Is Halifax a practical place to host students who study elsewhere?

Yes, especially for homes near the station or on good bus routes. Direct trains run to Leeds, Bradford and Manchester.

How much does it cost Halifax families to register?

Nothing. HostFamily.uk is free for host families, with no subscription or placement fees.

Can I host if I live in Hebden Bridge or Brighouse?

Yes. Both are in Calderdale and have their own railway stations, so schools can consider homes there when they search by location.

What will students find to do around Halifax?

The Piece Hall, Shibden Hall, moorland walks and trips to Hebden Bridge and Haworth are all popular, and Leeds and Manchester are easy to visit by train.

Become a Host Family in Halifax

Why Halifax needs host families

The restored Piece Hall, with its open courtyard of independent shops and cafes, is the centrepiece of Halifax, and the former mills of Dean Clough now house galleries and businesses. Moorland walks and Calder Valley towns like Hebden Bridge are close by, giving students a very different view of England from the big cities.

Halifax does not have the student population of Leeds or Manchester, but it sits on the railway between them. That makes it a sensible base for students studying in either city who would like a calmer place to live, and for short programmes that explore Yorkshire.

Hosting brings a student into everyday family life and its routines, which is where much of their real English practice happens. You can welcome students for short or longer stays, decide when your room is available and choose the placements that suit your household.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Halifax

Who you could host in Halifax

You choose the ages, lengths of stay and dates that suit your household.

Students commuting to the cities

Adults studying in Leeds or Manchester sometimes choose a quieter homestay in Halifax, with a direct train into class each day.

Yorkshire study tours

Short programmes that combine English with trips around the Pennines, Bronte country and Yorkshire's cities may need families for a week or two.

Longer-term learners

Students staying for a term or more may value the routine and support of a settled family home in a smaller, friendly town.

Where you could host

Schools look for homes within easy reach of their classes. These are some of the areas in and around Halifax.

Halifax town centre

Skircoat Green

Savile Park

King Cross

Illingworth

Northowram

Sowerby Bridge

Elland

Brighouse

Hebden Bridge

How it works

1. Register for free

Create your host profile in a few minutes. There are no fees or subscriptions.

2. Get found by schools

Language schools that place students in and around Halifax search for hosts by location, rooms and availability.

3. Welcome your student

A school contacts you directly to arrange a placement. You decide which students you accept.

Earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free

Under the government's Rent a Room scheme, income from hosting students in your Halifax home is tax-free up to £7,500 a year.

Applies whether you own or rent (with your landlord's permission)
Claim it with a single tick box on your tax return

General guidance only. Read more on GOV.UK

Hosting in Halifax: common questions

Ready to host in Halifax?

Registration is free and takes just a few minutes. Language schools can find you as soon as your profile is live.

Host families are also needed near Halifax