NZH Host Reimbursement Policy

1. Public NZH Guest Agreement
2. Public NZH Homestay Policy
3. Public NZH Host Agreement
4. Public NZH Complaint Management Policy
5. Public NZH COVID-19 Safety Policy
6. Public NZH Room Holding Policy
7. Public NZH Sexual Harassment and Abuse Prevention Policy
8. Public NZH Host Reimbursement Policy
9. Public NZH Refund Policy
10. Public NZH Privacy Policy
11. Public NZH Critical Incident Policy
12. Public NZH Code of Conduct for U18s in Homestay
13. Public NZH Guest Placement Policy
14. Public NZH Selection Criteria for the Recruitment of Homestay Hosts
15. Public NZH Website Terms of Use

Note: Host reimbursement rates will vary by region. Please contact your local NZH office for the reimbursement rates applicable to you.

NZH Hosts receive a weekly reimbursement fee for hosting a Guest in their home. Weekly fees are paid directly to NZH by the Guest. NZH retains a small management fee to cover systems, placement processing and management, and 24/7 critical support services and the remainder of the weekly fee is reimbursed to the Host to assist with expenses associated with hosting such as accommodation and meals. These fees may change at any time but will not change during any individual placement without prior notice.

Meals are to be provided in accordance with the meal plan purchased by the Guest and agreed to by the Host family. Guests are expected to prepare their own breakfast and/or lunch with food purchased by the Host. Hosts are required to prepare and share a nutritious dinner 5 days a week to encourage regular conversation and interaction with the Guest.

Hosts will automatically be covered under the NZH-arranged insurance policy by default. More information on insurance can be found here: https://www.newzealandhomestay.co.nz/insurance/ The term “weekly fee” is equivalent to seven days. Weekly fees and host reimbursements will be prorated based on a daily rate if a Guest’s stay does not span a full and complete 7 days.

NZH will process Host reimbursement payments every Tuesday. Hosts will receive a payment of 2 weeks (or less if it is a short stay) for guests who have arrived by the Friday of the week prior. Ongoing Host reimbursement payments will be processed every two weeks and after receipt of the weekly fee by NZH from the Guest. Hosts must mark the Guest as “arrived” on their profile to be eligible for payment. NZH will then transfer the reimbursements to the Host’s nominated bank account electronically as per the payment schedule.

NZH issues invoices to the Guest two weeks in advance and will send reminders as necessary to ensure payment is received on time. It is not the Host’s responsibility to chase the Guest for payment, however, if a Guest falls behind with their fees NZH may ask the Host to speak with the Guest to ensure they have received the invoice and assist them with processing payment if needed. NZH cannot pay the weekly fees to the Host until the Guest has paid their fees to NZH.

Income earned from homestay is taxable and you can claim deductions for costs related to earning that income. Different tax rules apply depending on the circumstances, and hosts are responsible for their own compliance with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) rules and requirements.

Pre-arrival Cancellations

• If a Guest cancels their placement less than 48 hours prior to their scheduled arrival date, NZH will pay the Host the equivalent of one weeks host payment. No host payment will be processed for cancellations more than 48 hours prior to arrival.
• If a Guest’s visa is denied and they provide evidence of this to NZH at least 24 hours prior to their scheduled arrival date, NZH will refund the Guest in full for their placement and no payment will be reimbursed to the Host.

Post-arrival Changes and Cancellations

• The Guest is required to provide NZH and their Host with a minimum of two weeks’ written notice if they intend to move out of homestay. This notice period cannot commence during the first two weeks in homestay
• If a Guest gives less than two weeks’ notice of their intention to move out, NZH will pay the Host up to a maximum of two weeks host payment. Payment may be for less than 2 weeks by arrangement, for example if we are able to offer the host a new guest.
• If the Host requests to cancel a homestay placement and there has been no NZH policy breach by the Guest, the Host must give two weeks’ notice so NZH can arrange a new homestay placement for the Guest. If the Host requires the Guest to move immediately, NZH will make every effort to find another available Host and the homestay placement will be transferred as soon as possible. In this instance, the Host will only receive payment for the number of complete nights the Guest has stayed in the homestay
• If the Host requests to cancel a homestay placement due to the Guest breaching NZH policy or not complying with the Host’s house rules, the Guest will be required to move immediately. NZH will pay the host for all nights of the Guest’s placement up to the Guest’s departure date 
• If a homestay placement needs to be cancelled due to an NZH policy breach by the Host, or at the request of the Education Provider or NZH the Host will only receive payment for the number of complete nights the Guest has stayed in the homestay.

Room Holding Fees

• If a Guest requests for their room to be held while they go on holiday, they may keep their belongings in their designated room and the Host will receive 50% of the usual weekly host payment.
• The Guest must be away for seven nights or more. Full fees apply if the holiday is six days or less.
• The Guest must notify NZH and their Host of their holiday plans at least two weeks prior to departure. Room holding fees will not be offered after the date of departure if notice has not been given.
• Full details can be found in the NZH Room Holding Policy.

Overpayments

• NZH will contact the Host if it is found that a Host has been overpaid for a placement. Any excess funds are to be reimbursed to NZH via one of the following methods:

1. If the Host is due to receive a payment for an existing or upcoming placement within a month (4 weeks) of the overpayment being identified, NZH will deduct the excess funds from the Host’s next scheduled payment.
2. If the Host does not have a payment scheduled within a month (4 weeks) of the overpayment being identified, the Host must transfer the excess funds to the NZH bank account. Account details will be forwarded to the Host as required.

This policy is subject to change at any time. NZH is not responsible for payments delayed because of a public holiday, natural disaster, or major system failure. The Host must notify NZH immediately if you feel you have not been paid the full amount for a placement; NZH can only adjust a payment against your most recent reimbursement and cannot backdate beyond that period. NZH takes no responsibility for the retrieval of funds made to an incorrect bank account provided by a Host.

Reviewed: June 2023