General Requirements

Please provide students with the following.

Comfortable bed
Wardrobe and plenty of storage
Desk, chair and lamp
Natural light
Linen and towels
Internet access

Food

Half board students will require breakfast and dinner every day and all meals at the weekend. If your student attends a weekend trip, please offer them a packed lunch. Full board students will require the same with a packed lunch during the week as well.

Please ensure you offer your student a healthy and balanced diet.

Some students will have special dietary requirements, for example many Muslim students will not eat pork, and we would encourage you to discuss this with your student and perhaps to do your first food shop with them. Please feel free to contact us if you need any clarification about dietary requirements.

What Should I Include in Packed Lunches?

We ask you to include: a roll/sandwich/wrap made with fresh bread, meat/cheese and salad (fillings will depend on your student’s dietary requirements or preferences), a drink, a piece of fruit, a packet of crisps and a sweet treat – enough to keep busy students going! However, do always check with your students and even encourage them to make their own if they are a little fussy!

Heating

Please remember that students coming from warmer climates may find Britain very cold. If your student complains of the cold, please be sympathetic and offer them extra blankets or turn the heating up a few degrees. You may need to explain to your student the economics of heating in the house, given the climate in the UK, to avoid confusion since it may be very different in their country.

Bathroom

Daily showers or baths for students are usual and we would encourage you to discuss bathroom usage with your student especially if there are multiple occupants in the household. You may also need to explain the use of water meters in the UK.

Laundry

We ask that hosts offer a reasonable and regular laundry service. This may be something to discuss with your student at the beginning of their stay. Drying and ironing facilities should be explained and made available to the student. The student’s bed linen and towels should be changed at least once a week.

Cleaning (Student’s Bedroom)

Students are informed that they are required to keep their room clean and tidy. Please provide access to a vacuum cleaner and dusters etc to facilitate this. If you plan to clean the student’s room yourself during their stay, please let them know in advance.

Keys

Adult students require their own front door key to allow free access but are still expected to keep you informed about their movements. In the unusual event of a student abusing this privilege, please contact the school immediately.

Students on junior programmes should not be given a key. Instead, a responsible adult should be present to see their student off in the morning and welcome them home at the end of the day (this is a requirement of the British Council).

Fire & Gas Safety

You are required by law to ensure you have a Gas Safety certificate which is renewed annually. Click here for an example. For more information, visit the Gas Safe website.

Anyone having paying guests is required by law to provide an annual fire risk assessment. Click here to go to our fire risk assessment form.

English Language

One of the main reasons students choose homestay accommodation is the chance to practise English with their hosts. It is therefore a requirement that English is the language of communication when the student is present.