The Department for Enterprise is encouraging anyone who is offering an unregistered property for TT or the Festival of Motorcycling to get in touch with MiQuando and register for the Homestay Scheme.
The Homestay Scheme is operated by Isle of Man firm MiQuando, on behalf of the Department, and provides an opportunity for households to host paying visitors for both the TT and Festival of Motorcycling. During the TT period ‘Homestay Hosts’ can earn up to £1,800 tax free income. Households who do not register will not have access to the tax free allowance.
Any household looking to offer Homestay must be registered. Registration is quick and easy and includes quality, fire and hygiene checks to ensure the property is safe and welcoming for visitors, plus free advertising on the Official Homestay website www.iomhomestay.com.
Fees to register start from £37.50 per year for a new registration and from £22.50 per year for a re-registration. The fee includes access to the Department’s Public Liability insurance which means that if a visitor is injured while 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.
Carl Kinvig, Senior Fire Safety Officer at the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service, commented:
‘A room can become fully involved in a fire in as little as four minutes and two to three breaths of smoke can render someone unconscious. Therefore not adhering to fire safety standards can have very serious consequences for both the owner and their guests. Also, depending on the number of guests you have or their location within your property, you may require a Fire Certificate to operate. Failure to do so could result in a potential prosecution which could leave you facing a fine or even imprisonment. Not registering is simply a risk not worth taking.’
The Department wishes to remind all Island homeowners that it is illegal to host paying visitors without being registered by MiQuando. If you are currently or intending to promote your property on social media platforms or websites, such as www.airbnb.co.uk, to accept paid visitors please note that the Homestay registration applies.
The deadline for registration is Tuesday 30 April 2019.
Anybody currently offering Homestay who has not yet registered should contact Miquando by emailing hosts@iomhomestay.com or telephoning +44 1624 640393.
