Can I open a UK bank account while I am living with my Host Family?
Whilst you are in London, you may want to open a bank account using your Host Family’s home address.
You MUST ask permission before you do this and it is at the discretion of the Host Family to allow you to do so. Please bear in mind that the Host Family has the right to say no if they are uncomfortable with this. For many students on short term stays of up to 3 months, it will usually not be practical for a Host Family to agree to you using their address. Over the course of one year a Host Family may host many short term international students. If all of these short term students registered bank accounts at their address, then this could have adverse consequences on the Host Family. Your Host Family may be agreeable to allowing you to open a bank account if you are on a long term Homestay with them.
If they are happy for you to open an account registered at their address, then please ensure that you close it before you leave your Homestay. Your Host Family will likely ask you to confirm this to them by way of a letter from the bank.