FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Most of our host families live within 45min to 1hr20 mins commute to the city centre, Hosts who offer their rooms do not usually live in the city centre but surrounding the city in the suburbs of Dublin. However, Dublin offers an excellent transport service, with plenty of buses, trains, and trams.
It is up to the host to ensure that they have adequate home insurance.
For intern bookings, the high school program, and any mature guests, it is important that they have a key and that you show them how to lock up securely.
Please give your host one week's notice. The same applies if your host needs to give you notice due to a change in circumstances.
We ensure that our host families are in good residential areas with excellent transport services. We have many host families in the North of Dublin, a fantastic area with wonderful amenities, great places to visit, and a very safe environment. In the heart of Dublin City, as in any city, we advise you to take extra care of your personal belongings, such as mobile phones and other valuables.
Rent-a-Room Relief may not apply to host family income. It is the host family's responsibility to seek professional advice regarding the taxation of host family income.
You should discuss this with your host family on arrival! General house rules include:
  • Be respectful to everyone in your host family.
  • No guests are allowed in your room without consulting your host first.
  • No smoking inside the host’s home.
  • No alcohol or drug use.
  • If you have any issues, discuss them with your host first—they will try to address them.
  • Keep noise to a minimum after 9 PM.
  • Tidy up after yourself.
  • If you are on a room-only package, discuss with your host when you can use the kitchen and laundry (please buy your own detergent).
  • Use "please" and "thank you"—our hosts appreciate good manners.
As a host, it is your home and your rules. Please explain your house rules to your student upon arrival to ensure everyone understands what is expected.
Your room should have fresh bed linen and be clean and comfortable, you should bring your own towel and toiletries. Your host will show you the general area, where to catch bus, tram, train etc, local shops for bus tickets etc. If you have a package including meals, your host will provide you with good standard of meals.
Once you register with us we will send you a welcome letter with all the various rates available, it changes with the type of booking and also with the Agent.
Group bookings ( we place students/leaders together in areas, all over Dublin and Ireland):
  • International school students coming for short stays 4-7 days age 13-19
  • Intern students coming for work experience 1-3 months age 16-25
  • Summer programmes - 3-4 week stays 11-19 age studying and sightseeing
  • Immersion summer students - they spend all their time with the family
  • Academic students who go to Irish secondary schools aged 15 -16
  • Your home should be tidy, well-maintained, and clean. (Think about the standard you would expect if you were arriving at a B&B. The biggest complaints from guests and agencies are unclean and untidy homes.)
  • Your home should have Wi-Fi, and you should offer a warm welcome to your guest. Upon arrival, please show them bus stops, meeting points, etc.
  • For room-only bookings, please allow reasonable access to the kitchen and washing machine, or inform us in advance if you do not allow use.
  • If we place students under the age of 18, we will first conduct a home visit and then complete the Garda vetting process.
  • Please email photos of your room and communal areas to admin@hfdi.ie as soon as possible.