Booking Policies

Important information for guests and hosts

Cancellation Policy

Guest vs Host Cancellations

Important: Different refund rules apply depending on who cancels the booking.

Guest Cancels

  • Follows cancellation policy (Flexible/Moderate/Strict/Super Strict)
  • May receive partial or no refund based on timing
  • $0.50 processing fee deducted from refund
  • Refund amount depends on cancellation timing

Host Cancels

  • Guest receives full refund (100%)
  • No fees deducted from refund
  • Includes accommodation cost, service fees, and taxes
  • Refund processed automatically

Guest Cancellation Policy

When you cancel your booking, the following policies apply based on the property's cancellation policy.

Available Cancellation Policies:
  • Flexible: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before check-in
  • Moderate: Free cancellation up to 5 days before check-in
  • Strict: Free cancellation up to 7 days before check-in
  • Super Strict: Free cancellation up to 14 days before check-in
Important Notes:
  • Your booking is subject to the cancellation policy that was active when you made your reservation
  • If the host changes their policy after your booking, your original policy still applies
  • No refunds are available after check-in time (3:00 PM on check-in day)
  • All refunds are subject to a $0.50 processing fee
Refund Processing Fees:
  • All refunds are processed minus a $0.50 processing fee
  • This fee is charged by our payment processor (Stripe) and is non-refundable
  • The processing fee is deducted from your refund amount
  • Example: $100 booking → Processing fee $0.50 → Refund amount $99.50
How to request a refund:
  • Use the "Cancel Booking" button in your booking dashboard
  • Or contact support at hello@truebookings.net
  • Refunds are processed within 5-10 business days to your original payment method

Host Cancellation

Hosts can cancel bookings in emergency situations, but this may affect their listing status and ratings.

Host cancellation policy:
  • Hosts must provide valid reasons for cancellation
  • Guests receive FULL REFUND (100%) when host cancels
  • No fees deducted - guest gets back everything they paid
  • Includes full refund of accommodation, service fees, and taxes
  • Hosts may face penalties for frequent cancellations
Guest Protection: When a host cancels your booking, you automatically receive a complete refund of all charges.

Extenuating Circumstances

In certain circumstances, we may allow cancellations outside of the standard policy.

Qualifying circumstances:
  • Natural disasters or severe weather events
  • Government travel restrictions or advisories
  • Serious illness or death in the family
  • Military deployment or government orders
  • Property safety issues or maintenance problems
Note: Documentation may be required to verify extenuating circumstances. Contact hello@truebookings.net for assistance.

Booking & Payment

Reservation Process

All bookings are confirmed instantly upon payment. No host approval is required - your reservation is immediately confirmed.

Booking confirmation:
  • Payment is processed immediately upon booking
  • Booking is confirmed instantly - no waiting for host approval
  • Guests receive confirmation email with property details
  • Host receives notification of the new booking
  • Host contact information is shared 24 hours before check-in

Payment & Fees

We charge a service fee to cover platform costs, payment processing, and customer support.

Fee structure:
  • Service fee: 12% of the total booking amount
  • Payment processing: Included in service fee
  • Security deposit: May be required by host (separate from booking fee)
  • Cleaning fee: Set by host (if applicable)
  • Refund processing fee: $0.50 per refund (deducted from refund amount)

Guest Eligibility & Verification

Age Requirements

All guests must meet minimum age requirements and provide valid identification.

Age and ID requirements:
  • Primary guest must be at least 18 years old
  • Valid government-issued photo ID required
  • ID must match the name on the booking
  • International guests must provide passport or equivalent

Account Verification

We may require additional verification to ensure the safety and security of our community.

Verification process:
  • Email address verification
  • Phone number verification
  • Government ID verification (when required)
  • Payment method verification

Guest Screening

We reserve the right to decline bookings from guests who may pose a risk to our community.

We may decline bookings for:
  • Previous violations of house rules or policies
  • Incomplete or inaccurate profile information
  • History of property damage or disruptive behavior
  • Failure to provide required verification documents

House Rules & Expectations

Guest Responsibilities

Guests are expected to respect the property and follow the host's house rules.

Guest guidelines:
  • Respect quiet hours and neighborhood rules
  • Keep the property clean and tidy
  • Report any damages immediately
  • Follow check-in and check-out procedures
  • Respect maximum guest limits
  • No smoking unless explicitly allowed
  • No parties or events without host permission

Host Responsibilities

Hosts must provide a safe, clean, and accurately described property.

Host requirements:
  • Provide accurate property descriptions and photos
  • Maintain clean and safe accommodations
  • Respond to guest inquiries within 24 hours
  • Provide clear check-in instructions
  • Address maintenance issues promptly
  • Respect guest privacy

Property Standards & Requirements

Property Quality Standards

All properties must meet our quality standards to ensure a positive guest experience.

