Homestay FAQs

The easiest way is to browse the available properties online. Either use the filters to conduct an availability search via the homepage if you know your dates, or browse the individual properties and search their calendars individually. Each listing has a contact form so you can contact them to make a booking.

Travel insurance can be purchased online quickly and easily through many providers. Homestay has partnered up with local insurance broker Cherry Godfrey Insurance Services who can offer our customers a quote for insurance .Find out more.

Some Hosts register for one year, others register for 2 years. In May each year we extend the registrations into the following year. Please remember though that many hosts do not register until just a few months before so don't worry if you can't find accommodation for the following year straight away.

We display a list of all registered properties on the website, and all Homestay properties have their own unique code. If you are in doubt as to whether a property is registered or not please contact our friendly team and we can check. 

Homestay hosts should collect a 20% deposit at the time of booking and no more, and ideally the remainder should be paid on arrival. Self Catering properties may make an arrangement for the balance to be paid a few weeks in advance. Please be careful when making payment.

The Island has great public transport with a regular bus service. Accommodation is often in high demand in Douglas so consider staying elsewhere. Find out more in our blog on where to stay

If you wish to take paying visitors for the TT and MGP periods it is a legal requirement for you to register your home with us. If you wish to create permanent tourist accommodation year round then you should register with visit Isle of Man. Accepting guests without completing the registration process is a criminal offence.

It is up to you! Homestay IOM facilitates the registration of properties and the register on our website will be updated so potential guests can check you are registered. If you wish you can advertise on our website, which we hope will quickly become the main place for visitors to find TT accommodation.

The house or apartment must be fully equipped with everything that a guest might expect for a comfortable stay. In regards to safety please ensure a Fire Blanket is purchased and on display in the kitchen.

The Department for Enterprise will arrange Public Liability insurance cover as part of your registration.

If a visitor is injured whilst staying in your property and they decide that you were somehow negligent, they have the option to bring an action against you. If you are registered with the scheme, the Department’s Public Liability insurance policy will respond and deal with the claim. This provides cover of up to £5 million and applies for the period the property is registered only. This insurance does NOT cover any accidental damage to your house or its contents. All Homestay hosts should contact their home insurer and advise that they will be accommodating paying guests during the periods of the TT and/or the Manx Grand Prix and arrange a suitable extension of cover as applicable. Failure to do so may invalidate your home and contents insurance policy. We have partnered with local broker Cherry Godfrey who can help with cover as appropriate. Find out more here.

This is between you and your landlord. We will inspect a property to ensure it is safe to let, but we we will do so on the assumption that you have the relevant permissions in place.

This is a possibility depending on your local authority rules. If you do receive permission we will require a copy of the letter from the relevant authority.

You should check with your apartment management company first as to whether this is permitted. Please note we cannot reund any applications which need to be later cancelled due to a property legally being unable to be registered.