We are looking for new host families with spare rooms in and around Wanstead (E11) to host our international students. Becoming a host family for students is a safe and fun way to make a little bit of extra income.
Hosting Students in Wanstead
As a host family, your role is to provide a warm welcome accommodation, and (usually) meals for your guest. Hosts will ensure that their students have a lovely stay in the city. They will also help their guest improve their language skills and experience London life and culture.
Why Wanstead
Why do international students like Wanstead as a zone 4 homestay location?
- Demographic
The demographic in Wanstead has changed in recent years. Last year the Sunday Times listed it as one of London’s most desirable areas in their piece on Best Places to Live. Wanstead was chosen for its community spirit, schools, transport links, bars, cafés and restaurants. It was ranked top alongside other areas: Clapton, Fulham, Furzedown, Herne Hill, King’s Cross, Notting Hill, Richmond and Tufnell Park.
In recent years, lots of younger families have moved to Wanstead. They have come from very trendy areas in East London like Shoreditch, Dalston and Hackney. The area has a young feel therefore, a novelty for what was traditionally a suburban zone 4 location. This newer demographic has also led to the opening of a plethora of new cafés, bars and restaurants. The aim is to appeal to the newer East London crowd.
- Transport
The area offers access to Wanstead underground/central line station (zone 4) with short journey times into central London, in particular to Holborn (Bloomsbury). This is where many of London’s language schools are based. Wanstead to Holborn is approximately 30 minutes; it is a direct journey with no changes required and trains are regular (usually every 2-4 minutes).
- “Home from Home” experience
Wanstead has many larger family homes offering international students the potential of a real “home from home” homestay experience.
- Safety
Wanstead is known as one of London’s “safer” areas. It has a more suburban feel than other nearby areas on the central line, and so many of our overseas students report feeling safe here.
Group Homestays
Wanstead is one of our most popular areas for group homestays. We place many student groups in and around this area, and hence always have a need for new hosts here.
The student groups are usually accompanied by group leaders who request that their students are clustered in the same area. Other neighbouring areas that are in demand for group homestays are Woodford, South Wanstead, Redbridge, Gants Hill.
How to Become a Host Family
If you live in Wanstead, and you think you’d like to become a host family, then the first step is to fill out our online application form. We’ll require details from you such as your name, address, email, details of the accommodation etc. We have specific catchment areas when taking on hew homestay hosts. One of the most important factors in deciding if you are in or out of our catchment is your proximity to the nearest station(s).
If your application is in our catchment area, our team will be in touch to arrange a home visit. Our inspectors are friendly and will just need to do some checks that the home is suitable for a student. They will take some photos during their visit too – so we can make a lovely profile to send to students looking for somewhere to stay. During this visit, you can discuss the different kinds of catering options as well as the flexibility you can offer.
If your homestay is approved, we’ll then send you a few extra forms to fill out. You’ll begin receiving enquiries from our team about students looking to pair up with you for their stay in London. You can then accept and decline the enquiries.
Questions – We can help!
If you have any questions about hosting students, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Our offices are open Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm and our friendly team will be happy to hear from you!
