Terms and conditions

Introduction

IHA-International Homestay Agency, operated by and known as VHA – Vancouver Homestay Agency Inc, LLC (the agency or agency).

The user(s) are the clients and customers, students, parents and guardians, applicants and candidates, homestays, host families, hosts and homeowners, tenants and landlords, schools, colleges, and universities, agents, consultants, and representatives, singular or plural (the user or users).

The program is the agency’s online placement services and offerings dedicated to the users. (the program or programs).

The following terms and conditions apply to all users of the agency’s program:

1. The agency instructs all users to comply with the following terms and conditions, student or guest guidelines, homestay or hosting guidelines. And the privacy policy is included here and located on the agency website, and booking agreements and registration forms are on additional pages.
2. The agency welcomes host families (the users) who can safely accommodate students and newcomers (the users); however, the agency neither guarantees nor warrants the users’ safety and security. While the agency reserves the right to screen some users, the agency advises all users to consider all risks and possible options before participating in the program or making any purchases or bookings. 
3. Risks are events and outcomes that the user needs to consider and assume could occur that the agency or anyone may and may not fall victim to for any reason, including the risk of human errors and omissions. These risks are but are not limited to loss of life, all types of disabilities, physical and psychological injuries, property damages, sexual and verbal assaults, abuse and harassment, wild and domesticated animal attacks, forest fires, earthquakes and storms, building and house fires, infectious diseases and illnesses, thefts, fraud, and robberies, insect bites, food poisoning, motor vehicle collisions, domestic disputes, slip and fall, and all types of accidents and losses; such as pain and suffering, loss of wages, income, and earnings, and medical and legal bills. Note risks could happen on or off the homestay property, so we urge all users to stay safe, vigilant, and alert.
4. The agency does not assume responsibility for all risks, as listed above in section C, and all liabilities resulting from injuries, losses, damages, disputes, or accidents that may occur during the users’ homestay program and after the program ends.
5. Students seventeen years of age and younger and their guardians must agree to follow typical homestay curfew hours of 9 pm on weekdays and 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Sleepovers and the absence from the homestay, such as school trips, must be pre-approved in writing by the student guardians, representative, or local custodian with the host family. For older persons, while there are no pre-set curfew hours, students and guests must be mindful of regular sleeping hours, noise reduction during the night hours, and rest times of house members. 
6. No alcohol drinking, smoking indoors, or using recreational drugs is allowed at the homestay.
7. As listed above in section C, the users assume all risks. All users must agree to release the agency harmless, including all owners, stakeholders, executives, employees, agents, and representatives, from all risks, losses, and liabilities. The users must accept that the agency is not responsible for the actions performed by any third party and other program users.
8. The agency recommends that the users purchase adequate insurance coverage, including but not limited to travel, health and medical, injury, disability, liability, life, emergency, home, vehicle and more. Contact an insurance broker, travel agent, or school for more information regarding insurance options.
9. While the agency does not offer medical emergency or policing services, should a user report an urgent incident to the agency, the agency would do the following:
10. If the user cannot report the matter to authorities, the agency would assist by reporting the issue to the police and calling an ambulance when necessary.
11. The agency would offer homestay alternatives depending on the circumstances and available vacancies.
12. The agency acts in good faith as an independent broker. The agency neither mediates nor moderates conflicts between the users. The agency may assist with re-booking an alternative homestay when necessary and subject to available vacancies.
13. To terminate or cancel a homestay arrangement or participate in the program, a user must give the agency a minimum of one month’s written notice.
14. Refunds of full and partial homestay fees (rent) and advance payment are subject to the homestay booking agreement’s clauses and timelines.
15. Registration and homestay fees, advance payment, deposits, service charges, monthly or weekly advance homestay fees, add-on services and support packages are non-refundable. We encourage you to purchase the agency’s optional support package during the stay when you wish to change homestay, ask for a second placement in a different destination city, or change the school location. Contact the agency for any add-on services.
16. Failure to adhere to and comply with the users’ terms, conditions and guidelines may lead to the immediate termination of the occupancy and further measures or actions taken.
17. Only the Courts of British Columbia Canada will action any unresolved legal disputes or claims brought against the agency as a defendant or a material witness.