House rules, visitors and address use

Clear expectations for house rules, visitors, daytime routine and address use.

This resource helps new hosts set clear expectations kindly, and stay aligned with what guests have been told to expect. It’s written for adult (18+) stays and for students aged 16–17 where relevant.

1) Nature of a homestay stay (plain English)

Homestay accommodation is a room in a host-occupied home with shared facilities. Guests are expected to follow your household’s normal routines and reasonable house rules. It is not the same as renting a self-contained flat.

2) House rules and keys

A simple check-in conversation prevents most misunderstandings. We recommend covering:

Keys: guests should be given keys and shown how to lock the door properly.
Privacy and shared spaces: what is shared, what is private, and any areas guests should avoid.
Quiet hours and household routines: for example typical bathroom and meal times (where meals are included).
Safety basics: locking doors/windows, and the fire escape route(s).

At check-out, please collect all keys and entry fobs/cards. This is one of the most common issues after departures.

3) Visitors and overnight guests

Day visitors:

Guests may have visitors only with your permission and in a way that respects your household (noise, shared spaces, and other household members).

Overnight visitors:

Overnight visitors are not usually permitted. If a guest asks about an overnight visitor, please refer the request to London Homestays. Any exception must be approved by London Homestays in writing in advance, and guests should not assume this is possible.

If you are unsure, or a guest puts you under pressure, contact London Homestays for guidance.

4) Daytime routine (weekdays)

Homestay is typically designed for students, interns and short-stay guests who are out at school, college or placement during weekday daytime hours. As a guide, guests are normally out of the home during the day (roughly 10:00–16:00, Monday–Friday), unless agreed otherwise in advance. This helps the household routine run smoothly and avoids misunderstandings.

If a guest needs to be at home during these hours:

Occasional daytime presence (for example illness, a delivery, or a scheduled remote class): guests should tell you in advance and follow house rules (quiet use, shared spaces kept free).
Regular daytime home working or full-time online study: guests should tell London Homestays before booking, so we can check whether your home is suitable and seek your agreement in advance.

5) Using your address

Your home address is personal. Guests should not use it for banking, credit or National Insurance registration unless you give prior written permission.

Welfare and emergency use:

Using the address for essential welfare or emergency purposes (for example registering with a GP/NHS services, or providing details to an embassy) is usually fine, as long as you are aware and it has been agreed.

Good practice (recommended):

If a guest asks to use your address for anything beyond welfare/emergency purposes, ask what it’s for and take time to decide.
If you do give written permission, keep it specific and time-limited (for example ‘for this purpose only, during this stay’).
If you prefer not to allow it, it is fine to say no. If the guest needs help, refer them to London Homestays.

6) When to contact London Homestays

Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm (phone lines 11am–3pm).

WhatsApp: 020 8395 0333 (message-only service, monitored during office hours). Please do not use WhatsApp for emergencies.

Out-of-hours emergency support is available for genuine emergencies relating to current placements only. Out-of-hours emergency phone numbers are provided at booking confirmation and via our office voicemail (we do not publish them on the website).

Related resources

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