A handbook to home accommodation.

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2. Values & principles
Pricing
Contents of Homestay
Homestay)accommodation
Host family
Guests
Costs
Additional services
General contents
Breakfast
Cyclist)friendly Homestay)homes
Motorcyclist)friendly Homestay)homes
Contents
This handbook has been compiled for a Homestay project
funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland.
Background

3. What is Homestay accommodation?
Benefits of Homestay
Could I host Homestay guests?
Homestay is accommodation provided occasionally by private people. Homestay accommodation is
located in the host’s own home or in the immediate surroundings of it, and it has no significant economic
purpose, although it is provided for a fee. For the guest, homestay, with the presence of the host family, is
a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the local everyday life and way of life.
Homestay activities enhance the attractiveness of an area and provide accommodation services even
areas not yet covered by other accommodation services, or for areas the services of which are not suit
for all travellers. As a consequence, increased attractiveness of an area adds to the demand for local products
and existing services. Above all, the goal of Homestay is to have satisfied guests who may provide their hosts
with new friendships and opportunities for internationalisation in their own homes.
It is worth a try! According to the experiences of Homestay hosts, experiences of both hosts and quests have
been good. In addition, Homestay is a very easy process. The most important thing is that each host or hostess
is who s/he really is, because that is what the guests want. This handbook includes the basic principles and
recommendations of Homestay. After reading them, you can consider whether you would be willing to try
homestay yourself too.
Background

4. Homestay-accommodation
Values & principles
The host family is either present or available throughout
the entire stay.
Homes are welcoming, hospitable and home-like, and
the privacy of guests has been taken into account.
Homes prefer the use of local products and raw materials
as well as organic products in their serving of food.
Homes are also able to recommend their guests other
local tourist services and resorts.
Local cultures and traditions are emphasised as the
homes market and provide different services.
Homes take the guests’pre-announced special dietary
requirements and allergies into account.
Homes are non-smoking (no smoking indoors).
Homes respect the principles of sustainable develop-
ment.

5. Values & principles
Host family
The host family is either present or available throughout the entire
stay.
The host family respects the guest.
The accommodation provided by the host family coincides with
the recommendations of the Homestay concept as regards the
quality of basic services provided.
The host family defines the rules for using common areas and
outdoor areas and any possible additional services.
The host family verifies the identity of the guest as s/he arrives.
If needed, the host family provides assistance for any passing
tourists, although they would not be accommodated by the host.
The host family has the right to determine the price of
accommodation offered.
The host family is responsible for paying taxes for the income
received through Homestay.
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6. The host family is not allowed to cancel a confirmed reservation unless
due to unavoidable reasons, such as illness in the host family or illness
of a close relative, fire, burglary, or other substantial material damage.
In case of such an obstacle, the host family informs the guest immedi-
ately and if possible, helps him/her in finding similar accommodation
elsewhere.
The host ensures that the guest has had an access to the common
terms of contract for accommodation services and has had the chance
to approve them prior to booking accommodation.
http://www.maaseutupolitiikka.fi/matkailu/sopimusehdot
In case of an accident taking place during the stay, the guest is commit-
ted to take responsibility for his/her own actions. The home insurance
of the host family may, depending on the extent of the insurance,
replace part of the damage. The excess or the share of costs not cov-
ered by the insurance can be claimed from the guest.
The host family is responsible for following the legislation on home
accommodation services in their supply of services.
Values & principles
Host family

7. Guests
The guest respects the host family and their home.
The guest is entitled to receive accommodation services provided
by the host family coinciding with the recommendations of the
Homestay concept as regards the quality of basic services and any
other additional services, if s/he has agreed on these services with
the host family.
The guest pays for his/her stay either in advance or as s/he arrives,
according to the agreement with the host family.
The guest has the right to cancel his/her reservation. After the can-
cellation, the host family is entitled to a share of the possible ad-
vance payment according to the terms of contract signed, as de-
fined by the Agreement Terms Regarding Countryside Holidays.
http://www.maaseutupolitiikka.fi/matkailu/sopimusehdot
In case of an accident taking place during the stay, the guest is
committed to take responsibility for his/her own actions. The home
insurance of the host family may, depending on the extent of the
insurance, replace part of the damage. The excess or the share of
costs not covered by the insurance can be claimed from the guest.
Values & principles

8. General contents
Possibility for one night stays as well.
Accommodation in a private room (equipped with a door) in
the residential building of the host family or in a separate building
located next to or near the main building.
The room designated for staying overnight is a houseroom suitable
for accommodating guests.
The number of beds in the room corresponds with the number of
residents defined for the room.
The beds or sofa-beds in the room are decent, undamaged and in
good condition, and suitable for sleeping.
The guest is provided with an opportunity to wash him/herself.
Each guest is entitled to clean, decent bed linen:
blanket pillow
sheet duvet cover
pillowcase bath towel
Contents of Homestay

9. Breakfast
Contents of Homestay
Breakfast is included in the price of the stay, unless
otherwise agreed with the guest.
Includes a breakfast typically served at the residence.
Is not a buffet-type breakfast, but a home-like breakfast
served on a dining table.
Served at the same time the host family usually eats
their breakfast, unless otherwise agreed with the guest.
For additional charge, the guest can get a lunch box to
go.

10. Contents of Homestay
Cyclist-friendly Homestay-homes
Cyclist-friendly Homestay-homes offer basic
accommodation and the following additional services:
Nourishing breakfast.
Basic tools for bicycle service.
Possibility to wash the bicycle.
(water hose and brush)
Possibility for doing the laundry and drying the clothes.
Chance to check next day's weather.
Lock-up storage for the bicycle.

11. Motorcyclist-friendly Homestay-homes offer basic
accommodation and the following additional services:
Paved road all the way. (no multi-kilometer gravel roads)
Lock-up storage for the motorbike.
Available route plans for nearby areas.
Information on local tourist attractions and restaurants.
Chance to check next day's weather.
In addition, the host family is also familiar with motorcycling
and has the interest in it.
Ravintola
INFO
Contents of Homestay
Motorcyclist-friendly Homestay-homes

12. Pricing
Costs
Homestay accommodation is not intended to be free of charge or a low-cost option. As determining
the price for accommodation, the host needs to consider all expenses caused by homestay, such as:
Electricity: heating, lighting, cooking, laundry.
Water: washing, laundry, cooking.
Cleaning: equipment, detergents.
Meals: raw materials for breakfast and any other meals.
Linen.
Use of one’s own free time for homestay activities.

13. Pricing
Costs
Time spent on marketing: administering the website, taking and
renewing photos, answering e-mails and booking inquiries.
Time spent on administration: recording both the income and
expenses, filing the receipts, filling in tax returns.
In addition, possible absence from one’s permanent work resulting
in loss of income should be taken into account as defining the price
for accommodation.
Income received through Homestay is taxable, which needs to be
considered when defining the price.
Any special features of your own home, such as the historical value
or location of the building or the place, should also be taken into
consideration as setting the price.

14. Additional services
Pricing
The host determines the price for any additional services.
Examples of possible additional services included in the price or
charged separately are listed as follows:
Using the sauna.
Wireless internet connection.
Possibility to have a warm meal.
Possibility to buy a lunch box to go.
Possibility to put up a tent and camp outside.
Use of gas/charcoal grill in the yard.
Possibility to accommodate in a camping trailer in the yard.

15. Welcome
home!