.... for Homestay providers

INFORMATION FOR HOMESTAY PROVIDERS

HOW TO JOIN OUR HOMESTAY PROVIDERS:

If you are interested in becoming a homestay provider:

You should read the information below and
Complete the Homestay Provider Application Form
If your application is successful you will be added to our list of new homestay providers.
Our accommodation officer will then contact you to arrange an initial meeting to discuss the requirements of homestay, go through the homestay checklist, talk to you about remuneration and provide you with your agreement which you can sign.
After this we will visit your accommodation in person prior to sending the first student to your home and conduct
Spot check visits to check that both yourself and the student/s we place are happy with the arrangement.

WHAT WE ASK OF OUR HOMESTAY HOSTS:

The homestay families must provide students with a comfortable living environment throughout their stay and must treat the student as a full member of the household, eating together and sharing the common living areas.

Students in homestay must have access to:

A bedroom and common areas in a proper state of cleanliness and repair.
Adequate heating and lighting.
A sufficiently spacious bedroom with natural light, equipped with an adequately sized bed.
Adequate hanging and drawer space for clothes.
Privacy from members of the opposite sex.
A table for private study (where appropriate).
Sufficient washing facilities and access to a bathroom, with baths or showers available daily.
An adequate supply of duvets or blankets.

There must be agreement between elh and the host of satisfactory arrangements for cleaning and laundry:

Arrangements for regular cleaning of homestays.
Arrangements for weekly cleaning of common areas, including bathrooms and kitchens in residential accommodation.
Regular cleaning of fridges.
Provision of cleaning materials where students are responsible for cleaning.
A weekly laundry service or clearly explained laundry arrangements.
A change of towels and bed linen each week.

Host must agree that the elh accommodation officer can inspects the accommodation (for safety and suitability) before placing the first student in their home and at least every two years after that.
The accommodation officer will need to see:

Fire risk assessments.
Gas Safe certificates renewed annually.
Checks recorded over the last 3 years, (if possible).
Enhanced DBS checks for all adults living in the home (recommended when hosting adult Elh students but essential if hosting under 18s)

When you apply to join our homestay providers list we would like you to send us an email with a few photos of the room/s you have available for students and the following information about your home:

type of accommodation eg detached, semi., bungalow etc
location area in Milton Keynes eg Oldbrook, Loughton etc
approximate time and cost of travel between your home and the CentreMK
number of rooms and description eg double bedroom with ensuite, single bedroom with shared family bathroom etc
availability eg number of rooms and dates you can and/or can't do per year
family members and pets eg husband, daughter, 2 dogs etc

Additionally the homestay host must:

provide students with meals that offer a well-balanced diet, taking into account any reasonable dietary requirements students may have.
accommodate no more than four students at one time.
not accommodate more than one student with the same language, unless we specifically request this in writing.
accommodate no more than two students in a shared bedroom, unless we specifically request this in writing.
speak English at all times when the student in present in the homestay home.
ensure that there is an adult available to receive students on first arrival..