Become a Homestay Host
Thank you for your interest in becoming a homestay host.
What kind of people are you looking for?
• People who live within 30 minutes of Durham.
• People who enjoy talking to people from other cultures.
• People who live within 30 minutes of Durham.
• People who enjoy talking to people from other cultures.
Will I have to look after children?
No, all our students are 18 or over.
No, all our students are 18 or over.
How long will they stay?
Most students stay for about a month.
Most students stay for about a month.
When will they come?
Although we offer classes throughout the year, the majority of our students come between April and August.
Although we offer classes throughout the year, the majority of our students come between April and August.
Do the meals need to be special?
No, you don’t need to prepare anything special. You can give them the same food as you would usually have.
No, you don’t need to prepare anything special. You can give them the same food as you would usually have.
Will I have to entertain them?
No, there is no obligation to entertain the students. Students that do not go on the school’s trips, would be expected to arrange their own.
No, there is no obligation to entertain the students. Students that do not go on the school’s trips, would be expected to arrange their own.
How much will I be paid?
(You are currently entitled to earn £7,500 per year from hosting students without incurring any tax liability. For more information visit: www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a-room-scheme)
(You are currently entitled to earn £7,500 per year from hosting students without incurring any tax liability. For more information visit: www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a-room-scheme)
| Weekly Amount | Extra Days | |
| Breakfast | £140 | £20 |
| Breakfast & Dinner | £180 | £26 |
What do I need to provide?
• A clean, comfortable, well-lit room, with sufficient heating and storage.
• Use of a table or desk.
• A little of your time in the evening for a chat.
• Breakfast and (if required) dinner.
• A key or access to your home at any time.
• Bed linen and towels.
• A clean, comfortable, well-lit room, with sufficient heating and storage.
• Use of a table or desk.
• A little of your time in the evening for a chat.
• Breakfast and (if required) dinner.
• A key or access to your home at any time.
• Bed linen and towels.
What will I need to do before I can take students?
• Homestay hosts providing accommodation for our students are classified as landlords under the Gas Safety Regulation 1998. This means you will need a Gas Safety Certificate to show that your gas appliances are safe and that they have been checked by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Certificates cost about £50 and are valid for one year.
• Provide two references. The references will need to be from someone who has known you for two years or more and should not be a family member.
• All homestay hosts are required to have a Fire Risk Assessment in place. We can help you do this.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Certificates (DBS) must be obtained for each individual who is over 18 years old and who lives in the home or will stay there overnight whilst you are hosting students. Certificates cost £23 per person and should be renewed every 5 years.
• Homestay hosts providing accommodation for our students are classified as landlords under the Gas Safety Regulation 1998. This means you will need a Gas Safety Certificate to show that your gas appliances are safe and that they have been checked by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Certificates cost about £50 and are valid for one year.
• Provide two references. The references will need to be from someone who has known you for two years or more and should not be a family member.
• All homestay hosts are required to have a Fire Risk Assessment in place. We can help you do this.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Certificates (DBS) must be obtained for each individual who is over 18 years old and who lives in the home or will stay there overnight whilst you are hosting students. Certificates cost £23 per person and should be renewed every 5 years.
Become a
Homestay Host
Homestay Host
Thank you for your interest in becoming a homestay host.
What kind of people are you looking for?
• People who live within 30 minutes of Durham.
• People who enjoy talking to people from other cultures.
• People who live within 30 minutes of Durham.
• People who enjoy talking to people from other cultures.
Will I have to look after children?
No, all our students are 18 or over.
No, all our students are 18 or over.
How long will they stay?
Most students stay for about a month.
Most students stay for about a month.
When will they come?
Although we offer classes throughout the year, the majority of our students come between April and August.
Although we offer classes throughout the year, the majority of our students come between April and August.
Do the meals need to be special?
No, you don’t need to prepare anything special. You can give them the same food as you would usually have.
No, you don’t need to prepare anything special. You can give them the same food as you would usually have.
Will I have to entertain them?
No, there is no obligation to entertain the students. Students that do not go on the school’s trips, would be expected to arrange their own.
No, there is no obligation to entertain the students. Students that do not go on the school’s trips, would be expected to arrange their own.
How much will I be paid?
(You are currently entitled to earn £7,500 per year from hosting students without incurring any tax liability. For more information visit: www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a-room-scheme)
(You are currently entitled to earn £7,500 per year from hosting students without incurring any tax liability. For more information visit: www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a-room-scheme)
| Weekly Amount | Extra Days | |
| Breakfast | £140 | £20 |
| Breakfast & Dinner | £180 | £26 |
What do I need to provide?
• A clean, comfortable, well-lit room, with sufficient heating and storage.
• Use of a table or desk.
• A little of your time in the evening for a chat.
• Breakfast and (if required) dinner.
• A key or access to your home at any time.
• Bed linen and towels.
• A clean, comfortable, well-lit room, with sufficient heating and storage.
• Use of a table or desk.
• A little of your time in the evening for a chat.
• Breakfast and (if required) dinner.
• A key or access to your home at any time.
• Bed linen and towels.
What will I need to do before I can take students?
• Homestay hosts providing accommodation for our students are classified as landlords under the Gas Safety Regulation 1998. This means you will need a Gas Safety Certificate to show that your gas appliances are safe and that they have been checked by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Certificates cost about £50 and are valid for one year.
• Provide two references. The references will need to be from someone who has known you for two years or more and should not be a family member.
• All homestay hosts are required to have a Fire Risk Assessment in place. We can help you do this.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Certificates (DBS) must be obtained for each individual who is over 18 years old and who lives in the home or will stay there overnight whilst you are hosting students. Certificates cost £23 per person and should be renewed every 5 years.
• Homestay hosts providing accommodation for our students are classified as landlords under the Gas Safety Regulation 1998. This means you will need a Gas Safety Certificate to show that your gas appliances are safe and that they have been checked by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Certificates cost about £50 and are valid for one year.
• Provide two references. The references will need to be from someone who has known you for two years or more and should not be a family member.
• All homestay hosts are required to have a Fire Risk Assessment in place. We can help you do this.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Certificates (DBS) must be obtained for each individual who is over 18 years old and who lives in the home or will stay there overnight whilst you are hosting students. Certificates cost £23 per person and should be renewed every 5 years.
