Canadian families are kind, hospitable, and do not need to be reminded of their responsibilities. However, we have set the following guidelines for all host families to adhere to, as we set guidelines for the student or visitor, in order to make the best homestay experience possible.
The homestay family is required to avoid treating the student or visitor as a tenant by making the student or visitor feel welcome. The host family must be tolerant of the student’s foreign customs and habits. Remember to always be understanding, and have patience with the student or visitor.
During the student or visitor stay, the host family is required to show the student or visitor how to get to places of interest such as schools, community centres and attractions and how to use public transportation.
The student must be provided with a nice clean private room with basic furniture such as:
- Comfortable bed (including linen, duvet cover, blanket and two pillows)
- Night table, lamp, and alarm clock/radio
- Work desk with chair and desk lamp with sufficient lighting
- Closet and mirror
Every day the host family must provide nutritious meals, mostly home made.
The meals, especially dinner, should be served in a family gathering and the student or visitor must feel welcome to the table at all times. Healthy snacks such as yogurt, fresh fruits, milk, juice, tea/coffee etc. need to be accessible to the student or visitor. No alcohol is to be offered to the student or visitor.
Only one student or visitor is allowed per room, unless there is a special request by the homestay applicant for shared accommodation.
The host family must make sure that the student has a quiet environment in order to study and succeed in school, as well as quiet time to sleep and rest.
The host family must speak English with, and while in the presence of, the student or visitor.
Under no circumstances is the host family to accept or request any favours such as house cleaning, shopping, moving or lifting heavy items, gardening, baby sitting, etc…
The host family is not allowed to lend any type of vehicle to the student or visitor.
As you should have insurance for passengers in your car, you should also have sufficient home and liability insurance in place. Host families must have a minimum of one million dollar home liability insurance. Please review your home insurance policy or consult with your insurance provider for details. VHA–Vancouver Homestay Agency Inc does not assume any responsibilities for any injuries suffered by the student or visitor while in the host family's care.
If any physical or verbal abuse occurs, the student or visitor will be removed from the home immediately. The incident will be reported to the police, and legal action taken. (Applies to both the host family and
student/visitor)
If the host family has any concerns that they cannot discuss directly with the student or visitor, please contact your VHA Representative as soon as possible.
Homestay families must never keep the student or visitor waiting outside the home. To avoid such a situation a spare key can be helpful.
Homestay minors must not be left at home without homestay provider supervision.
If a homestay student or visitor accompanies their host family on holidays, outings, or trips, the host family must pay for accommodation and food. The student or visitor must pay for his or her own travel arrangements, admission tickets, or personal expenses. If the student or visitor will not join the host family, he or she must not be left alone. Alternate homestay arrangements must be made, paid for by the host family, and approved by a VHA representative.
An increasing number of international students visiting Canada have disabilities such as blindness or being in a wheelchair, please let us know in your application if you or your family is capable of hosting a student with any type of disability.
Homestay families should not allow students or visitors to call long distance or dial through the Internet via a modem with a long distance ISP (Internet service provider). Students and visitors are advised to purchase their own long distance pre-paid card or to make collect calls. VHA will not assume any responsibility regarding long distance charges.
The host family should do the laundry for students, or familiarize them with the use of washer and dryer, so they can do their own laundry.
Upon a successful inspection by VHA representative of the homestay house, the host family applicant must provide a one-time criminal record check for our files. You can obtain this from your nearest police station.
Host family must explain to the student or visitor how to evacuate the home in case of an emergency. The home must have functioning fire smoke detectors on every floor.
All members of the family must be willing to accept and host a student or traveling youth. Please make sure that all members of your family agree and are not just going along with the idea of hosting a student. It is such a wonderful experience, but the student must be welcomed by everyone in your household, including your pet!
While the student can be invited to attend religious services, the family should not apply any pressure to do so. The family should learn about the student's beliefs and culture, and respect them. The family should always be willing to direct the student to his or hers religion's place of worship if required. A host family must always respect the religious beliefs of the student.
VHA-Vancouver Homestay Agency reserves the right to move the student for any reason. The host family must immediately refund the balance of the unused period of time. Please note, moving a student does not mean the termination of the homestay provider and VHA agreement.
Should a host family like to terminate a homestay occupancy, reservation or provider agreement, the host family must give VHA two weeks to one month notice to make alternate homestay arrangements. Some exceptions may apply.
Termination of the homestay provider agreement can happen in case of a breach of the homestay agreement or the host family's guidelines and responsibilities.
VHA neither guarantees nor promises occupancy to the host family. VHA placement is based on a request and booking basis.
VHA does not allow any discrimination against students.
As a user of this website and our company services, and as a potential host family, you must agree to our privacy policy and if you receive any information or material from us regarding homestay placement, the information and materials provided to you must stay confidential and only be used for the purpose of making a decision regarding accepting or rejecting a homestay offer. Here is our privacy policy
