Student FAQs for homestay bookings

A homestay is a room in a local person’s or family’s home. You live as a guest and share some areas (for example the kitchen and bathroom).

A homestay is not a hotel. Your host is not there to “serve” you, but they should provide a safe, welcoming home and the facilities included in your booking.

For direct bookings, we arrange homestays for guests coming to London for study, internship or (in some cases) full-time employment.

We do not arrange homestays for tourism or holidays.

We generally do not accept bookings of less than 1 week.

Bookings under 4 weeks are subject to a short-stay supplement (your quote will show this).

For individual bookings, our minimum age is 16.

Individual under-18 placements are for students aged 16–17 only. We do not place under-16s individually.

There is no maximum age.

Zone 1 homestays are extremely rare. Many students choose Zone 2 (or Zone 3) with good transport links to their school or placement.

If you request Zone 1, we may ask you to consider Zone 2 to increase availability and speed up the match.

Yes – tell us what you need when you apply. We will try to match your request.

Please note: very specific requests can reduce (or remove) the available options. If needed, we may ask whether you can be flexible on some points.

Some homes can offer a private bathroom, but availability is limited.

If this is important for you, tell us when you apply. It may affect the price and the available options.

No. Homestays are private homes and we do not arrange viewings.

Where available, we can share host information and photos to help you understand the home before you arrive.

We aim to reply within 1–2 working days.

If your request is very specific or during busy periods, it may take longer to find suitable options.

Your quote/invoice will show the total price for your stay, including:

• The weekly accommodation rate (based on your chosen category/zone and meal plan)
• A £50 booking fee (applies to all bookings)
• Any applicable supplements (for example short-stay or under-18)

If anything is unclear, email us before you pay.

We can only confirm (and reserve) dates that have been paid for.

Your invoice will include a payment deadline. Until payment is received, the host may accept another booking.

If you need extra time to arrange payment, please tell us as soon as possible so we can advise what is realistic.

For longer stays (usually 12 weeks or more), we may be able to offer instalments by agreement.

A typical instalment plan is: pay the first 8 weeks in advance, then pay in 4-week blocks on the dates we confirm.

Instalments must be agreed in advance. If payments are late, we may not be able to hold the room.

No. Guests must not pay the host directly.

All payments are made to London Homestays.

In most cases, yes. Homestay prices usually include household bills (gas, electricity and water) and Wi‑Fi as part of the weekly rate.

Please use utilities reasonably, like you would in a family home.

If anything is different for your booking, it will be shown on your quote/invoice.

Your room is furnished. Your host provides bed linen and towels (and bedding is usually changed weekly).

You should bring your toiletries (for example soap, shampoo, toothpaste) and a UK plug adaptor (UK plugs are type G, three pins).

If you are unsure about anything, ask us before you travel.

A small gift from your home country can be a nice gesture, but it is not required.

Where possible, weekend arrivals are often easier to arrange.

Weekday arrivals are possible, but many hosts are out during the day, so arrival times are more limited.

Unless a different time has been agreed in advance with your host:

• Weekend: check-in after 14:00 and before 20:30
• Weekday: arrivals are usually after 18:00 and before 20:30
• Check-out: before 10:00

If you need to arrive outside these times, tell us in advance. We will try to arrange this with the host, but it depends on whether the host is available and agrees.

It is your responsibility to travel from the airport/station to the homestay.

Make sure you have the full address and postcode (UK zip code), and directions, before you travel.

We can arrange an airport transfer for a fee if you request it in advance.

If you share a bathroom, you will need to be considerate of other people in the home.

Ask your host about the best times for showers and how long is reasonable.

In the UK, toilet paper is flushed. Do not flush wipes, sanitary products or cotton buds – your host will show you where to dispose of these.

In most homes, laundry is included and arrangements vary by household.

Laundry is typically up to two washes per week (often one dark wash and one light wash).

Ask your host which day(s) to do laundry and where to dry clothes. Many UK homes use drying racks or radiators rather than tumble dryers.

No. You are responsible for keeping your room reasonably clean and tidy.

Please also clean up after yourself in shared areas (especially the kitchen).

You are not expected to do housework such as babysitting, gardening or cleaning the host’s home.

Wi‑Fi is provided in the home. Like any domestic service, it can occasionally be affected by outages.

Please agree any reasonable house rules with your host (for example quiet hours and volume for calls).

Only if you book a twin or double room for two people travelling together.

We do not place students with a stranger in the same bedroom.

