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.
- 17years placing students in London homes
- Freeto apply or join
- 18+most guests are adults; 16–17 only if you opt in
- 1–6London zones where we place guests
Life as a host family
Some of our London host families share their experiences and memories of hosting international students.
Why host with London Homestays
- Your own host portalSee your bookings, update your availability and room photos, and check when you've been paid, all in one place.
- A small, friendly teamReach us by phone, email or WhatsApp in office hours. Out of hours, there's an emergency line for current placements.
- We handle the moneyWe collect payment from your guest and pay you, so you never have to chase anyone for rent.
- You say yes to each bookingWe send you the guest's details first, and you decide whether the booking works for you.
- Host when it suits youTake short stays or longer bookings, and block out dates when you want a break.
I was really impressed with the London Homestays portal — I'd never seen anything like it. You can manage your availability, update room photos, and see exactly when you've been paid, which is something I'm always chasing the other agencies I use for. It makes the whole process more streamlined. Can't recommend it highly enough!
Host guides and checklists
Practical help for every stage, from deciding to host to the day your guest leaves.
Thinking about hosting
Preparing to host
During the stay
Is hosting a good fit for you?
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 (single rooms are most requested)
- You can offer one or more options: self-catering, bed & breakfast, half board
- Wi-Fi is available for guests
- English is the main language spoken in the home while guests are staying
- You're happy to keep in touch with our team by email or WhatsApp
Not sure about travel times? Apply anyway — we'll confirm whether your location is suitable.
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)
How hosting works, step by step
From your application to your first guest: what we check, how bookings work, how you are paid and the support you get.
Read the introduction to hostingGetting started is straightforward
- 1
Apply or register interest
Share details about your home, household, availability and what you can offer.
- 2
We review and arrange a call
If it looks like a good fit, we'll contact you to talk through next steps.
- 3
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).
- 4
Start hosting
When a suitable request comes in, we'll send you the details so you can decide whether it works for you.
Applying doesn't commit you to hosting — it helps us check whether your home is likely to be a good fit.
What you could earn
Your rate depends on your zone, the room and the meal plan you offer. We confirm your exact rate when you join.
Officially registered with the British Council
London Homestays meets the standard for registration with the British Council as a provider of homestay accommodation for adults and under 18s for accredited providers in London.
What our hosts say
Such a good company to work with. They are always professional, polite, and keep us informed.
London Homestays is a good company to work with. They're very good, they're with you every step of the way. If you have any problem, they are there.
My first student has just left and I thoroughly enjoyed hosting her. It was a lovely experience to help her with her English and learn about her Japanese culture. I was nervous at first but it was so worthwhile, and it has given me a boost knowing I can give someone an opportunity they may not have been able to afford otherwise.
Your questions answered
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 WhatsApp.
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.
Contact usHow long do guests typically stay?
Stay lengths vary from one or two weeks up to full academic years and beyond (some students renew after their first year). The average stay is around three to four weeks.
Can I tell you my preferences for guests?
Yes. In your application and host profile, you can tell us your preferences (for example: age group, gender, meal plan and household considerations). Please note that the more you narrow your preferences, the fewer suitable booking requests we may be able to offer.
What if I'm unavailable or going on holiday?
Please update your availability so we do not offer bookings for that period. If you accept a booking, we ask that you do not make plans that conflict with those dates. If something changes unexpectedly, contact us as soon as possible.
What support does London Homestays provide to hosts?
We provide practical support during office hours by phone, email and WhatsApp (message-only). For genuine emergencies relating to current placements only, out-of-hours emergency support is available. Out-of-hours emergency phone numbers are provided at booking confirmation and via our office voicemail (we do not publish them on the website).
What if I need to cancel a booking?
Please cancel only if it is absolutely unavoidable, and notify us as soon as possible. When you accept a booking, students (and where relevant, schools and agents) rely on that commitment. Cancellations can be disruptive and upsetting for students who have prepared for their stay, and can affect our ability to meet partner requirements.
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.