TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Dear Student:
Thank you for choosing homestayinLA for your housing requirements. homestayinLA is designed with you, the student, in mind. Our goal is to offer you quality accommodations and service while studying in the U.S.A. Providing a safe, clean environment, conducive to studying, is our primary objective. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is always available to help you throughout your stay.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS:
homestayinLA is commissioned by you to act in your best interest as your agent.
1) APPLICATION: To apply, please fill out the Application Form in full and send it to homestayinLA’s office via website, fax or air mail with your payment of click here to see the price. This includes the non-refundable administration fee and a non-refundable registration fee click here to see the fees ( the registration fee is refundable if cancelled before 45 days of arrival). Your check must payable in U.S. dollars and should be made payable to homestayinLA. Please include, or email a photograph of yourself with your application. DO NOT delay sending your application if you cannot immediately send your payment. Just write a note stating that payment is on its way. Apply as early as possible to ensure confirmation of accommodations and preferences. Your reservation will not be confirmed until payment has been received.
2) LATE PAYMENT: If your payment is received with less than 15 days prior to your arrival, a charge of an additional $150.00 U.S. will be necessary to cover extra courier and communication expenses.
3) CONFIRMATION OF HOUSING: If the Application Form, non-refundable administrative fee & registration fee are received on or before 45 days prior to arrival, you will receive confirmation of your placement approximately 2-3 weeks before you are scheduled to arrive. Once you have a confirmed homestay, it is the student’s responsibility to pay for housing for the first 12 weeks before arrival time. If homestayinLA does not receive the proper paperwork and housing fees as stated previously, homestayinLA will inform you as soon as your placement has been confirmed. To the best of homestayinLA and their agents’ ability, confirmation of housing will be sent prior to your departure from your country so that you will be informed of your U.S address. homestayinLA reserves the right to refuse service to any student whose complete paperwork and payments (as stated above) are not received at least 14 days prior to student’s arrival date.
4) HOUSING: homestayinLA offers home stays with local hosts. This includes a private, furnished room. The home stay can include two (2) meals per day (breakfast and dinner); one (1) meal per day (breakfast); or no meals, according to your preference.
5) FLIGHT INFORMATION: It is suggested that you book your flight well in advance. It is the responsibility of the student to communicate and verify to homestayinLA flight details at least two (2) weeks before your arrival so that transportation arrangements may be made on your behalf.
6) AIRPORT PICK-UP SERVICE: homestayinLA is able to book a pick up service for you to take you to the host’s home from the airport. This service is offered on arrival only. ADDITIONAL FEES REQUIRED. Click here to see the fee schedule
7) INSURANCE: homestayinLA and its representatives are not liable for any damages, injuries, or other events that occur as a result of your U S. stay. Each student is responsible for providing insurance for such risks. **NOTE** Many of the schools/colleges have a policy which requires purchase of insurance upon enrollment into their educational programs. Please check with your school for information regarding health and personal insurance required by the school you are attending. Obtaining proper insurance IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILTY OF THE STUDENT.
8) VISAS: Obtaining the proper visas and permits for your education is the responsibility of each individual. Inquiries concerning the matter should be directed to either the American Consulate in your country or through the school to which you are applying to.
9) CANCELLATION: All cancellations must be in writing and received by homestayinLA prior to your arrival in order to receive a refund ( registration fee is non-refundable) per the refund chart. If written cancellation is not received prior to your arrival into the U.S. you will forfeit all pre-payments, with the exceptions of your prepaid housing fees, which will be refunded, less $ 15.00 wiring fees.
10) TERMINATION: “Termination” refers to any cancellations made once you have arrived and begun your housing contract. Termination notices must be in writing and will be handled on an individual basis in which the circumstances of the situation will be reviewed and determined as to a fair decision concerning all parties. The Application Fee is not refundable and travel costs are the responsibility of the student.
11) homestayLA reserves the right to terminate without compensation a student’s housing arrangement if the student is found to have behaved with gross misconduct. Gross misconduct includes: theft, abuse of property, abuse of persons, alcohol and drug abuse, failure to adhere to local laws, property rules and regulations. In addition, homestayinLA shall inform the student’s advisor at the college he/she is attending. No refunds whatsoever will be paid to students who have been found to have behaved with gross misconduct.
12) CHANGE OF HOMESTAY: Every effort is made to find a suitable home stay host for each student. Therefore students no home stay changes will be allowed unless the home stay accommodations are not of a suitable overall quality. Any problems with the accommodations should be reported to homestayinLA as soon as possible and homestayinLA will investigate the student’s complaints. Should the complaint be valid, homestayinLA will move the student to a new home stay at the earliest possible time. Students with acceptable home stay may request a different home stay arrangement if there is an important reason the student wants a change. In this case homestayinLA will on a “best efforts” basis attempt to find a new home stay for the student. Such a move will involve an additional fee of $100.00 to cover administrative expenses of finding a new home. Additonal fee is required to physically move the student and may result in the student paying additional housing fees to homestayinLA. A student may only request one such move.
