Rooms in Sri Lanka Homes for Tourists

1) The scheme shall be operative in entire Sri Lanka.

2) It is compulsory that all Home Stay units, Bungalows & Rented Houses/ Rented Apartments under the scheme should register and license with Sri Lanka Tourism.

3) The proprietor of the house to be registered under the scheme and classification under the scheme should submit an application to Sri Lanka Tourism with all information and relevant documents.

4) Standard and Quality Assurance Division of Sri Lanka Tourism, as specified in the guidelines, would ensure to conduct an inspection of the premises within thirty (30) days of submitting the application before registering the unit as Home Stay, Bungalow & Rented Houses/ Rented Apartments. This is to ensure that the architectural design is in conformity with location and the surrounding environment and the unit has hygienic, clean facilities and is secure for tourists. On application for registration/classification/ reclassification, the unit will have to be ready for inspection, without prior notice, by officials of Sri Lanka Tourism. No request for deferment of inspection will be entertained.

5) The type of meals to be offered will have to be specified, the charges will have to be displayed and the visitors will have to be informed in advance so as to avoid unnecessary disputes.

6) The quality of the facilities and services will be evaluated by a committee of Sri Lanka Tourism. Due preference will be accorded to homes which are able to provide Sri Lankan experience by way of decor, traditions and authentic cuisine etc.

7) A registration fee of Rs.1000.00 + NBT + VAT should be paid (including the inspection fee) should be paid when submitting the application for registration as Home-Stay unit, Bungalow & Rented Houses/ Rented Apartments.

8) A certificate of registration will be issued on evaluation of the standards as per the Check List.

9) Any deficiency /short comings notified by the committee during inspection will be informed on the spot, and to be rectified within a period of time agreed by the owner of the establishment (less than three (03) months) and intimated to the Sri Lanka Tourism for the re-inspection of the premises.

10) The committee will decide and may recommend registration in a category either higher or lower than the one applied for. In case the category applied for is lower than the one recommended by the committee, then the applicant has the right to reapply for required category after fulfilling the standards.

11) In case of dissatisfaction with the decision of the committee, the proprietor may appeal in writing to the Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism within thirty (30) days of the official communication.

12) The Home Stay unit, Bungalow & Rented Houses/ Rented Apartment is expected to maintain required standard at all times. Sri Lanka Tourism will conduct a surprise inspection of the house at any time without previous notice.

13) In case of failure to maintain required quality and service standard, hygiene condition, misbehavior or malpractices, the registration will be cancelled by Home Stay Units, Bungalows and Rented Houses / Rented Apartments Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism, after giving reasonable time period to rectify same.

14) Any complaint from any guest in accommodation of any of the three (3) types of establishments to the Sri Lanka Tourism, will be investigated and if found guilty the registration will be cancelled by Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism.

15) Any change in facilities, refurbishment / upgrading or extensions should be informed in writing to Sri Lanka Tourism within 30 days. If the clause is in violation and is comes to the notice of the committee, the classification will stand withdrawn/ terminated.

16) The registered Home Stay units, Bungalows & Rented Houses/ Rented Apartments are permitted to market and to promote the unit and activities.

17) Sri Lanka Tourism will organized training programs on hospitality industry which need to provide with good quality service and facilities for tourists.

18) The registration/classification will be valid for one (01) year from the date of the registration / classification. A fresh application should be submitted to Sri Lanka Tourism, three (03) months before the expiry of the registration for re- inspection / evaluation.

1. Every owner of Home Stay unit, Bungalow & Rented Houses/ Rented Apartments shall get registered with Sri Lanka Tourism and follow the guidelines thereafter as stated in the Home-Stay guidelines, which shall be binding on the owner of the Home Stay unit.

2. The owner of the home stay unit shall at all times maintain the minimum standards of the cleanliness, sanitation, quality food etc. as stipulated by Sri Lanka Tourism.

