Homestay Consultancy for Colleges and Universities
We help colleges, universities and schools that run their own homestay accommodation recruit and vet host families, get the paperwork right, and run the programme themselves.
Most of what we do is place international students with London host families. Every so often an institution comes to us with a different problem. They run their own homestay accommodation, or they want to, and it isn’t working the way they need it to.
The two problems we usually see
It’s nearly always one of these, and often both.
The first is supply. You can’t find enough host families in the areas your students actually need, and the ones you do find take months to come through.
The second is confidence. You have hosts on the books, but you’re not certain your vetting and record-keeping would hold up if an inspector, a parent, or a safeguarding lead asked hard questions about it.
What we help with
We start by looking at what you already have. Sometimes the answer is that your process is sound and you need more hosts. Sometimes it’s the other way round.
You can take all of this or just the parts you need. From there we can help with:
- Finding host families in the areas you need them, using the channels that actually work
- Screening and vetting. We can build the process so your own team runs it, or carry out the assessments for you as a paid add-on, using a video walkthrough of the property, documentation and reference checks, and a written report for your records
- Host agreements, policies and records, including the paperwork that gets asked for during an inspection
- Training your staff so they can run the programme once it is up
- Licensing, so you operate your own homestay programme under your own name with our framework behind it
The aim is that you end up owning it. We’re not trying to become a permanent dependency.
Why us
We’ve been placing international students with London host families since 2009, and we’re registered with the British Council for our London homestay provision. That’s the same standard we apply when we help an institution build its own.
We have done this work for a further education college in Scotland, where we recruited and assessed host families on their behalf, and for an independent school in the south east, which took the framework and documentation and ran the assessments with its own staff. Both are valid ways to use us.
“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
Talk to us
If your institution runs its own homestay accommodation, or is thinking about starting, we’re happy to have a conversation about what’s involved.
Frequently asked questions
What does homestay consultancy actually involve?
It depends what you already have. For an institution starting from nothing, it’s designing the programme, recruiting the first hosts, and writing the policies. For one with an existing scheme, it’s usually fixing a specific weak point, most often host supply or vetting.
Can you help us set up a homestay programme from scratch?
Yes. That’s a large part of the work. We did exactly that with City of Glasgow College, helping them recruit, screen and support host families for their international students in Glasgow.
Do you recruit the host families, or do we?
Either. Some institutions want us to run recruitment and hand over vetted hosts. Others want to build the capability in-house and use us to design the process and train the team.
Who assesses the host families?
That is your choice, and it changes the cost. Some institutions license the framework and do the assessing with their own staff, because what they need is the process and the documentation rather than the legwork. Others ask us to carry out the assessment as a paid service. Where we do, it is remote: a video walkthrough of the property, documentation and reference checks, and a written report on each host for your records.
We do not carry out in-person home visits for consultancy clients. Those are done by your own staff, who are local to the host and will be the ones keeping the relationship going. If your programme needs in-person visits, we can offer the option to build them into the process and train your team to carry them out.
Are you British Council registered?
Yes, for our London homestay provision. Our consultancy work applies the same vetting and safeguarding standards, but it sits outside the scope of that registration, and we’re careful not to suggest otherwise.
Do you work outside London?
Yes. Our own placement service is London-based, but the consultancy work isn’t. The Glasgow project is the clearest example, and remote assessment is part of why distance is not a barrier.
How is it charged?
It depends on scope. Programme design and set-up is usually a fixed piece of work. Host assessment, if you want us to do it rather than do it yourselves, is normally charged per application. We’ll quote once we understand what you need.
Who owns the programme at the end?
You do. The point of the licensing model is that you run your own homestay accommodation under your own name.
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 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
