If approached with the right attitude (both by the host and the student), staying in homestay accommodation can be a fantastic way to improve your English, learn about British culture, and possibly make new friends. We try very hard to make sure that all of our homestay accommodation is clean, comfortable, and friendly. We inspect all accommodations and interview the hosts before we accept them for our students.

Britain is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic community, and our people have tastes that reflect our long history of immigration. As well as traditional ‘British’ food, you are likely to be offered Italian, Indian, Chinese, and many other different styles of cuisine. And we don’t usually stop everything at 5 o’clock for a cup of tea.

The population of Britain is made up of people of all races, ethnicities and religions, so you may be living with people who don’t look like what you might imagine British people to be.  Some homestay providers are not of English origin but all speak English to a high standard.

It is also possible that your homestay ‘family’ is not similar to typical families in your country: it may be made up of two parents with several children, or it may just be one person living alone, or anything in between.

We try to match students with homestays and find the right homestay for everyone. It is important to book early and to tell us about your requirements e.g. in the areas of diet, smoking, children and pets.

Please Note

• Most British people have pets – usually a cat or a dog
• If you are in a self-catering homestay you will not have so much opportunity to practise your English as you will not be sitting down for a meal with your host(s).
• Students are sometimes required to house-share with students of their own language in the summer. If we place you in the accommodation that already hosts a student of the same nationality we will inform you in advance. You are welcome to cancel your booking if you are not happy with this option. However, this happens very rarely and only if there is no alternative accommodation available.

Please see some advice below on homestay accommodation:

Location

Most homestays are a bus ride away.

Travel Time

The average journey time to/from school is 40 minutes by public transport.

Booking Options

Single room. Shared room (only available to 2 students booking together).

Room

The host family will keep the house and room clean but you should keep your room tidy. Please remember that you are in someone else’s house and that it is not a hotel. The family will treat you like a part of the family and will help you with any questions you might have. If you have a problem with the host family, first tell the host family politely, it might be a misunderstanding. If this doesn’t help, tell us.

Meal Plan

Half board: breakfast and evening meals are included daily (cooking facilities not included, access to these is at the host’s discretion).

Breakfast only: cooking facilities not included, access to these is at the host’s discretion. The board type is most suitable for students who like to eat out in the evening.

Self-catering (single room only): no meals provided, full use of kitchen facilities provided by the homestay. Breakfast is not usually cooked. It is often toast and marmalade, cereal, fruit juice and tea or coffee. Dinner is the main meal of the day and should include meat, fish or poultry unless you have asked in your application form for vegetarian meals. Special dietary requirements are available on request. Please inform the school at the time of the booking.

Laundry

The family will do laundry at least once a week, but if you have a lot, you should go to a launderette. If you have something that needs to be cleaned in a special way, it is best to go to a dry cleaner’s (there is one near the school). You will have to do your own ironing but the family will lend you the iron and the board.

Baths & Showers

Everyone in the family needs to use the bathroom and there is often only one bathroom in the home, you will need to ask your host when is the best time to have your bath or shower. Towels are provided by your family.

Telephone

You can only use the host’s telephone with your host family’s permission. Please remember that the phone belongs to the family, and do not stay on the phone for too long.

Internet Access

Internet access might be available in some homestays. Please ask the host upon arrival. Please note: On our school premises you can enjoy free Internet and wireless connection Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 17:00.

Pets

Please note that the majority of our homestays have a pet. Please let us know in advance if you are allergic.

Keys

Your family will give you a key for the house. You must take very good care of it and you cannot give it to someone else or copy it. If you lose it, tell the family immediately. You might have to pay for a new one.

Visits By A Friend

Please ask your family for permission to have visits from friends, they will probably say ‘yes’ but please do not allow friends to stay longer than your family has agreed, especially no overnight stays.

If you wish to share a house, flat or even a room with other students please contact the following options. We don’t arrange these placements directly.

• www.gumtree.co.uk
  
• www.friday-ad.co.uk

If you wish to rent a flat, please see the following websites:

• www.zoopla.co.uk
• www.rightmove.co.uk
• www.onthemarket.com

Please see some advice below on renting a room or a flat (even if you will be sharing it with your friends):

Holding Deposit

If you are paying a ‘reservation’ or ‘holding’ deposit whilst your application for a tenancy is processed, make sure you get a receipt and a Holding Deposit Agreement from the Agent that sets out the terms of this initial deposit and any circumstances under which you may or may not get your money back.

Rent

Rent is usually paid a calendar month in advance. Because of money laundering regulations, most Agents are only able to accept a maximum of £500 in cash. Subsequent payments are normally made by standing order or the Agent or Landlord. If the payment of rent is late, interest is payable as shown in the Tenancy Agreement.

Deposit & Inventory

A deposit equivalent to approximately 6 weeks rent will normally be required to settle any claim for dilapidations, or any other breach of the tenancy agreement, which may arise, during the tenancy or at the termination of the tenancy. The deposit will be held by the Agents or the Landlord under the terms of a designated Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Make sure that you are present to check the inventory when you move in and out of the property so that you can agree to any amendments. We recommend that you keep a signed copy of both the checking in and checking out inventory. This document will form the basis of any compensations claimed against you by the landlord.

Tenancy Agreement

Before you arrange a date and time to sign the tenancy agreement, make sure that you (all tenants) have seen a copy and read it through, so that everyone understands their obligations. Ask questions to clarify anything that you are unclear on. All tenants must sign the tenancy agreement before they can move in.

Once You Have Signed

Keep all your documents (such as insurance policy, copy of tenancy agreement and inventory) together in a file. Keep this file in a safe place.

Gas- Electricity-Telephone (Services)

It is normally a condition of the Tenancy that the services (i.e. electricity, gas and telephone) are transferred into the Tenant’s name for the duration of the Tenancy. If you require the telephone service you will need to contact British Telecom or service provider direct. In some instances, a deposit may be requested from the relevant Companies.

Council Tax/Water Charges/TV Licence

Tenants will normally be responsible for the payment of the Council Tax for the property they are renting and will pay this directly to the Local Authority. They must also advise the Local Authority when they move in/out of a rented property. Leaflets on Council Tax should be available from the Registration Officer at the Hove Town Hall (opposite the school). A 25% discount is usually available on Council Tax for single occupancy. It is the responsibility of the tenant to pay for a TV License in respect of the property they are renting. In most cases, water charges are now paid for by Tenants in renting a property.

Tenants Contents Insurance

Tenants must insure their own possessions, as this is not the Landlords responsibility. You can also arrange this yourself online by going to www.course-u-can.com or www.endsleigh.co.uk

Safety Certificates

Make sure that you are provided with a Landlord’s Gas Safety certificate and if you are renting a furnished property that the furniture has fire safety labels on it (armchairs, beds, cushions etc) and that a note is made on the inventory to that effect. The Landlord must also make sure that electrical wiring and appliances are safe.

If you wish to book a hotel, hostel or B&B accommodation, please visit the following pages:

• www.expedia.com
• www.hotels.com
• www.visitbrighton.com
• www.hoveguesthouse.co.uk