How do I find the accommodation?
Walking: from the Medirest Offices head back out into the main corridor and turn left. There will be a sign for the stairs on the right, head up to level 3 and turn right, go straight over through the two sets of doors and over the bridge out of the hospital. Once you exit the accommodation blocks will be on your right. All blocks are clearly labelled as Homes 1–4 dependant on your allocation.
Driving: From the hospital Main Entrance, head back out to the roundabout, take the right onto Darenth Wood Road, take the third left (one exit past Jasmine Centre) and the accommodation car park will be in front of you.
Check in Instructions
Welcome to your new home! To ensure a smooth check-in process, please take note of the following instructions:
1. Check-In Time:
- Standard check-in time is at 4:00 PM.
- Early check-ins may be accommodated based on availability, but please confirm in advance.
2. Documentation:
- Please have a valid government-issued ID
- Copy of your signed contract/licence. If a prior licence/contract has not been signed, you will be expected to sign on arrival otherwise we cannot release the house keys over to you
- Confirmation of deposit paid.
3. Key Pickup:
- Keys will be available to pick up from the Medirest office which can be found to the left entrance of the main hospital doors. Medirest office is open from 9am – 5pm. Any collections after 5pm needs to be collected from the Switchboard department which can be found via the Medirest office (open 24/7). Please show your ID for key collection.
4. Orientation:
- Your key collection will have the necessary information attached to it including access codes to your building. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the building layout and amenities.
- Don't hesitate to ask our staff for assistance or clarification.
5. Utilities and Services:
- Confirm the status of utility services (water, electricity, internet) and inquire about any specific instructions for their activation if needed.
6. Inventory Check:
- Before settling in, we encourage you to inspect the property and report any existing damages or issues within the first 24 hours. Report damages to 01322428100 EXT: 8103 & 5375
7. Emergency Contacts:
- This can be found on your QR or on your noticeboards
8. House Rules:
- Familiarize yourself with the building's rules and regulations. These may include noise policies, garbage disposal instructions, and any communal space guidelines.
Parking is available for tenants outside the accommodation. Application forms can be found on ADAGIO (the staff intranet) with instructions on whom it needs to be sent to, there are two version ones for DGT staff and non DGT staff.
Each tenant will have their own single room and share a bathroom with one other person, you will share the communal kitchen/lounge area with a maximum of 7 other people. Each bedroom is approx 8 feet wide by 10.4 feet long and has a bed, desk and chair, wash hand basin, 2 hand towels, wardrobe, drawer unit, bedside lamp, study lamp, carpet, and curtains. Bed linen & blankets are provided.
You will be responsible for cleaning your own room and bathroom and for changing your own bed. All communal areas are serviced by a Housekeeper in terms of hoovering etc however it is the tenants responsibility to ensure they wash their plates/pots, tidy the kitchen and ensure the place is left clean at all times. All clean bed linen and towels are available in the utility room.
The kitchen has a washer/dryer, microwave, toaster, kettle, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, cooker, and a lockable kitchen cupboard for each Tenant. Basic crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils are also provided. Each flat has an iron and an ironing board. The dining/living area has a dining table and chairs, sofas.
If you are in Home 1/2/3 rent is inclusive of bills
If you are in Home 4 please note that council tax and electricity bills are additional
Any additional home insurance/tv licence etc are at the expense of the tenant
Security
Ring 01322 428100 EXT:8746 if you need Security Ext: 2222 And request for security if the situation is an emergency or immediate harm is expected. You will need to give the switchboard specific location instructions and state that it is within the accommodation.
Lost Keys
During the day, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm {except bank holidays} contact the accommodation team on 01322 428100 EXT:8103/5375 or look for the housekeepers who are usually around from 9am-3pm.
Outside of business hours, contact security on 01322 428100 EXT:8746, proof of residence must be produced. You may have to wait and there may be a charge made for misuse of this service.
If your keys are not found a charge of £30 will be deducted from you to replace them
Emergency Repairs
Defects or damage found anywhere in the building should be reported to the maintenance help desk on EXT:8888 {01322 428100}
Non Urgency Defect or Repair
Reporting Defect or Repair: Defects or damage found anywhere in the building should be reported to the maintenance help desk on 01322 428100 EXT:8888 from an external telephone as soon as possible, this number is for routine and emergency repairs. Or you can use our PFI helpdesk app which you can download in 3 easy steps:
The app will notify the Service Providers and you will receive an email with all the details you submitted. The Trust are then able to monitor whether the Service Providers perform according to requirements.
