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Tips on taking students in your home (Edited by MNHQ at the OP's request)

11 replies

bobdylannumber1 · 29/06/2026 22:35

Does anyone take students, would you recommend, we have our DS in collage and were thinking of renting his bedroom, hed be home odd weekends i've been in touch with a company who sort out students all over 18,. Can anyone give me advice. Wasn't sure what category to put this. Thanks

OP posts:
TheresMillionsOfGeoffreys · 29/06/2026 22:37

Stide like in a camper van? It's not that clear what you mean?

bobdylannumber1 · 29/06/2026 22:54

Sorry my title makes no sense it should say students

OP posts:
KnickerlessParsons · 29/06/2026 22:56

We used to host foreign students.
what advice are you looking for?

bobdylannumber1 · 29/06/2026 23:55

Any info, new to this we have only been in contact and will fill oit application in a day or 2 . Did they always work out as in all get on with your family. do you have set times you give them the kitchen they are over 18 and cook for themselves. Dont let the cat out etc

OP posts:
KnickerlessParsons · 30/06/2026 08:30

We treated them like we did our own children. So we gave them a key and allowed them to cook their own food if they preferred. Most ate with us though.
I sis their washing along with ours, or they could do their own if they preferred

At the weekends we sometimes took them to see local sites or just generally out and about with us if that’s what they wanted - most did.
it was just like having an extra adult child in the house and quite food company after our own DCs had left - livened up the conversation a bit!
All bar one (maybe two) stays worked really well for us, but then we enjoy the company of young people. We weren’t exactly in loco parentis but we were always around for support and advice.
And its tax free money, so what’s not to like!

cloudtreecarpet · 19/08/2026 10:52

KnickerlessParsons · 30/06/2026 08:30

We treated them like we did our own children. So we gave them a key and allowed them to cook their own food if they preferred. Most ate with us though.
I sis their washing along with ours, or they could do their own if they preferred

At the weekends we sometimes took them to see local sites or just generally out and about with us if that’s what they wanted - most did.
it was just like having an extra adult child in the house and quite food company after our own DCs had left - livened up the conversation a bit!
All bar one (maybe two) stays worked really well for us, but then we enjoy the company of young people. We weren’t exactly in loco parentis but we were always around for support and advice.
And its tax free money, so what’s not to like!

How much roughly did you make from this?
And how is it tax free?

Thanks

bobdylannumber1 · 23/08/2026 09:06

It has changed now from us taking a young adult to school children, we are taking a spanish girl 15 for the year who will attend my dd's school .any tips on makimg her welcome?
Its €250 a week, and in ireland you are allowed to earn €14k tax free renting a room. We are looking forward to it if a little nervous.

OP posts:
CarrieOakie · 25/08/2026 12:24

cloudtreecarpet · 19/08/2026 10:52

How much roughly did you make from this?
And how is it tax free?

Thanks

Under the rent a room scheme you can make £7500 before you pay tax on any rental. You must live in the same house. Anything over £7500 must have tax payable

so this is in addition to your personal allowance

cloudtreecarpet · 25/08/2026 12:49

CarrieOakie · 25/08/2026 12:24

Under the rent a room scheme you can make £7500 before you pay tax on any rental. You must live in the same house. Anything over £7500 must have tax payable

so this is in addition to your personal allowance

Thanks so much for that.

CarrieOakie · 25/08/2026 13:51

bobdylannumber1 · 23/08/2026 09:06

It has changed now from us taking a young adult to school children, we are taking a spanish girl 15 for the year who will attend my dd's school .any tips on makimg her welcome?
Its €250 a week, and in ireland you are allowed to earn €14k tax free renting a room. We are looking forward to it if a little nervous.

Pizza is the food of teenagers so first night arriving - do pizza for her. Even if its late get her a smile pizza and then if she is hungry she has food in her belly for sleeping after a long day travelling.

Ask if there is any food that she can't or doesn't like - then make dishes around that. My Spanish students loved sweet and sour chicken, hot chocolate and bread dipped in the hot chocolate for breakfast. After a week of cooking, ask what her favourites were from that week and carry them over and make again.

Make sure her mobile phone works in your country and give her the wifi code. I am usually hosting 17 year old now, but ensure that they know to text me when they leave scollege, text me when you get on the bus and text me if you get lost - so make sure they have your phone number. Be clear on what time dinner is and what time you expect them to return home if they are allowed out alone.

Let her know when she can use the bathroom for showering and how long for. if there are 4/5 people all trying to get in the bathroom in the morning then its easier to give a time slot so she feels comfortable and n=knows its her time and what is expected of her.

Ensure if she goes out that she is not drinking alcohol. I have had a student where someone in her group got very drunk in the park as they had managed to buy cider.

My Japanise students always wanted to help so I would get them to lay the table for dinner and help load the dishwasher and clear the table, they are part of the family so them helping is fine and makes them feel part of the family.

I have a book for students to write in about their stay, any advice for the next person staying and what foods they liked - all this is written in their own language.

I always give them a snack to take to college in case they missed breakfast, especially the girls - I usually make croissants from frozen and wrap up.

We watch Netflix with subtitles as its easier for them to follow.

remember they will be far more nervous than you

bobdylannumber1 · 25/08/2026 14:52

That is so heloful thanks so much carrieoakie

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