Terms of service

Version 1.0, July 2026

1. What UK Homestays is

UK Homestays introduces guests to independent host families and handles matching, verification and payment. Your homestay agreement is between you and the host: we are not the accommodation provider, and hosts are not our employees or agents. We remain your point of contact before, during and after the stay.

2. Guests

Guests must be 18 or over at the date of arrival. The price shown on a listing is the total weekly price. It includes our service margin, and there are no additional booking fees at payment. A booking exists once we have confirmed the match and your payment has cleared. Until then, an enquiry commits you to nothing.

3. Payment protection

You pay UK Homestays, not the host. We hold your payment and do not release the host's share until 48 hours after your check-in. If the home is materially not what the listing described, tell us within those 48 hours: we will move you to a suitable alternative host or refund the unused part of your stay, at your choice. After 48 hours, the booking is treated as accepted and the host is paid.

4. Cancellation

Cancellation terms are stated before you pay. Unless a listing says otherwise: cancel 14 or more days before arrival for a full refund; cancel within 14 days of arrival and the first two weeks of the stay are payable; no-shows are treated as cancellation on arrival day. If a host cancels before arrival, you receive a full refund or a replacement host, whichever you choose, and we will say sorry properly.

5. Hosts

Hosts set their own weekly rate and receive it in full; our margin is added on top in the displayed price. Hosts must keep their listing accurate, tell us about material changes to the household or property, and honour confirmed bookings. Verification badges describe the checks we have completed and nothing more. The badge definitions at homestaysuk.com/verification form part of these terms. Hosts are responsible for their own tax affairs (most hosts can use the UK Rent-a-Room allowance; we don't give tax advice) and for holding appropriate home insurance.

6. Conduct

Homestay is someone's home. Guests and hosts agree to treat each other with respect, to raise problems with us early, and not to move a confirmed or prospective booking off-platform to avoid our margin. If we introduce you, bookings between you within 12 months go through UK Homestays. We may remove listings or decline guests at our discretion.

7. Liability

We verify listings as described by their badge, but we do not own, inspect continuously, or control hosts' homes, and we are not liable for the acts or omissions of hosts or guests. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law. Our total liability to you is limited to the amounts you have paid us for the booking concerned.

8. The legal bits

These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales. If we update them, the version in force when you booked applies to that booking. UK Homestays is a trading name of the London Homestays group. Contact: hello@homestaysuk.com.