Britain’s poshest student digs are on the market – complete with golden chandeliers, complimentary dressing gowns, slippers and a rainfall shower.
At a loan-busting £1,000 a-month the air-conditioned bedrooms in a converted Georgian house are far removed from the usual halls of residence.
Each one has en-suite bathrooms with mood lighting and is furnished with leather sofas, smart TVs and a Dyson.
There are luxury kitchen/lounges on each floor and the secure entry is via a mobile phone.
The luxury flats have been built in a former office block in Canterbury, Kent.
Landlord Werner Toogood bought the building at auction in 2012 for £300,000 and spent the same amount transforming it.
He has created 11 bedrooms in four styles of accommodation called Elite Chic, Neon Elements, Urban Basement and Hollywood.
Mr Toogood, who runs Student Lettings Agency, says the concept was to create a five-star, funky boutique hotel experience for students.
He said: “The fact is there will always be a number of students whose parents want them to have the best and are prepared to pay extra for it.
“We were getting people reserving accommodation even before the project was finished and have let most of the rooms already. Some will be overseas students, but we expect it to be about 50/50.
“The accommodation is unique in Canterbury, and may well be in any other town or city, because it’s aimed upmarket for those who want a better experience of student living.”
Mr Toogood’s company manages almost 200 student properties and about 500 students.
The average rent for a student room in Canterbury is about £350 a month – but a bed at 29 St George’s Place will set tenants back upwards of #900.
Mr Toogood added: “We appreciate it will cost twice as much as the average student house share, but providing it is an expensive process.
“The cost doesn’t seem relevant. We have had no problem renting them because some people are prepared to pay extra for the best.
“In reality, it’s invariably parents who are funding it, sometimes in one hit for the whole year with the average price being between #10,000 and #10,500 per bedroom.
“It’s a niche market and we may do another similar property, but there will be a limit.”
Canterbury has two universities – Canterbury Christ Church and the University of Kent plus further education colleges.
The cathedral city has higher housing costs than many places in east Kent, especially in the historic centre.
It also has a sizable commuter population, so homes near the stations can command a premium.
But £1,000 a month is plenty to rent a modest, but central apartment, and a bit further out, for a small house.
