Home at Halls
The Home at Halls app is here to make your life easier while living on campus, and has a whole host of features just for residential students which you can access from your device wherever you may be.
Home at Halls
Online defect reporting
One of Home at Halls most useful features is allowing you to report any faults, defects or issues in your accommodation via the app. If you find a fault, defect or maintenance issue in your accommodation you should report it as soon as possible by navigating to the issue-reporting menu tile, and completing the form.
Once an issue 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).
Emergency faults: If you are reporting a time-sensitive fault (i.e. a flood) in addition to reporting in Home at Halls you will need to contact one of the below:
- Weekdays, 08:00-17:00: Estates Customer Services via +44 (0)1227 816666
- Outside the hours: Campus Security on +44 (0)1227 823300.
Procedure for accessing Student Accommodation (PDF 199KB)
Heating problem? Lots of the radiators at the University are part of a remote computer network, which means they will adjust automatically depending on the time of day or other factors. If you suspect your radiator isn't working first check that it is turned on (by lifting the head and tuning anti-clockwise) and check if it's all the radiators in the accommodation or just yours before making a report.
Heating information poster (PDF 2.3MB)
Wi-Fi issues: To help improve the Wi-Fi signal in accommodation we've installed new wireless access points throughout campus. Sometimes if there are issue with the Wi-Fi, this point will need to be manually fixed by a member of the Information Services (IS) Team. Any visits by the IS Team will follow the same procedures as any other maintenance repair visit.
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
- Door closers
- 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
- 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.
Home at Halls FAQs
No, Home at Halls is only available as an app. However, if you have any problems downloading or using the app please speak to reception who can help.
If you cannot report a defect using the app 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.
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
Wi-Fi issues may need to be attended to by a member of the Information Services (IS) Team.
In addition, external approved contractors may also need to access buildings on occasion to carry out specific specialist repairs.
Don't worry, if you can't use the app you will receive an email notification when you have a parcel to collect.
If you experience any issues or have any concerns please speak to your local reception team.