Documents

Home visit

Once you have contacted us with the view to become a homestay provider, one of our Accommodation Team will arrange a home visit. During this visit they will need to see the room and the common areas of the house. We will fill out a questionnaire with you that helps us find out more about  you and your family. During a home visit we will discuss details and requirements of hosting international students and will aim to answer all your questions and concerns.  The questionnaire will be filled using our laptop, so we may need your wifi to access and complete the form.

Requirements

The following documents are required from homestay providers  before they can become an approved host  for Languages United. Failure to provide these documents may result in breaking the law and subsequently not being able to host students.

1. Identification

We need to see three different documents to confirm your identity and address. Please note:

• One document must have your photo.

• At least one document must have your current address.

• We can only accept original documents that are provided in person (scanned copies or photos are not acceptable).

• Documents must still be valid e.g. passport, or must have been issued in the last three months e.g. bank statement or utility bill.

One document from Group 1, e.g. Passport, Photo Driving Licence.

Two further documents from either Group 1, or Group 2a, or 2b, e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate, driving licence without photo, bank statement, credit card statement, Council Tax bill, utility bill.

Please see DBS Identity Checking  for a full list of document options.

2. Declaration 

This legally binding, internal document needs to be signed and dated by all family members over 18. This relates to your suitability to provide accommodation for under 18s. 

3. Gas Certificate

The Gas Safety Regulations 1988 state that you must ensure all your  gas appliances are safe. Please send us a copy of your Gas Safety Certificate (sometimes known as Landlord / Homeowner Gas Safety Certificate) which you can obtain through an inspection and which must not be more than 1 year old. A boiler service record is not sufficient.

4. DBS 

If you are hosting under 18s you are required to have an enhanced, child workforce DBS check for yourself and everyone in your household.  

If you are hosting adults only, you are required to have a basic DBS check for yourself and everyone in the house.

It is one single DBS for home based position that covers all the adults and the address.

Please see our DBS Application Advice.

5. Risk Assessment Form

In order to minimise risks within your home we request that you fill out a risk assessment form.  This is in the interest of your students as well as family members residing at your address. 

6. Two References

You are asked to complete the Homestay Reference Contact Details form the with names and contact details of two referees (employer, neighbour, friend, etc, but not family members).
Your referees will be sent a form regarding your suitability to work with children or young people. A follow-up phone call may be made for confirmation and clarification.

7. Safeguarding Training

We require that homestay providers undertake a free, online safeguarding course.   To complete a basic level safeguarding training follow these instructions:

 Basic Safeguarding Training. 

8. Right to Work in the UK

We require that homestay providers who do not hold a UK or Irish passport provide us with the evidence of their right to live and work in the UK by sharing a share code.  Please go to https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work/get-a-share-code-online