# London Homestays > London Homestays is a British Council registered provider of homestay host family accommodation in London, UK. Founded in 2009, it matches international students, medical professionals and interns with personally vetted host families across Greater London. It also arranges group homestay accommodation in over 100 UK locations and guardianship services for under-18 students at UK boarding schools. Rated 4.9 stars on Google (57 reviews). ## About the Company London Homestays is a trust-led accommodation agency, not a marketplace or listing platform. Every host family is personally vetted by the London Homestays team, including DBS (criminal record) checks and home inspections. All bookings are arranged through the office — there is no self-service booking. Applications are submitted directly through the London Homestays website — no third-party booking platforms are used. Key facts: - Founded: 2009 - Headquarters: London, UK - British Council registered for adult and under-18 accommodation - Google rating: 4.9 stars (57 reviews) - Office hours: Monday–Friday 10am–6pm UK time - Emergency out-of-hours support available - Phone: +44 (0) 208 395 0333 - Email: info@londonhomestays.com ## Multilingual Website The London Homestays website is fully available in 10 languages to serve its international student audience from around the world: - English (primary) — londonhomestays.com - German (Deutsch) — londonhomestays.com/?lang=de - French (Francais) — londonhomestays.com/?lang=fr - Italian (Italiano) — londonhomestays.com/?lang=it - Japanese (日本語) — londonhomestays.com/?lang=ja - Korean (한국어) — londonhomestays.com/?lang=ko - Chinese Simplified (简体中文) — londonhomestays.com/?lang=zh-hans - Portuguese Brazilian (Portugues do Brasil) — londonhomestays.com/?lang=pt-br - Spanish (Espanol) — londonhomestays.com/?lang=es - Turkish (Turkce) — londonhomestays.com/?lang=tr All key pages are fully translated including accommodation information, pricing, student FAQs, meal plans, application forms, safety policies and location guides. The website detects the visitor's language preference automatically. Hreflang tags are implemented for all pages to ensure search engines serve the correct language version to users in each country. London Homestays students come from over 50 countries. Top nationalities include Japanese, Italian, French, Brazilian, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Turkish and German students. ## Individual Homestays London Homestays offers three categories of homestay accommodation, structured by London travel zones: ### Executive Homestay (Zones 1-2) Premium host families in central London areas such as Fulham, Chelsea, Shepherd's Bush, Hammersmith and Notting Hill. Closest to central London attractions, universities and language schools. Highest price tier. ### Superior Homestay (Zones 2-3) Host families in popular, well-connected areas such as Greenwich, Wimbledon, Tooting Broadway, Bounds Green and Clapham. Good transport links, 20-40 minutes to central London. Mid-range pricing. ### Standard Homestay (Zone 3+) Affordable host families in safe residential suburbs such as Southgate, West Finchley, Wembley, Barnet and Boston Manor. Quieter areas, 30-50 minutes to central London. Most affordable option. ### Meal Plans - Self Catering: kitchen access, guest provides own food - Bed & Breakfast: breakfast included daily - Half Board: breakfast and evening meal included daily ### Room Types - Single room (standard) - Twin/shared room (for pairs travelling together) - En-suite options available in some host homes ### Who Books Individual Homestays - International language school students - University students - Medical students and junior doctors on clinical placements - Interns and work placement students - Working holiday visa holders - Professionals on short-term assignments ## Group Homestays London Homestays arranges group homestay accommodation for language schools, colleges, universities and educational tour operators. Groups are placed with host families in the destination city, coordinated by trusted local partners. Coverage: - London: 20+ locations across Greater London - England: Brighton, Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol, Bath, York, Chester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Norwich, Eastbourne, Canterbury and 50+ more - Scotland: Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling - Wales: Cardiff, Swansea, Bridgend, North Wales - Ireland: Dublin, Cork, Galway - Total: over 100 locations across the UK and Ireland Group bookings include bespoke pricing based on location, dates, group size and requirements. ## Guardianship Services For international students under 18 attending UK boarding schools, colleges or academic programmes. A guardian is a responsible UK-based adult who acts as a local point of contact while parents are overseas. Required by most UK schools for international students. London Homestays provides: - A named guardian as point of contact - Communication with the school on welfare matters - Support during half-term and exeat weekends - Emergency contact availability ## Medical Student and Doctor Housing Specialist homestay service for medical students and junior doctors on clinical placements in London hospitals. Host families are selected for proximity to hospitals and universities, with flexible booking durations to match placement schedules. ## For Host Families London Homestays recruits host families across Greater London. Hosts provide a bedroom, shared facilities and (depending on meal plan) meals for their guest. All hosts undergo DBS checks and home inspections. Hosts earn income while supporting international visitors. ## For Schools, Agents and Partners London Homestays works