1. All staff will be suitably trained to do their job competently, including full health & safety awareness.

2. The hostel must comply with all statutory requirements, local authority and fire regulations. Public liability insurance must be valid and certificated.

3. Buildings must be well maintained, with a comfortable level of heating and ventilation.

4. Good hygiene and cleanliness will be maintained throughout, with:

a. Clean effective showers, with hot water.

b. A minimum of 1 shower per 12 persons and a minimum of 1 toilet and wash hand basin per 10 persons.

c. Clean toilets, with wash-basin, hot water, soap and hand drying facility.

d. A well equipped self-catering, non-smoking kitchen with space to sit and eat, in a "non-smoking" room. Kitchen facilities shall be appropriate for the hostel usage, and there shall be space, utensils and equipment to allow a minimum of 25% capacity to prepare and cook meals, at one time. Kitchen and eating areas may be separate or combined. Storage space shall be ample for every guest to keep at least one day’s food hygienically and at safe temperature (refrigeration below 5°C, optimum 2-4°).

e. Clean and comfortable beds with freshly laundered bed linen or sheet sleeping bags and duvets or blankets available free or to hire.

Where facilities do not meet any of the above ratios, this must be identified in the SIH Blue Hostel Guide & website

5. Waste disposal and appropriate drying facilities will be provided, as well as consumables such as toilet paper, dishwashing soap, light bulbs and power.

6. Current overnight charges, including peak rates, must be prominently displayed. The standard rate must include use of kitchen, toilets, showers, bed and bedding. Customers must be able to use all the facilities to which their payment entitles them, and at the advertised times. Any additional charges and/or discounts must be made clear at the time of booking.

7. Hostel and all facilities should be available all day during the period of stay. However, if the hostel or any facilities cannot be made available all day or if there is any restriction in the times when guests can enter the building, this must be made known to the customer in advance if possible, otherwise at check in. Appropriate security must be in place.

8. The number of guests staying must not exceed the hostel capacity stated in the guide. There must be sufficient space within the bedrooms (including storage space) to allow occupants to move freely and exit unhindered, at all times. Beds must be of a suitable size and condition for their purpose.

9. All areas, including temporary or annexed, must comply with these standards.

10. Where local facilities exist, hostel owners should endeavour to run their hostels in an environmentally friendly way. This could include re-cycling glass, metal, paper & cardboard and using compost bins.

11. The SIH Customer Charter will be prominently displayed for customers to see and complaints regarding any failure to meet these standards will be acted upon. A copy of Essential Standards will be available on request for customers.

All hostels should comply in full with the above, however in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the SIH Management Committee, membership may be allowed provided any discrepancies are clearly stated in all advertising and publicity materials.