation Code (SAC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Occupancy<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Other accommodation requests<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Part-catered accommodation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Preferences (room choices)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Returner accommodation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Room allocation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Room offer<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Self-catered accommodation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Shared facilities vs. en-suite<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Vacation accommodation<\/strong><\/h3>\n