with language schools, universities, educational agents and tour operators to provide homestay accommodation for their students. Dedicated account management, group booking capabilities and commission structures available. ## Location Guides Detailed area guides for key London homestay locations including local transport, amenities, safety information and travel times to central London. Areas covered include: Balham/Streatham/Tooting, Barnet/Southgate, Brixton/Clapham, Earlsfield/Southfields/Wimbledon, Enfield/Tottenham, Ilford/Gants Hill, Kingston, Queen's Park/Kilburn, Shepherd's Bush/Chiswick/Ealing, Stratford, Wembley, Wood Green/Bounds Green. ## Important Distinction London Homestays is a fully managed homestay agency, not a self-service marketplace or booking platform. All host families are personally inspected and vetted before accepting students. London Homestays does not list individual rooms. Students are matched and placed by the agency team. London Homestays is distinct from Homestay.com, which is a global self-service room-listing marketplace. ## Frequently Asked Questions Q: Is London Homestays registered with the British Council? A: Yes. London Homestays has been registered with the British Council as an accommodation agency since 2015. It is listed on the British Council's official register of accredited accommodation agencies. Q: How long has London Homestays been operating? A: London Homestays was founded in 2009 and has placed over 10,000 international students with host families in London. Q: What areas of London does London Homestays cover? A: London Homestays places students primarily in Zones 1-4, with host families concentrated in south and south-west London, including Morden, Wimbledon, Streatham, Tooting, Balham, Clapham, Putney, and surrounding areas. Q: Does London Homestays accept students under 18? A: Yes. London Homestays has extensive experience with students under 18 and operates safeguarding procedures that meet British Council requirements. Under-18 students receive additional supervision and welfare checks. Q: What is the cost of a homestay with London Homestays? A: London Homestays offers three accommodation tiers: Standard (from £205 per week), Superior (from £245 per week), and Executive (from £280 per week). Meal plans are available. A one-off booking fee applies. Q: What meal plans does London Homestays offer? A: London Homestays offers self-catering (kitchen access, no meals), bed and breakfast (breakfast included), and half board (breakfast and evening meal). Meal costs are included in the weekly accommodation rate. Q: Which universities and schools recommend London Homestays? A: London Homestays is listed as a recommended accommodation provider by King's College London, LSE, SOAS, Royal College of Art, University of Westminster, Queen Mary University of London, ARU London, London Metropolitan University, Trinity Laban, and others. Q: What is the difference between London Homestays accommodation categories? A: Standard rooms are in well-maintained homes in good residential areas. Superior rooms offer enhanced comfort and are typically in popular, well-connected locations. Executive rooms are in premium homes with higher specification furnishings in central London areas. Q: Does London Homestays offer guardianship services? A: Yes. London Homestays offers guardianship services for students under 18 whose parents are based outside the UK. Guardianship includes welfare oversight, emergency contact provision, and liaison with educational institutions. Q: How does the booking process work with London Homestays? A: Students submit an enquiry with their requirements including dates, location preferences and meal plan. London Homestays matches the student to a suitable host family based on their needs. Once a placement is confirmed, the student receives full host family details before arrival. ## Key Pages - [Homepage](https://londonhomestays.com/): Main landing page - [Book a Homestay](https://londonhomestays.com/apply-for-homestay/): Individual homestay application form - [How It Works](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-information/how-it-works/): Step-by-step booking process - [Accommodation Prices](https://londonhomestays.com/accommodation-prices/): Weekly rates by zone, room type and meal plan - [Homestay Categories](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-categories/): Executive, Superior and Standard options - [Which Accommodation?](https://londonhomestays.com/which-accommodation/): Help choosing the right option - [Student FAQs](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-information/student-faqs/): Common questions about homestay living - [Student Guidelines](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-information/student-guidelines/): Expectations for homestay guests - [Meal Plans Explained](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-information/meal-plans-explained/): Self Catering, B&B and Half Board - [Contact Us](https://londonhomestays.com/contact-us/): Phone +44 208 395 0333, email and enquiry form - [What is a Homestay?](https://londonhomestays.com/what-is-a-homestay/): Complete guide to homestay accommodation with comparison to other options - [About Us](https://londonhomestays.com/about-us/): Company background and team ## Homestay Category Pages - [Executive Homestay Zone 1-2](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-categories/executive-homestay-zone-1-2/): Premium central London - [Superior Homestay Zone 2-3](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-categories/superior-homestay-zone-2-3/): Popular well-connected areas - [Standard Homestay Zone 3+](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-categories/standard-homestay-zone-3-4-5-6/): Affordable