Property requirements:
  • Clean and well-maintained accommodations
  • Accurate photos and descriptions
  • All advertised amenities must be functional
  • Reliable internet connection (if advertised)
  • Working heating and cooling systems
  • Clean linens and towels provided

Accessibility Standards

We encourage hosts to provide accessible accommodations when possible.

Accessibility features:
  • Wheelchair accessibility (when applicable)
  • Clear pathways and doorways
  • Accessible bathroom facilities
  • Visual and auditory accessibility features
  • Accurate accessibility information in listings

Property Maintenance

Hosts must maintain their properties to ensure guest safety and satisfaction.

Maintenance requirements:
  • Regular cleaning between guests
  • Prompt repair of reported issues
  • Regular safety equipment inspections
  • Seasonal maintenance and updates
  • Emergency contact availability

Safety & Security

Property Safety

All properties must meet basic safety standards and comply with local regulations.

Safety requirements:
  • Working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Fire extinguisher available
  • Emergency contact information provided
  • Safe electrical and plumbing systems
  • Clear emergency exit routes

Guest Safety

Guest safety is our top priority. Report any safety concerns immediately.

Emergency: In case of emergency, contact local emergency services (911 in the US) immediately, then contact our support team.

Community Standards & Anti-Discrimination

Equal Treatment Policy

We are committed to providing equal access to our platform for all users, regardless of their background or characteristics.

Protected characteristics:
  • Race, color, ethnicity, or national origin
  • Religion or religious beliefs
  • Gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation
  • Age or disability status
  • Marital status or family status
  • Political affiliation or beliefs

Host Responsibilities

Hosts must treat all guests equally and may not discriminate based on protected characteristics.

Host requirements:
  • Accept bookings from all qualified guests
  • Provide equal service to all guests
  • Use objective criteria for guest selection
  • Respect guest privacy and dignity
  • Report any discriminatory behavior

Guest Responsibilities

Guests must treat hosts and other community members with respect and dignity.

Guest expectations:
  • Respect host property and privacy
  • Follow all house rules and local laws
  • Communicate respectfully with hosts
  • Report any safety or discrimination concerns
  • Leave honest and constructive reviews

Reporting Discrimination

We take reports of discrimination seriously and investigate all claims thoroughly.

How to report:
  • Contact hello@truebookings.net immediately
  • Provide detailed information about the incident
  • Include any relevant documentation or evidence
  • We will investigate and take appropriate action
Note: False reports of discrimination are also a violation of our community standards and may result in account suspension.

Disputes & Resolution

Problem Resolution

We're here to help resolve any issues that may arise during your stay.

Resolution process:
  • Contact host first for immediate issues
  • Contact our support team for unresolved issues
  • Document all problems with photos and descriptions
  • We may mediate disputes between guests and hosts
  • Refunds may be provided for valid complaints

Review Policy

Honest reviews help our community. Reviews must be based on actual experiences.

Review guidelines:
  • Reviews must be based on actual stays
  • No personal attacks or inappropriate content
  • Reviews are moderated for accuracy
  • Both guests and hosts can leave reviews

Taxes & Fees

Tax Collection

Taxes may be collected on bookings depending on local regulations and host requirements.

Tax information:
  • Local taxes may be added to booking totals
  • Tax rates vary by location and property type
  • Taxes are calculated and displayed before booking
  • Hosts are responsible for tax compliance
  • Guests may be required to pay taxes upon arrival

Additional Fees

Additional fees may apply to your booking depending on the property and services. All fees are set by the individual host.

Common additional fees (typical amounts):
  • Security deposit: Typically $500 (refundable, returned within 7 days if no damages)
  • Cleaning fee: Typically $100 (one-time fee)
  • Pet fee: Typically $75 (if pets are allowed)
  • Extra guest fee: Typically $25 per person per night (beyond base occupancy)
  • Early check-in fee: Typically $50 (if available)
  • Late check-out fee: Typically $50 (if available)
Note: All fees are set by individual hosts and may vary by property. Check the property listing for specific fees before booking.

Payment Processing

All payments are processed securely through our payment partners.

Payment details:
  • Payments processed through Stripe
  • Secure encryption for all transactions
  • Multiple payment methods accepted
  • Automatic currency conversion available
  • Payment receipts provided for all transactions
  • Refund processing fee: $0.50 per refund (deducted from refund amount)

Legal & Compliance

Local Regulations

All bookings must comply with local laws and regulations, including short-term rental ordinances.

Compliance requirements:
  • Hosts must have proper permits and licenses
  • Properties must meet local safety codes
  • Tax collection and reporting requirements
  • Zoning and land use regulations

Privacy Policy

We protect your personal information and use it only for booking-related purposes.

Data protection:
  • Personal information is encrypted and secure
  • Payment information is processed securely
  • We don't sell your personal data
  • You can request data deletion at any time

Need Help?

Customer Support: hello@truebookings.net

Emergency: Contact local emergency services first, then our support team

Host Support: hello@truebookings.net

Response Time: We typically respond within 24 hours