3. In case of un-hygienic conditions, misbehavior, malpractices, failure to maintain required standards etc. The registration of the home stay unit will be cancelled after giving a reasonable opportunity to the owner. The cancellation will be done by the Director General of the Sri Lanka Tourism.

4. The owner shall maintain a register for letting out the rooms to the tourists, which can be inspected by the concerned. The register will have the same format as those presently being used in the Hotels/Guest Houses.

5. The owner shall maintain a bill book/ Home Stay pad for issuing the bills to the tourists with a stamp.

6. The owner shall display a registration certificate of the Home Stay Unit for the information of the tourist. The certification logo of the Home Stay units which is issued by Sri Lanka Tourism can also be displayed.

It is essential to have the requirements mentioned from 1-6 below to be eligible to register With Sri Lanka Tourism as a Home Stay Unit, Bungalow & Rented Houses/ Rented Apartments in Sri Lanka.

1. LOCATION
The locality and environment should be suitable for a Home-Stay Unit.

2. ACCESS / APPROACH
Access / Approach should be suitable for a Home-Stay Unit.

3. HOME
It should be suitable for the operation of a Home-Stay Unit, Bungalow / Rented Houses / Rented Apartment.

4. COMPOUND / GARDEN
The compound should be well laid out and maintained in a manner befitting a Home-Stay Unit/ Bungalow/ Rented Houses/ Rented Apartment.

5. MAINTENANCE
Maintenance of all areas of the Home-Stay Unit / Bungalow / Rented Houses / Rented Apartment that is building (inside and outside) furniture, equipment, furnishing, fixtures, fittings, etc. should be of a standard befitting a Home-Stay Unit / Bungalow / Rented Houses / Rented Apartment.

6. PARKING
There should be adequate parking space for vehicles (with adequate security).

A). Front Sitting Area/Hall

• Should be pleasantly arranged to accommodate guests.

• Should have clean, spacious, well maintained front sitting area/hall.

• The sitting area/hall should have adequate ventilation and natural or artificial lighting.

• The sitting area/hall should have adequate, good quality furniture in very good condition.

B). Bed Rooms

* Should have one (01) or more bed room accommodation with separate guest bathrooms.

• Bed rooms should be spacious, clean, well ventilated and well maintained.

* Minimum size of the single bed room should not be less than 100 sq. ft. and the minimum size of the double bed room should not be less than 120 sq. ft.

* Should have serviceable and safe locks with keys on each door leading out of the bed room.

• Bed room should have windows suitably curtained or fitted with blind or equivalent.

* If air conditioning is not provided the bed room should have electric fans. Suitable heating facilities should be available depending on the climate.

• Bed room should have internal telephone or call bell system for the convenience of guest. (in the case of Home Stays. Its optional)

* A dressing table with mirror, ward robe or wall cupboard and/or cloth hangers and a luggage rack must be available.

• Should have clean, comfortable beds with rubberized or cotton mattress and kapok or foam rubber pillows. Sofa beds, bunk beds, futon could be provided for the use of children. Blow up beds are not accepted.

* Size of the bed should not be less than 1.07m x 2m and size of the double bed should not be less than 1.083m x 2m.

* Bed linen should be changed at least once in 03 days for staying guest. Fresh linen should be provided with each new guest.

* All bedrooms should have separate guest bathrooms with W.C over head showers and the main floor area should not be less than 30sq.ft, with moderate sanitation in very good working order.

• Bath room floor should be cleaned, nonskid and of impervious materials.

• Bath room walls should be preferably tiled up to 5 ft or finished with smooth cement/tiled or washable rubber paint.

* Bath room should have wash basin, mirror, towel rail, cloth hooks etc..

• Should have adequate good quality, absorbent towels and has to be changed on regular basis

• Iron board and iron should be available on request.

• Homes with electricity supply should supply a plug point inside each guest room.

C). Dining Area

* Should have a clean, well maintained dining area with good quality comfortable tables and chairs.

