Home at Halls
Home at Halls
What does Home at Halls do?
Room Inventory
Don’t forget to complete your accommodation inventory. All you need to do is log into Home at Halls and click the inventory icon where you confirm the condition of your accommodation when you arrived. Simple!
You only need to do this once, but it’s super important and you only have 3 days to complete it from the time you register with Home at Halls. If you find any defects, note them and then report them in the app. When you leave us, your room should be in the same condition as when you arrived.
Logging in and getting started
Home at Halls is secure – just like any other online Kent service, you’ll need to use your Kent email address to log in.
It's a good idea to download Home at Halls before you arrive on campus, but just remember that you won't be able to log in or use the app until you have arrived and checked in to your room.
Once you're moved in you should complete your room inventory which will be available in the app for 3 days from your arrival. It's quick and easy to do but it's important as this is the official form where you confirm the condition of the room when you arrived.
Online defect reporting
One of Home at Halls most useful features is allowing you to report any faults or defects in your accommodation online or via the app. If you find a fault, defect or maintenance issue in your accommodation your should report it as soon as possible.
- To report a fault online via the website go to the Home at Halls website and login using your kent.ac.uk email address. From here you will see an option on the screen to 'report fault'. From here you just need to complete the form and submit.
- To report a fault via the app, login using your kent.ac.uk email address and navigate to the report fault option. Complete the form and submit, you will also be able to monitor the status of your report here to see if it is in progress, completed or any other updates.
Once a defect/fault has been logged it will be sent to our Estates maintenance teams. How quickly the repair will take place depends on the severity of the fault (take a look at our response times below) or you can also check on the status of your report within the Home at Halls app.
Emergency faults: If you are reporting a time-sensitive fault (i.e. a flood) please contact Estates Customer Services directly on 44 (0)1227 816666 between the hours of 08:00-16.00 on weekdays. If your emergency fault happens outside these hours or on weekends then contact Campus Security on +44 (0)1227 823300 instead. Please also then report the fault within the Home at Halls app so that you have a record of when you logged the fault.
Heating problem? Lots of the radiators at the University are part of a remote computer network, but sometimes switches still need to be switched and handles still need to be turned for everything to work correctly. The best way to check if you have a problem is to take a look at this simple flowchart (PDF 25.86KB) which will tell you if you need to report a fault with your radiator.
Response times for defect reports
We have different response times based on the nature of your reported defect. Maintenance work takes place between 08.00-16.00, Monday to Friday. Therefore, if you have an emergency outside of this time please contact Campus Security.
Emergencies – within one hour
- Floods (either from pipework or leaking roofs)
- Glazing (where security or safety is compromised)
- Electrical shutdown of a building
- People trapped in a lift
- Gas leaks
- Fire alarms
- Serious trip hazards
- Bare electrical cables
Urgent – within 24 hours
- No heating
- No water or no hot water
- Lighting (where it provides the only illumination in an area/is on a staircase or corridor/is security lighting)
- Shower not working (where it is the only one in a house)
- Localised electrical failure
- Blocked toilets and drains
- Lifts out of action
- Removal of graffiti
Routine – within five working days
- Lighting (where it is one of a number in an area)
- External lighting
- Door closers
- Unable to open windows
- Tiling to showers
Scheduled or Planned works
All other maintenance items required will be marked as scheduled. These will be completed within 20 working days
Any requests marked as planned will be attended to by the agreed date.
FAQs
Yes, Home at Halls is also available online. With the exception of live updates and notifications, you'll have all the same functionality.
You'll be able to download the app shortly before arrivals week. Just wait until you receive an email from the Accommodation Office which will contain login information specifically for you as otherwise you may not be able to register.
If you cannot report a defect using the app, please try using the Home at Halls online pages or visit your college reception. If you have an emergency defect you should report this to reception (or Security if out of hours) at the earliest opportunity. More information about defect reporting is available online.
If you are having difficulties with the app, take a screenshot of the problem (if possible) along with any details and email support@homeathalls.com who will be able to help.
This will depend on the fault and technician, but typically it is your choice to stay or leave your accommodation during a maintenance repair. However, due to the current Covid-19 situation you may be asked to leave your accommodation while the fault is being assessed or repair work is carried out by the appropriate university department e.g. Housekeeping Handyperson or Estates personnel to ensure distancing and safety.
You will only be charged for any maintenance/repair work where this is necessary due to damages caused by residents or their guests, residents will be notified of the total costs and charges for any repair as soon as practicably possible and these charges will be added to your student account with the University. This is also why we encourage you to complete your room inventory at the beginning of the year so that you are not mistakenly charged for a previous resident's damage.
In Woolf College and Turing and Keynes flats and houses, more complex repairs are carried out by University of Kent partners, UPP (University Partnership Programme) staff. There may be delays with more complex repairs as these buildings are not owned by the University.
In other University buildings routine repairs are initially investigated and minor repairs carried out where appropriate by a Handyperson from the Housekeeping service. The Handyperson will then ask for more specialist repairs to be undertaken by University Estates and Maintenance staff.
In addition, external approved contractors may also need to access buildings on occasion to carry out specific specialist repairs.
If you are temporarily living in Rutherford College you will need to report any accommodation defects by visiting or emailing Tyler Court Reception (tyler_court_reception@kent.ac.uk). You'll need to include your room address, a description of the fault and your student ID number.
If it is an emergency defect then you should follow the same procedure of contacting Campus Security as outlined above.