Why Surrey needs host families
Surrey combines countryside and commuter towns in a way many visitors find appealing. The North Downs, the Surrey Hills and the River Wey are never far away, yet most towns have frequent trains into London, so students can study locally or explore the capital at the weekend.
Students placed in Surrey may attend classes in towns such as Guildford, at the University of Surrey, or travel to schools elsewhere in the South East and London. A home near a railway station or a good bus route makes it much easier for schools to match you with a student.
For families with a spare bedroom, hosting is a sociable way to make use of the space. Breakfast and an evening meal around the family table often become the part of the day students value most, because that is where their English really improves. You decide when you are available and which students you welcome into your home.
Who you could host in Surrey
You choose the ages, lengths of stay and dates that suit your household.
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 Surrey 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 Surrey 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 Surrey: common questions
Ready to host in Surrey?
Registration is free and takes just a few minutes. Language schools can find you as soon as your profile is live.