Become a homestay host in London
Host international students and guests in your spare room. Most placements are for adults (18+). Some hosts also choose to accommodate 16–17-year-old students, with additional checks and guidance.
Applying doesn't commit you to hosting — it helps us check whether your home is likely to be a good fit.
How it works
Is hosting likely to be a good fit?
A quick sense-check before you apply.
- You're in London Zones 1–6 (strongest demand is usually Zones 1–4)
- 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 (single rooms are most requested)
- You can offer one or more options: self-catering, bed & breakfast, half board
- You're happy to communicate reliably with our team by email / web form
Not sure about travel times? Apply anyway — we'll confirm whether your location is suitable.
What hosting typically involves
Guests stay for short or longer periods while they study, work or train in London. We'll match requests based on what you offer and your availability.
- Room types: single, twin or double (most requests are single)
- Meal plans: self-catering, bed & breakfast, or half board (as agreed per booking)
- Home environment: a safe, respectful space where guests can practise English
Watch: Meet Our Host Families
Real stories from the families who open their homes to international students
Why host with us
Earn additional income
Payments are made by bank transfer. Rates vary depending on the booking details (location, room type and meal plan).
Flexible commitment
Tell us when you're available. You can host short stays or longer bookings, and take breaks when needed.
Cultural exchange
Meet people from different countries and help guests feel settled in London.
Practical support
We manage bookings and stay in touch to support you before arrival and during the stay.
Getting started is straightforward
Apply or register interest
Share details about your home, household, availability and what you can offer.
We review and arrange a call
If it looks like a good fit, we'll contact you to talk through next steps.
Checks and home assessment (where needed)
We'll confirm the checks required and how we'll assess your accommodation before any placement. Hosts are reassessed at least every two years (video reassessments may be used where permitted).
Start hosting
When a suitable request comes in, we'll send you the details so you can decide whether it works for you.
Hosting students aged 16–17
Most stays are adults (18+). If you choose to host 16–17-year-olds, additional safeguarding steps apply.
- Under-18 placements are 16–17 only
- 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)
Support for hosts
Hosting can raise questions. Our team can help before arrival and during the stay.
Office support
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. Phone lines are open 11am–3pm. We prefer contact by email or web form.
Out-of-hours emergency support
For genuine emergencies relating to current placements only. Emergency contact details are provided at booking confirmation and via our office voicemail.
Host resources
Guides and checklists covering common hosting situations.
In their words...
“We have been working with London Homestays since 2011. With their support, we have managed to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. We strongly recommend London Homestays to anyone who’s looking for quality, reliability and exceptional customer service.”
Alex Fernandes, Accommodation & Visa Compliance Manager, Malvern House London
“Having worked with them since 2013, I can state that London Homestays have always taken care to match our students with suitable host families. They have a very friendly yet professional approach to their work. Our students have enjoyed staying at their homestays. Overall, students say that their host families are attentive and welcoming.”
Carl Roberton, Principal, Stafford House School of English
“We at Burlington School have worked with London Homestays since 2014, and I professionally know the team since 2009 when I worked for another company in the education and accommodation industry. Having had the opportunity to work with London Homestays since the company started operations in London, all of the enquiries have been dealt with in a dedicated and timely manner, the team members are customer-oriented and always provide an exceptional accommodation experience to our students. I have no hesitation to recommend London Homestays as excellent accommodation providers and business partners.”
Eliane Tomasi, Accommodation & Welfare Officer, Burlington School
“LSC Stanton has been working with London Homestays since 2011 and we are very pleased with the quality of accommodation and service they give to us. We have a good relationship with the team and they are always on hand to deal with any last-minute requests.”
Nick Bray, Managing Director, London Study Centre.
“Cooperation with London Homestays is always great! We highly appreciate proactive approach and effort to ensure the best possible services for our groups. We always had a great clean accommodation, friendly family and smart local organisers. Students of our groups were satisfied and they enjoyed staying in London very much. We would like to recommend this agency. The whole team is very kind.”
Miroslava Foltýnová, Owner, CK Bus Tours.
“We offer internships in London to European students and looked for a reliable partner to provide accommodation to our candidates. We have been very happy with the services provided by London Homestays, as have our candidates, as they have always received quickly information on families, the possibility to book a room in a short delay and also a good quality of families. I would recommend without any doubt this agency. The team is very professional, efficient and friendly :). We hope to send new trainees soon!”
Stéphanie Frassanito, Program Manager, Work Overseas
“Our school from the Czech Republic has had great experiences with London Homestays. The host families were generally welcoming, kind, and accommodating. The service provided by the coordinator Kate O’Connor and other admin staff is second to none.”
Kate Powers, Vice Principal for English Studies, Sunny Canadian International School
It was an amazing experience, I’ve found a new home where I feel as comfortable as I do in my own home!
Laura, student from France: Homestay booking in Zone 2
“When my children went off to university and got married, my husband and I were empty nesters rattling around. We have an empty bedroom and I quite enjoy keeping it fresh for new students who come to stay with us both short and long term. Invariably, they show us a lot of respect. Coming to London to study or to work as interns is a big adventure for them and I enjoy settling them in and seeing them flourish. Some return or recommend to their friends to come and stay with us. London Homestays are a great organisation to deal with – good at communicating and highly ethical.”
Cathy, Homestay host in Colindale, London
“My first student has just left to return home and I have thoroughly enjoyed hosting her. It has been a lovely experience for me to help her with her English and learn about her Japanese culture.
I was nervous and apprehensive at first but it was so worthwhile and I look forward to continue hosting in the future. It has given me a boost knowing that I can give someone an opportunity that they may not have been able to afford without using London Homestays”
Audrey, Homestay host in Tooting, London
My homestay host Debra transformed my stay into the most amazing experience of my whole life!
Florian, student from Belgium: Homestay booking in Zone 3
My homestay host is a lovely lady, she was very helpful and genuine. London Homestays offer an excellent, fast service and quality accommodation. I would definitely recommend to my friends!
Shelaine, student from Canada: Homestay booking in Zone 2
Daphne was a really nice and welcoming host, I really enjoyed my stay with her and her family. Thank you London Homestays for connecting me with her!
Ben, researcher from USA: Superior homestay booking
My stay with my host family makes my time at UK much more fun and exciting! Life is happening!
Bao, student from China: Homestay booking in Zone 4+
“Really, we are very happy with our room at the residence. James in the residences team has helped us with all aspects of our booking and we would like to say, big thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
Dmitriy and Maria, two students from Russia: Residence booking
“I felt completely at ease and very comfortable with my host! She was really kind…many thanks!”
Doris, student from Italy: Superior homestay in Zone 2
“Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting (SCIC) has worked with Home from Home many times and they have provided a very professional service.”
Chan Sen, Director at Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting
“I highly recommend London Homestays! We have been working with them for a while now, and their professionalism and the quality of their homestays have always been exceptional. One of the homestays we collaborated with was so impressive that we even shared it on our YouTube channel to give our students a glimpse of the warm and welcoming environment they can expect. Thank you, London Homestays, for providing such amazing services. We look forward to continuing our partnership!”
Tuba Akca, Owner at Tubik Academy
Ready to become a host?
Apply today and we'll be in touch if we can take your application forward.
We'll use your details to respond to your application and manage the hosting process. See our Data Protection Notice.
