The county’s students are becoming more selective about standards of accommodation. Run-down bedsits in shabby Victorian terraces are no longer acceptable to Canterbury’s sizeable student population, who have been weaned on purpose-built en suite rooms, often in new developments, says Duncan Reeves, associate director of Caxtons.

The knock-on effect is two-fold: students can be in for a shock when they enter the private rental market, while demand is increasing for high-quality homes.

Mr Reeves said, “Students generally spend their first year in halls of residence. Nowadays, these are purpose-built and of a high standard. Consequently, expectations are so much higher when moving into the private rental sector.”

Although term does not begin for most students until September, tenancies generally run annually from the end of July and this is one of the busiest times of year for Caxtons, which lets more student accommodation in Canterbury than any other agency.

“There are between 20,000 and 30,000 students in Canterbury and the surrounding areas, virtually doubling the population of the City, and they all need somewhere to live.

“Landlords are increasingly learning that most students are no different to any other tenant. If anything, their tenancies are more secure and are a good way of landlords maximising their income over a fixed period.”

Although property in general is plentiful, there is a distinct shortage of quality housing – especially with two or three bedrooms – for second and third year students to share, according to Mr Reeves.

“Students start out happy to share five or six to a house, but after the initial enthusiasm wears off, they tend to prefer smaller units and more privacy,” he said.

Caxtons is a member of ARLA, RICS and Canterbury Student Housing as well as the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.