A grand way to study the finer things in life...

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Canterbury’s poshest student digs have gone on the market – with loan-busting rents of almost £1,000 a month.

The plush bedrooms offer well-heeled young tenants the finer things in life, including designer fittings, golden chandeliers, cosy dressing gowns and slippers, a bidet spray and even a Dyson to clean up the inevitable spills.

The accommodation has been developed by the Student Lettings Agency following the £300,000 conversion of a Georgian terraced property in St George’s Place, which was previously used as offices.

It now has 11 bedrooms in four styles of accommodation, called Elite Chic, Neon Elements, Urban Basement and Hollywood.

SLA boss Werner Toogood – who bought the property at auction in 2012 for £300,000 – says the concept was to create a five-star, funky boutique hotel experience for students.

Each tenant has an en-suite bathroom with rainfall shower with mood lighting, leather sofas, smart TVs and luxury kitchen/lounges on each floor.

Even the secure entry connects through a mobile phone.

Mr Toogood 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 said: “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.”

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SLA boss Werner Toogood