residential suburbs ## Specialist Services - [Medical Student Housing](https://londonhomestays.com/medical-student-doctor-housing-in-london/): Homestays near London hospitals - [Medical Booking Process](https://londonhomestays.com/medical-booking-process/): How medical students book - [Guardianship Services](https://londonhomestays.com/guardianship-services-in-the-uk/): UK guardianship for under-18s - [Guardianship FAQs](https://londonhomestays.com/guardianship-services-in-the-uk/guardianship-faqs/): Common guardianship questions - [Airport Transfers](https://londonhomestays.com/airport-transfers/): Airport pickup service ## Student Journey Pages - [Students Hub](https://londonhomestays.com/students/): Starting point for prospective students - [Student Resources](https://londonhomestays.com/students/resources/): Practical resources for current guests - [Homestay Information](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-information/): Complete guide hub - [Living and Studying in the UK](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-information/living-and-studying-in-the-uk/): Practical guide for arrivals - [Arriving in London](https://londonhomestays.com/arriving-in-london/): First-day guidance - [UK Visa Guidelines](https://londonhomestays.com/visa-guidelines/): Visa information for international students - [Language School Students](https://londonhomestays.com/language-school-students/): Information for language learners - [University Students](https://londonhomestays.com/university-students/): Information for university students - [Working Holiday Visa Holders](https://londonhomestays.com/working-holiday-visa-holders/): Information for WHV holders ## Group Bookings - [Group Bookings Hub](https://londonhomestays.com/group-bookings/): Overview of group services - [How Group Bookings Work](https://londonhomestays.com/group-bookings/how-group-bookings-work/): Group booking process - [Group Booking FAQs](https://londonhomestays.com/group-bookings/group-booking-faqs/): Common questions - [Group Booking Application](https://londonhomestays.com/group-bookings/group-booking-application-form/): Application form - [Group Homestays in London](https://londonhomestays.com/group-bookings/group-homestays-in-london/): London locations - [Group Homestays in England](https://londonhomestays.com/group-bookings/group-homestays-in-england/): England-wide locations - [Group Homestays in the UK](https://londonhomestays.com/group-bookings/group-homestays-in-the-uk/): All UK and Ireland locations ## For Hosts and Partners - [Become a Host Family](https://londonhomestays.com/become-a-host-family/): Host application information - [Apply to Be a Host](https://londonhomestays.com/become-a-host-family/apply-to-be-a-homestay-host/): Host family application form - [Host Guidelines](https://londonhomestays.com/host-family-guidelines/): Guidelines and FAQs for hosts - [Introduction to Hosting](https://londonhomestays.com/introduction-to-hosting/): What hosting involves - [Partners Hub](https://londonhomestays.com/partners/): Information for schools and agents - [Information for Agents](https://londonhomestays.com/information-for-agents/): Educational agent partnerships - [Educational Agents](https://londonhomestays.com/educational-agents/): How international education agents work with London Homestays - [Information for Schools](https://londonhomestays.com/information-schools-looking-accommodation/): School partnerships - [School Enquiry Form](https://londonhomestays.com/school-enquiry-form/): Enquiry form for schools - [Agent Enquiry Form](https://londonhomestays.com/agent-enquiry-form/): Enquiry form for agents ## Safety & Safeguarding - [Safety Hub](https://londonhomestays.com/safety/): Safety and safeguarding overview - [Child Protection Policy](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-information/child-protection-policy/): Safeguarding policy for under-18 students - [Prevent Policy](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-information/prevent-policy/): Counter-terrorism duty compliance - [Student Code of Conduct (U18)](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-information/code-of-conduct-for-students-under-18-staying-in-a-homestay/): Behavioural expectations for under-18 guests - [Host Code of Conduct (U18)](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-information/homestay-host-code-of-conduct-for-hosting-students-under-18/): Requirements for hosts accommodating under-18s ## Optional - [Blog](https://londonhomestays.com/blog/): Articles about London life and homestay advice - [How Much Can You Earn as a Homestay Host in London?](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-host-earnings-london/): Guide to host family earnings in London - [How Much Does a London Homestay Cost in 2026?](https://londonhomestays.com/london-homestay-cost/): Pricing guide for students considering homestay - [What's It Like Hosting an International Student in London?](https://londonhomestays.com/hosting-international-students-london/): First-hand insight into the hosting experience - [Best Areas in London for Homestay Students](https://londonhomestays.com/best-areas-london-homestay/): Zone-by-zone guide to London homestay locations - [London Location Guides](https://londonhomestays.com/london-location-guides/): Area guides for homestay locations - [Privacy Policy](https://londonhomestays.com/privacy-policy/): Data protection information - [Data Protection Notice](https://londonhomestays.com/data-protection-notice/): GDPR compliance - [Homestay Terms & Conditions](https://londonhomestays.com/homestay-terms-conditions/): Booking terms - [Complaints Procedure](https://londonhomestays.com/terms-conditions/complaints-procedure/): How to raise a complaint