Host Guidelines & FAQs

Hosting can be demanding, but it can also be rewarding. These guidelines explain what we ask from hosts and what you can expect from us. A homestay is as much about the welcome and day-to-day experience as it is the accommodation — guests should feel safe, respected and at home.

Most placements are for adults (18+). We also place students aged 16–17 with suitable hosts, with additional checks and guidance.

At a glance: hosting essentials

• You are in London Zones 1–6 (strongest demand is usually Zones 1–4).
• You can offer a warm, welcoming home environment, treating guests like a visiting family member.
• Wi‑Fi is available for guests.
• English is the main language spoken in the home while guests are staying.
• You can offer a clean, comfortable bedroom with storage and a suitable study space (in the bedroom or elsewhere in the home).
• You can offer one or more meal options: self-catering, bed & breakfast, or half board (as agreed per booking).
• You keep your host profile up to date (including pets, smoking and household changes).
• You respond promptly to booking requests and tell us quickly if your availability changes.

Getting started

If you’re new to hosting, you can apply online. If it looks like a good fit, we’ll contact you to talk through next steps. Before your first placement, our approval process normally includes a call (or video call) and an in-person home visit.

Approval and onboarding: what we’ll ask you for

What we ask for depends on the type of hosting you’d like to do and the placement requirements. As part of approval and ongoing hosting, we may ask for:

• Basic household details (who lives in the home, and anything we should know for matching).
• Photos of the accommodation areas guests will use (bedroom, bathroom access and shared areas).
• A home assessment (normally includes an in-person visit before your first placement).
• Proof of ID and basic reference checks for new hosts.
• Safety documentation where applicable (for example Gas Safe certification where gas appliances exist).
• For hosts who choose to accommodate 16–17-year-olds: DBS checks and basic safeguarding training (provided by us).

Bookings and communication

When we receive a booking request, we contact suitable hosts with the key details (for example: dates, age group, meal plan and any important preferences). You can decide whether you’d like to accept the booking.

Arrival times: we aim to share arrival information in advance. If plans change, we may provide the guest with your contact details so they can confirm arrival time with you directly.

What you provide

Bedroom and home basics:

• A private bedroom suitable for the booking type (single, twin, or double as confirmed).
• Adequate lighting, heating and ventilation.
• Storage space for clothes and personal items.
• A suitable study space (for example, a desk/table in the bedroom or agreed access to a quiet space elsewhere).
• Reasonable access to a bathroom.
• Laundry: typically 1–2 loads per week, free of charge. If guests need additional washes beyond this, arrangements can be agreed directly.
• Clean shared areas (kitchen, bathroom, living spaces) while guests are staying.
• A house key so guests can come and go responsibly (returned at check-out).
• Basic fire safety: show guests the fire escape route(s) and what to do in case of fire.

Room cleaning

Guests are expected to keep their room tidy, but they are not expected to clean it. Hosts typically clean guest rooms weekly (for example vacuuming, changing bed linen, and general cleaning) to keep the room welcoming.

Meals and meal plans

You can choose which meal plans you offer. We match bookings to what you provide, and the agreed meal plan is confirmed at booking.

Summary (host view):

• Self-catering: guests are responsible for their own meals. Kitchen access is agreed at booking.
• Bed & breakfast: you provide breakfast items (for example cereal, bread/toast, spreads, fruit, juice, and tea/coffee with milk). Light kitchen use (for example kettle/toaster/microwave) may be agreed.
• Half board: breakfast and evening meal are included. Kitchen use is not included as standard, unless agreed in advance.

More detail: Meal plans explained (for hosts)

Check-in and check-out

A short check-in when a guest arrives helps them feel welcome and prevents misunderstandings later. A short check-out at the end helps avoid practical issues (for example keys not being returned or items being left behind).

Keeping your host profile accurate

We share your host profile with guests and (where relevant) schools/agents. It’s important that it stays accurate. Please update changes promptly via the host portal, or contact our team if you need support.

• Pets: tell us what pets you have, and let us know if a pet is added or leaves the home.
• Smoking: tell us whether anyone smokes, and whether smoking occurs inside the home or outside only. Let us know immediately if this changes.
• Household changes: tell us if a new adult becomes normally resident in the home, or if someone moves out.
• Major changes to the home: for example building works or anything that affects the guest’s stay (noise, access, room changes).
• Documents: approved hosts can upload key documents (for example gas safety certificates, DBS checks and safeguarding training certificates) in the host portal where applicable.

Private home accommodation (definition)

“Private home accommodation” is British Council terminology used when a household accommodates more than four paying guests/students at the same time. If this applies to your home, please tell us during your application so we can register the arrangement correctly where needed.

Hosting students aged 16–17

We place students aged 16–17 with suitable hosts. We do not place under-16s individually. If you choose to host 16–17-year-olds, additional safeguarding steps apply.

• The main host must have an individual DBS check (our policy).
• Other adults normally resident in the home are also subject to criminal record checks.
• Hosts complete basic safeguarding training (provided by us).
• If a 16–17-year-old asks to stay out late or stay away overnight, do not give permission. Contact London Homestays so we can confirm the appropriate permissions with the school/agent/parent as relevant.
• For students aged 16–17, curfew arrangements apply and are confirmed in line with our Child Protection Policy.

Payments and tax

Payments are made by bank transfer. Hosts are paid 10 days after the guest’s arrival and then every two weeks, depending on the length of stay.

Tax: you may be able to use the GOV.UK Rent a Room Scheme (overview page). We recommend checking GOV.UK for the most up-to-date thresholds and eligibility.

Insurance (recommended)

We recommend checking with your home contents insurer whether your cover includes paying guests. You may also wish to consider public liability cover. Damages are extremely rare, but it’s sensible to be appropriately covered.

Cancellations, extensions and changes

Host cancellations: when you accept a booking, students (and where relevant, schools and agents) rely on that commitment. Cancellations can be disruptive and upsetting for students who have prepared for their stay, and can affect our ability to meet partner requirements. We ask hosts to cancel only if it is absolutely unavoidable, and to notify us as soon as possible so we can put alternatives in place.

Guest cancellations/changes: we will inform you as soon as possible. If a guest cancels at very short notice and we cannot find a suitable replacement booking, compensation may apply under your host agreement.

Extensions: if a guest asks to extend, ask them to contact our office so we can confirm the extension and arrange payment.

Problems, welfare concerns and emergencies

If you have concerns about a guest’s welfare or behaviour, contact us for advice as soon as possible.

Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. Phone lines are open 11am–3pm.

Contact us:

• Phone: 020 8395 0333
• Email: info@londonhomestays.com
• WhatsApp: 020 8395 0333 (message-only service, monitored during office hours). Please do not use WhatsApp for emergencies.

“I’ve hosted students through London Homestays for many years. This has fitted in well with family life. My adult children and I have enjoyed the company. We’ve met people from all over the world who have appreciated coming to a home where they are warmly welcomed. A spin off benefit is that we’ve had invitations to visit those we have hosted – currently, we have a trip to a wedding in Brazil on the horizon. There are so many positives. Students find their feet quickly and enjoy making friends and exploring the UK. Their energy and enthusiasm is a tonic. I recommend hosting through London Homestays.”

— Carol, Dollis Hill — host since 2010

“London Homestays is a good company to work with. They’re very good, they’re with you every step of the way, if you have any problem, they are there.”

— Christine, Streatham — host since 2010