Compensation Policy
Sometimes we may have to make a change to a homestay booking. This can be for a variety of reasons. In such an event, we will endeavour to minimise any inconvenience caused to our homestay hosts. The policy below explains which circumstances qualify for compensation, and the steps we take to replace your student.
Before Arrival
- If a student cancels their homestay booking prior to arrival, due to accident, bereavement, visa complications, illness, changes to travel restrictions, financial problems etc, we will do our best to replace the student with an alternative booking as soon as possible. In this event, no compensation will be paid, as the student has not yet arrived due to the cancellation being unavoidable.
- Compensation will be offered to a host only when we consider that a financial commitment has been made (e.g. extra food purchased) and therefore we will offer compensation equivalent to a few days to reimburse the host.
Upon Arrival
- If the student is part of a group and fails to arrive as expected without giving due notification, and the host has come to collect their student, three days’ compensation will be paid, unless another student can be placed with the host at short notice. The school policy is that if we have another student to replace the cancelled student then this is the offer that will be made instead of financial compensation.
During Their Stay
- If there are no issues between the student and the host, but the student requests to move out (e.g. to move into their own accommodation, to be nearer to school or to share with a friend), we do request that they pay one week’s notice to their host.
- If the homestay host notifies us that they are no longer able to host the student (e.g. due to a change in circumstances, a clash of personalities or a family emergency) we will move the student as soon as possible, and no compensation will be paid to the host.
- If the student requests to be moved on the grounds that they are made to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome at their host’s home, there has been a disagreement of some kind, and Lewis School agree, or the student feels that they are not receiving the standard of accommodation that both they and the Lewis School would expect, no compensation will be paid to the host.
- If, in the middle of their stay, the student has to leave temporarily at short notice but wishes to keep their possessions in their room with the agreement of their host (e.g. due to a family emergency back home or a problem with their visa), a retainer fee will be paid. See your Payment Calendar for details of this fee.
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