Home stay Info for Students and Hosts

Information regarding home stays in New Zealand.
Topic Recommendations
 Rent  NZ$200 - NZ$220 per week
What the rent covers A single room accommodation with 3 meals per day (including at least one cooked meal), seven days a week.
Method of payment Two weeks in advance - cash, cheque or automatic payment. Each payment recorded in a book and signed by both parties. Two weeks notice for terminating homestay arrangement.

Bedroom

Basic furniture to include bed, study table, chair, wardrobe and/or cupboard. Student is entitled to study and uninterrupted study time. Student is responsible for tidiness of the room, including making own bed.

Use of other areas of the house

Student is responsible for cleaning up after himself/herself. Showering is usually done everyday. It is common to shower for 5 minutes or less.

Smoking policy  No smoking inside the house.
Drug and alcohol policy
 No drugs and alcohol permitted.
Pets

No pets allowed unless consented by host family.

Phone -Time limit

No more than 10 minutes per call.

Phone bill

Free local calls. Toll calls to be recorded in a book. Tolls and GST to be paid according to each bill. Collect toll calls not to be accepted unless agreed to by the student.

Taking messages

To work both ways

Visitors / Family members and friends of the student

Allow visitors in student's own room or designated area. Allow refreshment, i.e. tea or coffee. Restrict noise level. Restrict length of visit unless host family is away.  No overnight visitor unless consented by host family.

Parties

No parties unless consented by host family.

Household chores

It is customary in New Zealand that people who stay in your home help with simple chores like setting the table, drying the dishes, making their beds etc. Host supplies a laundry basket.  The Host does washing for student once a week.  The Student does their own ironing if necessary.

Meals

Student prepares own breakfast and lunch as provided by host family. Student knows the meal time and will inform at least one hour beforehand if late or not eating. Student helps with washing and drying dishesStudent prepares own meals when host family is away.

Transport

Student is responsible for own transport unless by arrangement with host family.

Coming home late/Going away for holidays

Inform host family in advance. If away for a week or more, pay 50% of homestay fee.

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