13) HOUSING EXTENSIONS: If you have been placed by homestayinLA in a home stay and wish to continue your stay, all extension periods must be directed through homestayinLA’s office. The additional fees must be paid in advance and directly to homestayinLA. Once the extension has been processed, there will be no refunds allowed. Under no circumstances, may the student nor their home stay host contract directly with one another. If the student does not wish to extend their stay in the homestayinLA home stay it is understood that the student is to leave their home stay at the end of the term of the housing contract.
14) HOLIDAYS You will not be entitled to a refund for any holidays that occur during your stay even if the school is closed. Additionally, you will not be entitled to a refund for any days you choose to spend away from the home stay as a result of your desire to travel during your contract period.
15) REFUNDS: If you wish to cancel your homestay before you arrive in the US, homestayinLA must receive a written notice from you at least 45 days prior to your arrival date in order to cancel the homestay without any penalty (homestayinLA will refund ,click here to see list. The registration fee might be refundable, if requested at least 45 days in advance. The administration fee is not refundable. If your cancellation notice is received within less than 30 days, but more than 15 days, homestayinLA will refund only half of the application fee. If your cancellation notice is received within less than 15 days or you simply do not move in to the homestay without giving homestayinLA notice that you are canceling, you will be held liable for the first 4 weeks payment of your housing fee. This is because your host would have the bedroom ready and be expecting you. Therefore, we must have enough time to warn the host of your cancellation. If you wish to cancel your homestay after you arrive, homestayinLA must receive a 4 week ( or one month, depending on school ) notice from you. The notice must be in writing, reviewed, and determined a fair decision concerning all parties. Students may move out of their homestay 4 weeks ( or one month, depending on school ) after the termination notice has been submitted to the homestayinLA’s office and the remainder of the housing fee will be refunded for the time remaining after the 4 weeks( or one month) . Students who move out of their homestay without giving a 4 weeks notice ( or one month) will be held liable and pay for 4 weeks ( or one month ) , passed their move out date.
16) TRANSPORTATION: It is the responsibility of the student to provide their own transportation to and from their school. homestayinLA will assist in providing the student with local bus maps and telephone numbers of public transportation. **NOTE** Please be advised that the public transportation here in the US may not be as convenient as you may presently be used to. homestayinLA has made every effort to provide assistance to you in getting around efficiently in the area by the available local bus systems.
17) MODE OF PAYMENT: Cash ( Cash will be taken in our office only ) Check ( Cashiers checks only payable in U.S. dollars ) or Wire Transfers. We will charge a THREE PERCENT (3 % ) customer convenience charge on all NON-CASH and NON-CHECK transactions. A Credit Card information ( Visa & Master Cards ) , will be asked for and kept for security.
18) WIRE TRANSFER: Payments for application and housing fees may be made via bank transfer, a $ 15.00 wiring bank fee will automatically be added to your bill. All payments must be in US dollars. After the reservation has been received by homestayinLA an acknowledgment will be mailed with the bank wiring instructions for payments.
AGREEMENT AND RELEASE:
19) I, the undersigned have read, understand and accept all terms and conditions of this Student Application Form Contract. I fully accept the terms of the responsibility, refunds, extensions and charges as stated above in sections 1 through 19 of this form. I also understand that any loss, injury, damage, accident, delay or expense resulting from events beyond our control, including (without limitation) acts of God, wars, strikes, incidents of politically motivated violence, sickness or quarantine, government restrictions or regulations, or in the absence of its own negligence, arising from the use of any vehicle from homestayinLA or selection of or from any act or omission by any home stay host, bus company, landlord, taxi service, hotel, restaurant, school or other firm, agency, company or individual.
20) I understand that I am responsible for exercising due caution and common sense at all times. I hereby indemnify homestayinLA, its agents and employees, and hold them harmless for any financial liability or obligation which I may personally incur, or injury or damage to the person or property of others that I may cause. homestayinLA reserves the right to make changes in my housing arrangements. I acknowledge acceptance of the terms of the refund policy as stated in the “General Information and Conditions” I authorize homestayinLA to disburse monies paid by me to homestayinLA for use on my behalf to my home stay or for housing and other services as periodically needed. I understand and agree with the extension procedure as stated in Item 13.
21) This agreement becomes effective upon execution of this confirmation and shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.
homestayinLA
"We provide quality housing for foreign and domestic students, visitors and interns"
1125 S. Crest Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Phone: 310 859-4740 e-mail: contact@homestayinla.com