• Should have adequate stock of good quality cutlery, crockery, tableware and table linen.

D). Kitchen

* Should have a spacious, clean, well ventilated kitchen.

* Kitchen floor should be of impervious materials conducive for easy cleaning.

• Kitchen area should be free of insects and rodents. All openings, where necessary should be covered with fly mesh to prevent flies inside the kitchen.

• Cupboards for storage of groceries and perishables should preferably have fine mesh doors.

• Should have adequate cold storage facilities. Fish, meat, diary products, cooked and uncooked foods should be stored separately to avoid cross contamination. (optional for Home Stays)

• Kitchen should have an exhaust fan to remove hot air and other odours from the kitchen. (optional for Home Stays)

* Adequate precautions should be taken in a case of fire.

* There should be a sink with running water to wash cutlery, crockery and glassware hygienically. Cutlery and Crockery should be washed with hot water.

E). General

* Should maintain a guest register with name, address, passport no/National Identity Card No, date of arrival/departure etc. for references.

* All transactions should be issued with valid receipts and record to be maintained accordingly.

• If food is available, there should be a list of food items / type of meals available and the charges.

• Should have adequate stock of good quality bedding, towels, cutlery, crockery and glassware.

* First aid facilities should be available.

• Stairs, elevators should be well lit for safety.

* Adequate precautions should be taken in sea side properties and establishment with swimming pools for the safety of guests.

* Suitable arrangement should be made for the provision of laundry service of guest linen.

* All drainage in and around the kitchen should be cleaned, covered and lead to a soakage pit.

* Garbage should be stored in covered bins until it is disposed.

• Should have adequate facilities for parking of vehicles.

• Facilities should be arranged to hire vehicle for excursions, transfer of guest, etc.

* In case of sickness, there should be an arrangement to contact medical officer.

• Should preferably be disable-friendly.

Note:  The item marked with (*) are mandatory requirements.

1. What is Home Stay?

Home stay is a scheme which encourages local residents to open their home to paying guests at least on a bed & breakfast basis, enabling tourists to live in a homely environment and to experience the local customs and traditions.

2. What are the criteria for Home Stay/ Bungalow/Rented Houses & Rented Apartments?

At the time of inspection and throughout the accommodation must meet the following criteria:

 Property needs to be clean, tidy and presentable. Cleanliness is of paramount importance to your guests, so a high standard of cleanliness must be achieved and maintained throughout your property, giving particular attention to kitchens, bath rooms and toilets.

 Other items involving direct contact with guests should be clean and in good repair(such as bedding, linen, mattresses, towels, flooring, seating, crockery, cutlery, glassware, kitchen, utensils and equipment).

3. What happens if I do not meet the criteria upon the initial inspection?

You can re-apply for the inspection It is advisable, to apply for the re inspection after completing the short comings, which was notified during the first inspection.

4. Can I register a tent in the garden under the Home stay/Bungalow/Rented Home/Apartment scheme?

No, you can't. Guest must be accommo-dated in the main house and not in tents, caravans or motor homes in your garden or on the driveway of your property.

5. Can I rent my whole house out to guests that do not know each other?

No. If you are moving out of your property then you must rent the entire property to the same party at any one period. You cannot accept multiple guests who do not know each other.

6. What do I need to do for Bed & Breakfast Home stay/Bungalow?

A cooked breakfast or continental breakfast should be provided. It is recommended that you use local produce for your visitors.

7. I work fulltime. Can I provide all the necessary food for breakfast so the guests can cook it themselves?

Yes .That is absolutely fine. Just advise the guest at the time of booking that you will be providing a self-service breakfast.

8. What is the cost of registration and what does it cover?

The cost of registration is Rs. 1,000.00 +NBT+ VAT (including the inspection fee). Renewal fee of the license of the 2nd and 3rd years will be Rs.2,500.00+NBT+VAT. The renewal fee of license of the 4th year onwards will be Rs. 12,500.00+NBT+VAT.

