Question 1

How do I apply for a room?

Accepted Answer

Please submit your application on the For Guests page and pay the $25 application fee.

Question 2

What is the process to find a homestay?

Accepted Answer

1) The guest fills out an application and pays the $25 application fee  in order to submit the application. *OHB needs a minimum notice of 1 month in order to find a host (about 3 months is the desired amount of time), and also has a minimum stay of 1 month (or in other words, the guest must pay a minimum of 1 month in rent).
2) OHB researches in its host network to locate potential matches based on the criteria shared in the guest application.
3) OHB shares host profiles with the guest to confirm their interest in staying with the potential host(s) and then shares the guest profile with potential host matches to confirm their interest & availability to host the guest.
4) If both guest & host are interested, OHB makes an introduction by email so that the guest and host can arrange a (video)call to discuss, ask/answer questions, and determine if they think it will be a good match for the stay.
5) If both sides are happy to proceed, OHB will ask the guest to pay the placement fee in order to reserve the space for their stay. Once the placement fee is paid, the space is considered reserved for that guest, and the host cannot rent it to another guest.
6) Once the guest arrives, they will pay rent directly to the host, based on what was discussed in their intro call.

Question 3

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

In order to submit an application, there is a $25 fee. 
If you are successfully placed with a host, you will pay a placement fee of $275 for a 1 - 6 month stay or $450 for a 7+ month stay before you arrive in order to reserve your room. 
Rent is determined by our hosts, and generally ranges between $1,100 - $1,500 per month depending on the location, size of the room, etc. In addition to the room, included in the monthly rent are access to a bathroom (private or shared), basic furniture, bed linens & towels, electricity, heat, water, trash, and WiFi. Kitchen arrangements vary but can include: access to the main kitchen of the home, a private guest kitchenette, or no kitchen facilities. Depending on the property, additional services may be included like parking, cooling, recycling, composting, cleaning, and more. All details will be specified in the host listing.

Question 4

How is the rent determined and how is it paid?

Accepted Answer

The rent is determined by the host for their own space and is paid directly to the host; Our Home Boston does not have any role in determining the rent. The rent is largely a reflection of the location and amenities offered to the guest. The average monthly rent in the Boston area is $1,100 - $1,500, however for locations closer to the center of Boston, rents are often between $1,500 - $2,000. All hosts are required to provide electricity, water, heat, internet and trash for their guests and these services must be included in the monthly rent. Hosts may offer additional services, either included with the rent or at extra cost. Some examples of additional services that are often included in the rent are cooling (air conditioning), recycling, composting, and laundry. Some examples of additional services that may be at extra charge are parking and a weekly/monthly cleaning service. All services and their prices will be described clearly in the listing for the homestay so the guest knows what's included in the rent and what is extra. Each host determines when rent should be paid to them, and the methods they accept (ex. cash, bank transfer, Venmo, Zelle, etc.), and will let the guest know during their intro call, before the guest reserves the homestay, about the rent requirements. No host will ask that rent be paid before the guest arrives in Boston. Only the administrative placement fee to OHB must be paid before arrival in order to reserve the homestay space for the stay.

Question 5

What is the minimum stay? Maximum stay?

Accepted Answer

Our Home Boston has a minimum stay of 1 month. There is no maximum stay length, but the majority of homestay guests do not stay longer than 9 months.
Hosts will choose how long they would like to host guests, so you will be paired with a host, in part, based on the dates of your stay.

Question 6

Where do you have available rooms?

Accepted Answer

The list of Boston-area cities/towns our hosts are located in appears on the For Guests page. 
Once you submit an application, based on your criteria, we will suggest 1 - 2 hosts that may be a good match and show you the details of their property listing(s).

Question 7

Who is the typical guest in a homestay?

Accepted Answer

The vast majority of our guests are international graduate/PhD students, researchers, and interns who are coming to the Boston area for a program lasting 2 - 9 months, so that they cannot sign a traditional 12-month rental lease and may need assistance finding housing options from abroad.

Question 8

What is the typical arrangement in a homestay?

Accepted Answer

All hosts are required to provide a room, bed, access to a bathroom (whether shared or private), electricity, water, heat, internet and trash for their guests and these services must be included in the monthly rent. Homestays also most often include access to a kitchen or kitchenette for cooking/food storage. Typically there is a closet and/or dresser for clothes storage in the room. Hosts may also offer additional services, either included in the rent or at extra charge. While some hosts have separate spaces/studios only for guests, the majority of homestays include a private guest room in a house/apartment, however access to the bathroom, kitchen, and living spaces (like a living room) are shared with the host(s) and other guest(s), if the host has more than one room to rent. It is also common that the guest will have shared access to an outdoor space (like a patio, yard or deck) as well as laundry facilities.

Question 9

How long is the average morning commute?

Accepted Answer

The typical morning commute is about 30-45 minutes by public transportation. Locations within 30 minutes and/or accessible by walking distance are rare and not usually feasible for the budget of the average homestay guest. Driving is not recommended, if possible to avoid, as traffic and parking can be challenging in the Boston area.

Question 10

What do guests say about Our Home Boston?

Accepted Answer

Check out the testimonials on the For Guests page.

FAQ's

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a room?

What is the process to find a homestay?

How much does it cost?

How is the rent determined and how is it paid?

What is the minimum stay? Maximum stay?

Where do you have available rooms?

Who is the typical guest in a homestay?

What is the typical arrangement in a homestay?

How long is the average morning commute?

What do guests say about Our Home Boston?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a room?

What is the process to find a homestay?

How much does it cost?

How is the rent determined and how is it paid?

What is the minimum stay? Maximum stay?

Where do you have available rooms?

Who is the typical guest in a homestay?

What is the typical arrangement in a homestay?

How long is the average morning commute?

What do guests say about Our Home Boston?

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