Day visitors: only if your host agrees.

Overnight guests: not permitted unless London Homestays gives written permission in advance. Please email us to request approval and do not ask the host directly.

If you are over 18 and plan to return late, tell your host in advance so they do not worry.

Please come in quietly and avoid waking other people (for example loud calls, cooking, music).

Follow your host’s house rules. Most homes are non-smoking.

No indoor smoking or vaping.

Illegal drugs are not permitted.

No, you cannot bring pets into the homestay.

Tell your host immediately.

If keys or locks need to be replaced, you may need to pay the cost.

Please look after your belongings. We recommend travel/student insurance for personal items.

If you bring valuables (for example a laptop, passport, camera or cash), ask your host about safe storage and avoid keeping large amounts of cash in your room.

If something is lost or stolen, tell your host and London Homestays as soon as possible.

Most students use their own mobile phone or messaging apps.

Do not use the host’s phone for outgoing calls unless they agree.

Homestay is designed for students and interns who are out at school or their placement during typical weekday daytime hours.

Unless agreed otherwise in advance, guests are expected to be out of the home between 10:00 and 16:00 (Monday–Friday).

If you need to be at home occasionally (for example illness or remote classes), tell your host in advance and follow house rules.

If you plan to be at home regularly during these hours (for example full-time online study or remote work), you must tell us before booking. Homestay may not be suitable.

For individual bookings, we offer three options: Self-catering, Bed & Breakfast, and Half board (breakfast and evening meal).

See Meal plans explained for details. Not all hosts offer every meal plan.

No. If you plan to eat out, tell your host as early as possible so they do not cook for you unnecessarily.

Self-catering: you can use the kitchen for cooking at agreed times, and your host will show you where to store food.

Bed & Breakfast: kitchen use is not guaranteed. Some hosts may allow light use if agreed in advance.

Half board: kitchen access varies. Your host will explain their house rules.

Sometimes, but it depends on the host and availability.

Please ask London Homestays in writing as early as possible. Changes are not guaranteed and may affect the price.

Tell us in writing before booking. We will do our best to match you with a suitable host, but availability depends on the request.

If your diet is very specific, self-catering can be a good option because you control what you buy and prepare.

Tell us in writing before booking. By doing so, you consent to us sharing this information with your host for the purpose of arranging your stay.

Homestay hosts are not professional kitchens. Ingredients may contain allergens, and allergens can get into other food during cooking in a domestic home.

If you have a severe allergy (for example anaphylaxis risk), self-catering is usually the safest option.

See our Food allergies page for more detail.

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.

We carry out checks on hosts before accepting them and we have a process for ongoing management of stays.

The checks we use depend on the type of booking. Where relevant, checks may include a DBS check.

For more information about our approach, see our Safety hub.

Yes. Individual under-18 placements are for students aged 16–17 only.

We do not place under-16s individually.

Please read our Safety hub before booking.

If it’s an emergency, call 999.

For urgent medical advice that is not life-threatening, contact NHS 111.

For help with your stay, contact London Homestays during office hours. Out-of-hours emergency support is available. Details are provided at booking confirmation and via our office voicemail.

You must ask your host first before ordering parcels, letters or food deliveries to the home.

Where possible, use a parcel locker/collection point or your school address, especially for short stays.

Only with the host’s written permission, and typically only for stays of 6 months or longer.

If you use the address without permission, it may cause your booking to be ended.

If you need an alternative, your school or an international bank account provider may be able to help.

Yes, if the host is available. All extensions must go through London Homestays.

Please contact us as early as possible so we can check availability and arrange payment.

If it’s an emergency, call 999.

For urgent medical advice that is not life-threatening, contact NHS 111.

Your host may be able to help you find local services, but they are not medically trained.

We recommend you arrange appropriate travel/medical insurance for your stay.

You are responsible for any medical or travel-related costs that are not covered by public services or your insurance.

A short adjustment period is normal when you first arrive. Many small issues are cultural differences or misunderstandings and can be resolved by talking things through.

If you have a concern, please raise it early. Where appropriate, speak to your host first, then contact London Homestays.

If a move is needed, we will help where possible, subject to availability and our Terms & Conditions.

You can read the full Terms & Conditions on our website.

Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (UK time).

Phones: 11am to 3pm.

We prefer email or the web form where possible.

WhatsApp: 020 8395 0333 (message-only, office hours; not for emergencies).

Email: info@londonhomestays.com

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