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Host Start Pack

Everything you need to know before you apply

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Host Start Pack

London Homestays — Everything you need to know before you apply

Last updated: 10 March 2026

Hosting can be rewarding, but it’s also a real commitment. This pack is here to remove uncertainty and help you decide whether it’s a good fit for your home and lifestyle.

The basics

Here’s the straightforward version. Most hosts want to know who they’ll host, what’s expected, and what support looks like. The essentials are below:

  • Who you may host: international students and guests in London for study, training or work. Most placements are adults (18+). Some hosts choose to accommodate 16–17 year olds, with additional checks and guidance.
  • What you provide: a clean, comfortable bedroom, Wi‑Fi, and a home where guests feel welcome.
  • Support: office support is available Monday–Friday, with out-of-hours emergency support for genuine emergencies relating to current placements.
  • Earnings: hosts can earn up to £250 per student per week, depending on your location, room set-up, meal plan and how flexible you are with bookings.
  • Payments: hosts are paid by bank transfer, 10 days after arrival and then every two weeks (depending on stay length).

Is hosting likely to be a fit?

A quick sense-check before you apply:


  • You’re in London Zones 1–6 (strongest demand is usually Zones 1–4).

  • You can offer a clean, comfortable bedroom with storage and somewhere to study (in the bedroom or elsewhere).

  • Wi‐Fi is available for guests.

  • English is the main language spoken in the home while guests are staying.

  • You can offer one or more meal options (self‐catering, bed & breakfast, or half board), as agreed per booking.

  • You can respond promptly to booking requests and keep your availability up to date.

What you control (and what we won’t push you into)

Adults-only vs 16–17 is your choice

Most placements are adults (18+). Hosting 16–17 year olds is optional, and requires additional checks and guidance.

Your preferences matter (with a reality check)

You can tell us your preferences (age group, gender, meal plan, household considerations). Please note: the narrower your preferences, the fewer matching booking requests we may be able to offer.

House rules and boundaries

We encourage hosts to set clear, fair house rules from day one. That’s better for you and for the guest.

Guidelines on keys, visitors, laundry and boundaries →

How payments work (what we can say publicly)

  • Hosts are paid by bank transfer.
  • Payments are made 10 days after arrival and then every two weeks (depending on the length of stay).

Please do not accept additional payments directly from guests or discuss rates with guests, schools, or agents. If a guest asks about pricing or extensions, refer them to London Homestays.

How your rate is agreed

Your agreed rate depends on the booking details (for example, location, room setup and meal plan). Full terms are set out in your host agreement.

What happens if plans change?

We’ll inform you as soon as possible if a guest cancels or dates change. If a guest cancels at very short notice and we can’t find a replacement booking, compensation may apply under your host agreement.

We explain the practical handling during onboarding, and the full terms are in the host agreement.

Support, emergencies, and who to contact

Office hours

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

How to contact us (office hours)

Out-of-hours

Emergency support is available for genuine emergencies relating to current placements. Emergency numbers are provided at booking confirmation and via office voicemail (not published on the website).

Protecting your household (practical, real-world)

Address use (important)

Guests should not use your address for banking, credit, or National Insurance registration without your explicit permission. If you’re unsure, contact London Homestays for advice.

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.

Insurance questions & guidance →

What happens next (after you apply)

How long does approval take?

If your home matches what we need right now, the process can move quickly. If not, we’ll tell you early on so you can decide whether you’d like to wait or leave it there.

  1. You complete the application (or a quick enquiry).
  2. If it looks like a good fit, we contact you to talk through next steps.
  3. Before your first placement, approval normally includes a call (or video call) and an in-person home visit.
  4. Once approved, you’ll have access to the Host Portal to keep your profile and availability up to date, and view bookings.

FAQs

Do I have to host under-18s?

No. Most placements are adults (18+). Hosting 16–17 year olds is optional and involves additional checks and guidance. If helpful, see our guide: Hosting 16–17 year olds.

When do I get paid?

10 days after arrival, then every two weeks (depending on stay length).

Can I set preferences (for example, female only)?

Yes — but the more you narrow your preferences, the fewer matching requests we may be able to offer.

Can guests have overnight visitors?

Overnight visitors are not usually permitted. Any exception must be approved by London Homestays in writing in advance.

Related resources

Not sure if hosting is right for you?

If you’re weighing up homestay hosting against taking in a lodger, see our host vs lodger decision guide first.

Host with us

Thinking about hosting an international student?

Apply to become a host family and we'll guide you through the next steps.

Apply now

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

  • “We have placed students with London Homestays for over ten years. The host families suit what our students actually need, and when something comes up during the stay, it gets sorted quickly rather than passed between people. They make everything very easy, with detailed host profiles showing transport links to our school, and a thorough matching process. Our office always knows where a student is and who to call. Happy to recommend.”

    Ewa Pietreniuk, Head of Partnerships, Speak Up London

  • “We partnered with London Homestays to help us verify and assess homestay hosts we were recruiting for our international students in Glasgow. Their expertise in vetting hosts to British Council standards gave us real confidence in the quality and safety of the accommodation we were able to offer. The team were professional, responsive and a pleasure to work with throughout. We would highly recommend London Homestays to other colleges and universities looking for a knowledgeable and reliable accommodation partner.”

    Lucia Murray-Rapuano, Global Skills Development Manager, City of Glasgow College

  • “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

  • “London Homestays has been an excellent accommodation partner for our students. The team is always helpful, responsive and highly professional. They consistently match students with the right hosts based on individual requirements, ensuring a positive and comfortable homestay experience.”

    Ellie Fordham, Student Services Manager, Stafford House

  • 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

  • The London Homestays portal is amazing. You can manage availability, update photos, and see when you’ve been paid — something I’m always chasing the other agencies. Can’t recommend it highly enough!

    Sharon, host in Finchley

  • “I have been a host for London Homestays for over 8 years. The team is professional, friendly and always quick to respond. They do a great job matching students with hosts and making the whole process smooth and straightforward. The students I’ve hosted have been respectful and lovely to have in my home. I would happily recommend London Homestays to anyone considering becoming a host.”

    Sarah-Jayne, Walthamstow — host since 2018

  • “London Homestays are very pleasant and put you at ease.”

    Pat & Clyde, hosts in Tooting, London

  • “The team — especially James and Ellie — were incredibly responsive, patient and kind. They answered all my questions and checked with hosts about everything from commute times to where I’d store my bicycle. They even sent a Chinese translation of their first email. I felt truly welcomed.”

    Ruoxi, student from China