Introduction
Welcome to London Homestays, part of Home from Home Student Services Ltd, which also operates UK Student Residences and London Study English. We specialise in providing homestay and residence services by connecting international students with hosts across the UK. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and share personal data of our hosts and other related parties in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Company Details
• Business Name: Home from Home Student Services Ltd
• Trade Names: London Homestays, UK Student Residences, London Study English
• Company Registration Number: 07332845
• Data Protection Officer Contact Details: Steve Horrigan Email: s dot horrigan at londonhomestays.com
Data Collection and Use
At London Homestays, we collect personal information directly from our hosts to facilitate accommodation bookings and ensure a seamless operation of our services. This data collection is crucial for establishing and maintaining agreements between hosts, students, and our agency.
We collect personal information from our hosts to:
• Facilitate accommodation bookings.
• Comply with local safety and regulatory requirements.
• Process payments.
• Enhance the matching process between hosts and students.
The information we collect includes, but is not limited to:
• Personal Identifiers: We gather names, contact details (such as email addresses, phone numbers), and any other identification details necessary to establish the identity of our hosts.
• Address of the Accommodation: Full address details are necessary not only for placing students but also to comply with local safety and regulatory requirements. This includes the property type, ownership status, and any specific access instructions.
• Bank Details: To facilitate the payment process for services rendered, we collect bank account numbers, sort codes, and bank names. This information is used strictly for processing payments to hosts and is protected with stringent security measures.
• Personal Characteristics: Information such as the number of people living in the home, languages spoken, and any pets present. This helps match host profiles with student preferences and ensure compatibility.
• Cultural and Social Information: Details about hobbies, interests, and lifestyle of the hosts, which helps in creating a welcoming and suitable environment for students.
• Health and Safety Information: We may collect information related to health and safety measures of the accommodation, such as the presence of smoke detectors and safety exits, to ensure student safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Availability Details: Information about the availability of rooms, including specific times when hosts are willing to welcome students, to match with the students’ accommodation needs.
• Feedback and Historical Data: We collect feedback from previous stays to improve service quality and host-student matching. This may include information on hosts’ past experiences with students and any disputes or compliments received.
• Photographs and Video: Images or videos of the accommodation may be collected to provide a visual reference for potential matches and for use in promotional materials, with consent from the hosts.
All personal data collected is processed in accordance with GDPR guidelines and is only used to the extent necessary to provide our services effectively. By collecting and using this data, we aim to ensure both the satisfaction of our hosts and the safety and comfort of the students placed with them.
Legal Basis for Processing
The processing of your data is based on:
• Contractual necessity for the creation and fulfilment of agreements between you, the student, and us.
• Legitimate interests pursued by us or a third party, to provide a comprehensive service to both students and hosts.
• Consent for certain types of processing such as marketing communications.
Data Sharing and Disclosure
To effectively match hosts with students, we share your data with:
• Prospective and current students
• Educational institutions
• Travel agencies
• Accreditation bodies such as the British Council
• Legal and regulatory authorities when required by law
Data sharing with third parties is conducted under strict confidentiality agreements and only to the extent necessary to fulfil our services.
International Transfers
Some data may be transferred outside the UK if necessary for the provision of our services. In such cases, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data as per GDPR requirements, such as Standard Contractual Clauses.
Your Rights Under GDPR
As a data subject, you have the following rights:
1. Right to Access – You can request access to your personal data.
2. Right to Rectification – You can ask to correct any incorrect data.
3. Right to Erasure – You can request the deletion of your data in certain circumstances.
4. Right to Restrict Processing – You may ask to pause the processing of your data.
5. Right to Data Portability – You can receive your data in a portable format.
6. Right to Object – You may object to the processing of your data.
7. Rights in Relation to Automated Decision Making and Profiling – You have rights concerning automated decision-making, including profiling.
Data Security
We implement strong technical and organisational measures to ensure the security of your data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
Changes to This Policy
This policy is reviewed regularly and may be updated.
Contacting Us
For any questions or concerns about this policy or your data, please contact our Data Protection Officer at s dot horrigan at londonhomestays.com.
How to Complain
If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
