Special Requests
Tell us your preferences when you apply — we'll do our best to match you.
You can tell us your preferences when you apply. We will do our best to match you, but some requests depend on availability and cannot be guaranteed.
What we can usually consider
These are common requests. Please list anything that is important to you in your application.
- Dietary requirements (for example vegetarian, halal)
- Allergies and intolerances (tell us in writing before booking)
- Pets / no pets preference
- Quiet home / study-focused home
- Single room / twin room (where available)
- Location preferences (for example near a specific station)
- Accessibility and mobility needs (tell us what you need, not just the condition)
- Early starts / late finishes
Essential needs vs preferences
It helps if you tell us what is essential (must-have) and what is a preference (nice-to-have). For example, an allergy may be essential, while a ‘pet-free’ request may be a preference unless we confirm it in writing.
Allergies and meal plans
If you have a food allergy or intolerance, tell us in writing before booking. We will share this with your host so they can prepare for your stay.
Homestay hosts are not professional kitchens. Ingredients may contain allergens and cross-contact cannot be eliminated in a domestic home.
If you have a severe allergy (for example anaphylaxis risk), host-prepared meal plans may be unsafe. We strongly recommend self-catering.
Read more: Food allergies in homestays.
Pets
If a host profile discloses pets, some pet hair/dander and occasional odour is normal in a domestic home.
If you have a pet allergy or sensitivity, tell us in writing before booking. If your allergy is severe, do not book a home with pets; choose a pet-free option.
A request for ‘no pets’ is a preference unless we confirm in writing that it is guaranteed.
Accessibility and mobility needs
Please describe what you need (for example step-free access, ground-floor room, accessible bathroom). Many London homes have stairs, and accessible options can be limited.
If you need to be at home during weekday daytime hours due to a disability or health condition, tell us before booking so we can discuss options.
Location requests
If you share your school/work address (or nearest station), we can suggest areas with practical routes.
Zone 1 homestays are extremely rare. Zone 2 or zone 3+ homestays are often a practical balance of travel time and weekly cost.
What we cannot promise
We will try our best to accommodate your requests; however, we cannot guarantee requests unless we confirm them in writing. For example:
- A specific postcode or neighbourhood
- A specific commute time
- A pet-free home unless confirmed in writing
- A particular host family
- Specialist allergen-controlled cooking environments
If your request is essential
Please make it clear in your application. If we cannot meet an essential need safely, we will tell you as soon as we can so you can consider other options.
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