Please see the notice board on the ground floor in each residence for schedules of both fire alarm testing and generator testing.
Homes 1, 2 & 3 have Electricity is included in your bill/rent
Home 4 which has 2/3 bed accommodation you will need to top the electric meter up for your daily/weekly usage as required. You will find the electric meter just in or outside your flat entrance that looks like this:
Electricity will need to be topped up as required. You will find the Electric meter just inside or outside your front door. Your meter will look like this picture. If you need emergency credit- please click the blue button. Please go on to this link to add credit for your flat: Add Credit To MeterPay Prepayment Smart Meter
For emergency electric (£5 total) please click and hold the blue button for 15 seconds.
To check out of accommodation, follow these general steps:
1. Ensure all personal belongings are packed.
2. Please ensure you are checked out by 10am.
3. Return room keys to Switchboard dept where you collected the key on level 2 East through the Medirest office.
4. Ensure that the fridge & Freezer is empty of any items that belong to you ensuring a deep clean of your fridge and cupboard space.
5. Please leave the room empty/clean and tidy.
It is your responsibility as a Tenant to take reasonable care of the Accommodation. You are expected to keep your respective flat clean and interval checks will be completed to ensure standards are being met. If there are any damages to the furniture supplied, please note the cost of replacement will be deducted from your wages. Please be aware of the following rules while staying with us. These are for your safety and comfort and respect for others within the accommodation blocks:
1. Payment of Rent: Timely payment of rent as agreed upon in the lease or rental agreement.
2. Property Care: Maintain the property in good condition and report any damages promptly.
3. Utilities: Pay for utilities unless otherwise specified in the rental agreement.
4. Compliance with Rules: Adhere to the rules and regulations set by the property management or landlord.
5. Notify of Issues: Report any maintenance or repair issues promptly to the landlord or property manager.
6. Security: Take reasonable measures to ensure the security of the property, such as locking doors and windows.
7. Respect Neighbours: Be considerate of neighbours and follow any community guidelines.
8. Proper Use: Use the property for its intended purpose and avoid activities that could cause damage.
9. A Housekeeper will attend to the communal areas only. They will not be able to do this effectively if dirty pots are left in the sink and foodstuffs are left out of cupboards, and the cleaners do not do your washing up or tidy personal items.
10. The use of blue tac, nails, tape, drawing pins or any other means of fixing pictures etc to walls is forbidden in the Residences.
11. Rubbish is to be put into the communal bins by Home 2 and Home 3. Please recycle bottles and paper etc where possible.
12. Fire doors must not be propped open. They are there to protect you (and others) escape route in the event of a fire.
13. Defects, repairs or problems are to be reported to the Serco Help Desk immediately on 01322 428100 EXT.8888.
14. Items (including bikes, clothes dryer) are NOT to be stored under the stairs, as this is a fire safety risk.
Note: Bike racks can be found at the front of the Hospital Entrance
15. Candles/incense sticks are a fire risk and must not be burnt in the accommodation. This is a Local Fire Officer requirement.
16. All Residences are NO SMOKING and we ask Tenants to respect the law on this issue.
17. Switch off the lights when leaving the house or the room for a long period of time
18. The heating must not be kept on for long periods of time.
19. Do not leave the tap running when not in use
20. Switch off the cooker when not in use
The internet provider is Glide. Connect to their wifi and follow instructions to set up an account with them.
For any queries regarding the wifi, please contact:
Medirest Compass: TEL:01322 428100 EXT:8103/5375
Staff Residences, Darent Valley Hospital, Darenth Wood Road, Dartford DA2 8DA
Mail room for packages can be found outside the Medirest offices in the service yard.
Darent Valley Hospital is located off junction 1b/2 [depending on your travel direction] of the M25. The A2/M2 are also close by. The Residences are located at the back of the Hospital, accessed by its own entrance off Darenth Wood Road.
The nearest town is Dartford, about 5 minutes away by car. London is approx 45 minutes away by train and the South Coast is just over an hour away. There are train stations at both Dartford and Greenhithe which are both accessible via the bus and Fast Track services which stop in front of the Hospital.
Bluewater, Europe’s largest shopping centre, is a five minute bus journey away and has restaurants, cinema and plenty of shops: www.bluewater.co.uk
Facilities within the Hospital include M&S Simply Food, WHSmith, Chopras Pharmacy, Costa and Ellenor.