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For Homestay Hosts

What is Homestay?

Homestay is a cultural exchange between a local individual or family (called a host) and a visiting student. The student lives as a guest in your home.

As a host you would generally be required to provide the student with all their basic needs, including their own room and space to study. Although meals are not mandatory, most students would select a homestay with meals supplied. Over the period of their time together the host assists the student to become familiar with the local area and customs in a relaxed and friendly household setting. The student is also encouraged to share with the host information about their home country and culture. This interaction is what makes homestay ideal for students and hosts looking for a unique cultural experience.

How do I apply as a host?

Once you have registered, you can add your homestay informaition via top-right button “Add Homestay“.

After you login with your email and password. You need to fill form step by step. Note we will ask you to provide personal information, such as name and year of birth of the family members living at the homestay. After the application form is submitted, your homestay profile will be published on utohomestay.com. We will contact you for more information afterwards to verify your identity to make sure your information is true and up to date.

What's the homestay market price?

The normal price for your homestay will be higher than the rent price in your area. Setting the same rate for everyone is not a true reflection of the difference among homestays. Instead, you have the rights to set the price. The price could also be updated. A general rule of thumb is to stay competitive in the marketplace.

We recommend you start from the room rent price, add your food cost based on the frequency and other service you may provide to students. You can also check other homestay price in your area on our website.

What do I have to offer students?

  • Provide a separate bedroom for each student in an area, which meets all safety and privacy considerations. This will include:
    • A comfortable bed and bedding
    • Access to a mirror
    • Access to a washroom
    • A desk
    • A lamp
    • Closet
  • Allow the student full use of the household including telephone, television, and living areas, as well as help the student understand appropriate use or time of use;
  • Provide wireless high-speed internet access, either in the student’s bedroom, or in an area of the home suitable for study;
  • Provide laundry facilities:
    • Washer
    • Dryer
  • Cleaning supplies for the student to keep their private living space clean;
  • Invite the student to join family activities whenever possible, and help the student to feel at ease in their home;
  • Assist the student’s adjustment to Canada and encourage the student to learn about Canadian culture, lifestyle, activities, and family life;
  • Orient the student to the city, to their neighborhood, buses, and banks;
  • Respect the rights, privacy, and culture of the student including religious and political beliefs;
  • For minors:
    • Inform the custodian or parents of the student, when the student request to stay overnight at a place different from the Homestay family;
    • Set curfew time for the student. Homestay families determine the curfew, and may consult the custodian of yours to determine the appropriate curfew time.

How long do I have to host a student for?

This is up to you and the student you host. Either side has the option to terminate in trial week, or after trial week.

  • Trial week. The first week is what we call a “trial week”. The host and the student get to know each other, adjust to the everyday life of each other, and try to find a fit. During this week, either side may terminate the homestay agreement. In order to terminate the agreement in the trial week, the host must:
    • Complete booking at utohomestay.com
    • Provide the renter a written termination notice including a check-out date
    • Make sure the check-out date is more than 7 days from the date of notice.
  • After trial week. A general rule of thumb is 30-day notice. For more information, please check the “termination” clause in the contract at: “UTOHOMESTAY CONTRACT”

How close do I have to be to a school?

A thirty-minute journey as an example. Often you may find you actually live closer when you include not just schools and universities, but also private education providers.

What support do I get from Utohomestay?

Our email support is available Monday to Friday during business hours. We always reply our hosts’ inquiries within 1 business day. You may email us at [email protected].

Our FAQ centre is always available! Feel free to find articles here relevant to your interests.

For Students

What is Homestay?

Homestay is a cultural exchange between a local individual or family (called a host) and a visiting student. The student lives as a guest in your home.

As a host you would generally be required to provide the student with all their basic needs, including their own room and space to study. Although meals are not mandatory, most students would select a homestay with meals supplied. Over the period of their time together the host assists the student to become familiar with the local area and customs in a relaxed and friendly household setting. The student is also encouraged to share with the host information about their home country and culture. This interaction is what makes homestay ideal for students and hosts looking for a unique cultural experience.

What does homestay offer?

Homestay hosts should:

  • Provide a separate bedroom for you in an area, which meets all safety and privacy considerations of Building Codes. This will include:
    • A comfortable bed and bedding
    • Access to a mirror
    • Access to a washroom
    • A desk
    • A lamp
    • Closet
  • Allow you full use of the household including telephone, television, and living areas, as well as help you understand appropriate use or time of use;
  • Provide wireless high-speed Internet access, either in the student’s bedroom, or in an area of the home suitable for study;
  • Provide laundry facilities:
    • Washer
    • Dryer
  • Cleaning supplies for you to keep your private living space clean;
  • Invite you to join family activities whenever possible, and help you to feel at ease in their home;
  • Assist your adjustment to Canada and encourage you to learn about Canadian culture, lifestyle, activities, and family life;
  • Orient you to the city, to their neighborhood, buses, and banks;
  • Respect the rights, privacy, and culture of yours including religious and political beliefs;
  • For minors:
    • Inform the custodian or parents of yours, when you request to stay overnight at a place different from the Homestay family;
    • Set curfew time for you. Homestay families determine the curfew, and may consult the custodian of yours to determine the appropriate curfew time.

How do I apply for a homestay?

To search for a homestay on Utohomestay:

  1. On Utohomestay, you can search homestays based on city or school areas.
  2. Enter your destination city or school name in the search box;
  3. When you see the suggested results shown below the search box, click the result of your destination;
  4. Scroll through the homestay listings;
  5. Click on a homestay listing photo to open it. To learn more about it, view more photos, check the details and its features, nearby places, family information, meals, host introduction and homestay regulations;
  6. If you are interested in a homestay, fill your information form on the right sidebar. Also you can sign up as student, we will provide you newest homestay information every weeks.

What are my responsibilities?

As a member of your new home, you have responsibilities too. These are your basic responsibilities:

  • You must communicate with your Homestay family. If you don’t understand something, ask;
  • You should participate with your Homestay family in activities and offer to help with household chores such as meal preparation and clean up, tidying up after yourself in living areas that you share with the Homestay family, etc. If you prepare food in the kitchen be sure to clean up after yourself and leave everything clean;
  • You must keep your room clean and orderly. You should not leave clothes or towels lying around on the floor or under the bed. Ask before bringing food into your room;
  • Clean up after yourself in the bathroom – clean the shower after you use it removing all hair and wipe the sink after you use it. Don’t splash water on the walls or floor;
  • Check with your Homestay family before taking food into your room or before putting anything up on the walls;
  • You must use a phone card for making long distance phone calls – available at many convenience stores;
  • You should supply your own personal toiletries: toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant;
  • Accept that you are now living in Canada and do your best to adapt to Canadian culture;
  • Respect the rights, privacy and the religious and political beliefs of each of the members of your Homestay family;
  • If you are coming home later than expected, be sure to phone your Homestay family as soon as possible to let them know;
  • You should not borrow money from or loan money to Homestay families;
  • Check with your Homestay families about their house rules. Most Homestay families do not allow smoking in their homes. Never smoke in your Homestay without asking first;

Remember: You are not staying in a hotel, and the members of the Homestay families are not your servants. Please treat them with courtesy and respect.

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