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Requirements of a Homestay
If you are going to start a homestay or is the owner of the same then you must be aware of the requirements of homestay. From basic to premium services and amenities, you must be able to provide every possible facility to your customer to have your homestay rating in the top. In this article, we will be discussing about the requirements of a homestay and how can you achieve them.
What are the Requirements of a Homestay?
In this section, we will be discussing about the requirements of starting a homestay. There can be a number of requirements from general, home, financial, documentation and many more. We will go step by step into different categories to make you understand much better.
1. Homestay requirements:
your homestay property is an important aspect which you will be providing to your guests. To attract more visitors and to have the best ratings, you are not only required to provide just a room, bathroom and kitchen but many other things as well.
From providing a well furnished and cleaned room, this is your duty to provide bathroom and kitchen as well whether shared or not. In the amenities, you are obliged to provide towels, bed linen, slippers, toleteries, oven, microwave, flat screen TV and some other basic items. (You can skip any of these or add anything in this list depending on your requirement.)
2. Basic requirements as a Host Family:
if you are family starting out this business then you have some additional requirements and responsibilities as well. From providing timely meals to the basic services and facilities, you are also required to provide the required support and guidance along with the privacy and a cleaned atmosphere as well.
3. Documentation requirements:
in the process of applying for a homestay, you are required to provide some documents, certificates and proofs to get a YES from the concerned body. The list of the documents must include the proofs of your identification like an Aadhar card, PAN card, proof of the address, bank and GST details, ownership of the property, utility bills including gas, water and electricity, among some other documents.
4. Financial requirements:
money is important and needed in every step of starting this business from the scratch. You need the financial requirement to pay monthly bills in the form of hosting fee, utility costs (if not included in the hosting fees), repairing and renovation costs of the homestay to make it more royal along with some other financial requirements.
5. Additional requirements:
to make everything better and in position, it is a must to make comfortable and full communication with your guests. Communication is required not only to fulfill the demands of the next person but to know and understand them completely.
Other than this, try to understand each other’s culture and tradition to make things smooth. Make and adhere to the policies and guidelines of the homestay and let your guests know about them as well.
The Conclusion!
Other than the above requirements, there can also be some other in the list as well depending on the location, homestay owner and the preferences. Remember and keep this thing in your mind to make a proper and thorough research at the very beginning of starting the homestay business.
Other than the research, talk to the people and take reviews and testimonials to get a better understanding and a life experience of all the things. Following are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) relating the topic which you can check out.
General FAQs
1. Q: What is a homestay?
A: A homestay is a type of accommodation where the people live with a local family, commonly known as the host, explore and enjoy the culture and tradition of a specific place and/ or location.
2. Q: Who can be a homestay host?
A: A person who is 25+ years old, permanent resident of the place and has a clean criminal record can be the host of a homestay.
3. Q: What are the benefits of hosting a homestay?
A: Supplemental income, cultural exchange, and enriching relationships are some of the benefits of hosting a homestay.
Host Family Requirements
1. Q: What is the minimum age requirement for homestay hosts?
A: Atleast 25 years old.
2. Q: Do I need to be the permanent citizen of a country?
A: Yes, you are required to be a permanent resident of a country.
3. Q: What type of background check is required?
A: A clean criminal record check is required.
Home Requirements
1. Q: What type of accommodation is required?
A: A private bedroom with furniture, linen, bathroom and kitchen is required.
2. Q: Do I need to provide meals?
A: Optional, but recommended for full/half board.
3. Q: What amenities should I provide?
A: WiFi, utilities, access to kitchen and bathroom, laundry, toleteries, towels and bed linen are some of the basic amenities you must provide.
Student Requirements
1. Q: Who is eligible for homestay?
A: International students aged 16-60 are eligible for homestay.
2. Q: What language proficiency is required?
A: Basic English language skills is a must to learn.
3. Q: What documents do students need?
A: Passport, study permit, health insurance, and academic documents are some of the basic documents you must provide.
Application Process
1. Q: How do I apply to become a homestay host?
A: Contact a reputable municipality or concerned body, fill in the application form, pay the required fee and wait for the validation from the body.
2. Q: What documents do I need to provide?
A: Proof of ownership, home insurance, utility bills, identification proof, GST and bank details along with the criminal record check are some of the important documents you must provide.
3. Q: How long does the application process take?
A: It varies but typically takes up to 2-4 weeks.
Financial Requirements
1. Q: How much can I earn as a homestay host?
A: Varies by provider and/ or location.
2. Q: What expenses am I responsible for?
A: Utility costs, potential renovations and repairs are some of the expenses that you are required to pay.
Additional FAQs
1. Q: Can I have pets?
A: Yes, but inform your homestay provider or research about the homestay.
2. Q: Can I smoke in my home?
A: No, homestays are the smoke-free zones and hence you cannot smoke.
3. Q: How long can students stay?
A: Varies but typically takes up to 1-12 months.