9. How do I fix my rates?

The rates depend on the facilities & services that are available in the estaSblishment and it is advised to fix your own competitive rates. The officials of the Standards & Quality Assurance Division of SLTDA will advise during and after the inspection, at your request.

10. What if my property is open plan or quirky layout?

If you have any concerns regarding the layout of your property, you should discuss this with the officials of Standard & Quality Assurance division at Sri Lanka Tourism prior to an inspection.

11. Do I receive any financial assistance for improvements?

Yes. A special loan scheme is provided by Regional Development Bank (RDB) for this purpose. Please call 2302360.

12. Do I receive a certificate once I am registered?

Yes. The Sri Lanka Tourism will issue you with a registration certificate confirming that your property is suitable for home stay unit accommodation. You are advised to display the certificate in the reception area for guest information. In addition, you can display the logo of Home-Stay scheme.

13. What if you receive a complaint from a guest regarding my accommodation?

Should Sri Lanka Tourism receive a complaint from any guest in Home Stay/Bungalow/ Rented Home/Apartment accommodation, the complaint will be investigated and if found valid we reserves the right to cancel the registration and will insist that any future bookings are returned. Sri Lanka Tourism is dedicated to providing a quality service to all guests. As part of this commitment to quality, it is important you understand that as a provider of any of the above accommodation, you are an ambassador for the Sri Lanka Tourism. We would encourage you to take this role seriously and we like to offer and encourage all Home stay/Bungalow hosts the opportunity to take part in the training programs.

14. What happens if I am unhappy with the conduct of my guests?

The officials of Sri Lanka tourism are available to help and assist you. Nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable in their own home or that their property is not being treated with respect. However, we rarely receive a complaint of this nature as the majority of guests are grateful for somewhere to stay. If you are unhappy regarding the conduct of your guests it is imperative that you contact the officials of Standards & Quality Assurance division of Sri Lanka Tourism for advice whilst your guest is on the Island and we will do our best to help you.

15. How do I ensure that Home stay is a positive experience for me and my guests?

Sri Lanka tourism recommends that you treat your guests as you would like to be treated. Communication is of paramount importance. If you are registering for the first time, or accepting new guests that you have never met before, we would suggest you find out as much as you can about them prior to their arrival. This will make you both more comfortable. It will also protect you and your property. Always ensure you take all names, addresses and contact details of your guests, make arrangements for access to the property when they arrive, and find out if they have any allergies, food habits mobility problems or special requirements you need to know about. Home Stay Units, Bungalows and Rented Houses / Rented Apartments.

16. What are the booking procedures?

Once you have registered with Sri Lanka Tourism, all registered Home Stay providers (common to all three types under the scheme) are added to our Accommodation guide. Guests seeking accommodation will contact you directly to make a booking. It is your responsibility to take guests contact details, confirm arrival and departure dates and agree your terms. In addition, on-line reservation facility will be made available to tourists through the Home-Stay web site (www.srilankanhomestay.com).

17. How much deposit should I take and when should I collect the balance?

It is suggested that you request deposit to secure the booking of not more than 20% of the total cost. You must not request payment in full prior to arrival. Once you have received the deposit, you should acknowledge this to the guest either by letter or email. Guests should be request the final balance in cash on the day before the departure. If it is necessary guests should be allowed the opportunity to inspect the property first, to ensure they are happy before making any payment.

18. What if the guest does not pay?

Sri Lanka Tourism is only a facilitator to the Home Stay/Bungalow scheme and we can not be held responsible for non payment of guests. Any necessary Action would be the responsibility of the Home stay provider. This action would be through the courts as a civil action and instigated by the Home stay provider. It is therefore always advisable that you collect full names and addresses and contact details of all guests. Please note that, non-payment is an extremely rare occurrence provided you follow the guidelines above on securing payment.