How to write a proof of accommodation letter
Someone staying at your address needs to prove it — for a bank, a school, a visa file, a benefits claim. The letter is short, but it has to be written by the right person and say the right things.
You, the host, write and sign it. Name yourself, name the person you host, give your address and the date they moved in, and state plainly that you accommodate them there. Attach a copy of your ID and a recent proof of your own address.
Fill in the free templateStep by step
- Say who you are
Your full name, your date and place of birth, and the address where you live. That address is what the letter is about.
- Say who you host
Their full name, their date and place of birth, and the date from which you have been hosting them.
- State the fact plainly
One sentence is enough: you declare that this person lives at your address. Add what the letter is for if the organisation asked you to.
- Sign, date and attach the proof
Sign it yourself, add the place and the date, and attach a copy of your identity document and a recent bill or statement in your name.
Who has to write it
The host, always. This is a statement about a fact you know first hand — someone lives under your roof — so it carries your name and your responsibility.
A letter written by the guest about themselves proves nothing, and organisations reject it on sight. If you are the guest, ask the person hosting you to write it.
What to attach
Nearly every organisation asks for two things alongside the letter: a copy of the host's identity document, and a recent proof of the host's address — usually a utility bill or a bank statement from the last three months.
Some ask for a copy of the guest's identity document as well. Check the list before sending: a missing attachment is the usual reason a file comes back.
How long it stays acceptable
Nothing in the letter expires, but organisations routinely refuse one older than three months, on the grounds that the situation may have changed since.
Write it when you need it rather than reusing an old one, and keep a copy of exactly what you sent.
Frequently asked questions
Does it need to be certified or notarised?
For everyday files, no: a signed letter with the attachments is what is asked for. Some visa and immigration procedures do require a certified version, and the instructions say so explicitly when they do.
Can I host someone who is not family?
Yes. A host can be a relative, a friend, a partner or a flatmate. The letter states a fact about where someone lives, not a relationship.
What if I rent my home?
You can still host someone, but your tenancy agreement may set conditions and some landlords ask to be told. Read your contract before you sign the letter.