About Hosting on Houfy
There are 2 ways to do this:
1) Log in > Menu > My Listings > Edit listing > Verifications: add your video url & select youtube/video link or other
or: and VERY practical:
2) Create a "Houfy guidebook": Guidebooks provide a helpful way to group related posts and or stories together (in this case videos), and to quickly inform readers what the posts & stories are about. Guidebooks make it easier for people to find content in a grouped form.
- Log in > Menu > Guidebooks > Create a guidebook
Name the guidebook, add a description, picture, location etc. You can always edit/remove the guidebook
- Create a post and add the url of the video you wish to share. (A post is a simple post; you can add text/pictures & 1 url)
- Or much better: Write a Story and add as many urls as you wish. (A story is much more than a simple post; you can embed multiple url's as well as add highlights and change formats) - This page you are reading right now is made with Write a Story - in this case about How to add a video to my listing(s)
- Post the post or story to the Houfeed
- After posting, Bookmark the post or story to the "video" guidebook you made earlier
- Last step: add the guide to your listing(s): Menu > My listings > Guidebooks > and change from NO to YES
Preview your listing and your guide should show with the post(s) or story(s) in there
You can make guidebooks about anything: Activities - Events - Restaurants - Weather - Video's etc. Think what you would like to know when you visit a place. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a perfect set of guidebooks (recommendations) from the owner ready for you to explore.
At Houfy you can easily edit the guidebooks, posts and stories whenever you want. Try something new at Houfy and have look at some popular guidebooks to give you ideas.
Thank you, T & S
Larger properties booked for family or group gatherings usually require stricter policies.
Owners or managers often require:
- A larger reservation deposit due (50% or more due at reservation date)
- An earlier balance payment due date before the arrival date (90-60 days before arrival)
- And stricter cancellation policies
Rebooking larger properties often requires more effort for owners/managers compared to smaller properties.
At Houfy as an owner/manager you can set your own policies:
My Listings > Edit > Settings > Payment information
Hosts can create a personalized web address to direct people to their listing with a custom link.
A custom link gives you a better chance your guests remembering and finding your listing in the future. As a result, you can capture more repeat bookings and grab the attention of new guests.
Log in > Menu > My Listings > Custom Link
Another way would be to go to your profile:
Menu > Profile > View Profile
Houfy is a platform designed to take full control of your property(s). Your place Your rules.
Houfy is work in progress and is still very much being designed as we write this. Houfy is a project FREE for anyone to use and does NOT charge fees/listing fees/commissions. Houfy does as of right now NOT earn any funds and does NOT have the 100s of Millions needed to market listings worldwide.
Houfy is a grass roots movement to promote direct bookings without "service" fees/commissions.
This requires owners and managers to promote their listings themselves.
Why do some members get bookings and others not? Here some examples:
- Updated price/pictures/text ----------> Outdated pictures/pricing/text
- Updated Calendar -------------> Outdated calendar
- Connected to Stripe/Square --------------> Did not connect a payment method
- Use the Houfy booking/messaging system -----------> Forward inquiries to my own website
- Market my Houfy listing ---------------> I do not market/share my Houfy listing(s)
- Spend 15-30 minutes a week on Houfy --------------> Hoping something will happen
What can you do?
Spend a little time on Houfy and share your listing socially/with friends/previous clients. Find out what others are doing to get bookings and Houfy dances in our Facebook Group. Ask questions and GO For IT! 🙂
To hide your listing on the Houfy marketplace:
Log in > Menu > Manage listings > Hide
To remove your listing from Houfy:
Log in > Menu > Manage listings > Remove
How to Avoid Scams on Vacation Rentals
If you are new to renting or renting from a new owner, here is some information to help. If you don't know the owner or if if the aren't recommended by someone you trust, be careful. To protect yourself, consumer advocates suggest:
1. Pay with a secure method, like a credit card, that allows for dispute resolution. NEVER WIRE FUNDS. If the owner ask you to wire money to a bank. Run.
2. Use a site that verifies the owners, like Houfy.com or use a management company or realtor you trust.
3. Research the property to see if it is listed elsewhere. Search the address and property tax records to see if you are actually communicating with the REAL owner. Beware of properties that are for sale or foreclosure.
4. Talk to the contact on the phone, NOT by text or email. You should be able to find them on Facebook, Linkedin, or other social or professional sites.
5. Check out Google maps to see if the neighborhood and house match the pictures.
6. If the deal seems too good to be true, it is! A deal is only a deal if it is real. And usually it isn't
Tiki House Pensacola Beach has been used in scams in the past. We try hard to protect our potential guests from scammers, but we can't be everywhere, all the time. If you suspect a vacation rental home is being used as a scam, contact the owner and let them know. You could potentially save many people a lot of many and grief!
HOUFY is currently free for basic listings.
Featured listings & Last minute specials
A featured listings or last minute specials significantly increase your chances to be seen. You can expect to pay around $3 to 4 a day depending on your location. You will have to keep renewing your bid monthly if you want to hold onto the benefits of the upgrade.
- Your listing will be highlighted in another color that stands out.
- Your listing will be shown at the top of the search results as well as being amongst all the other properties, meaning double exposure!
- Featured listings and last minute specials improve attention and click-throughs by 50%.
- Chances to be seen on our homepage and/or destination pages if available.
Embed tools package (TBA: Approx: $139 per year or 13.99 per month)
Get included in weekly Houfy e-mails - To be programmed
Website creation - (TBA: Approx: $139 a year or 13.99 per month) - Click here to view samples.
Please be advised we are improving Houfy daily. To learn more: Join us @ Say Yes to Houfy on Facebook!
To add your listing from Airbnb or VRBO use this link:
With a little due diligence and homework, you can save yourself the embarrassing predicament of being scammed. But if you are, it isn't necessarily all your fault. Scammers are smart, crafty, and innovative. I have often thought that if they put as much thought and effort into a legitimate enterprise as they do into scamming people, they would find honest success. Read below for information from some the country's leading consumer advocates to help you avoid being taken advantage of by crooks.
WIRE TRANSFER? O.K. or Not O.K.
Clark Howard gives advice on scams. Be wary of wire transfers. But keep in mind some legitimate owners may still use them. Never wire money to ANYONE you have not met or trust completely. You will NEVER get it back, EVER. And the police can't help you. Be your own judge.
CRAIGSLIST OR OTA? Which is legit?
Even on OTAs the house can be a scam.
It cost nothing to list on Craigslist. So it is a favorite and low risk choice of scammers. Right after purchasing our Vacation Rental, and talking to renters that had booked with the previous owner, I was asked, "Will there be a bunch of people showing up everyday saying they rented the house while we are there?" I was appalled! How horrible for the guests AND those cheated out of their vacations! So I asked a few questions and found that all of those scammed originated on Craigslist.
After some quick searching, I found our rental listed at least 3 times, by 3 different scammers.
I began a long and never-ending campaign to fight back. We continue to win each battle, but it takes time and effort that many don't have. Be aware that on Craigslist, the rental opportunity may or may not be real! These scammers even set up fake recommendations, and use the real owner's name and rental agreement. Anything you have thought of to verify, they have too.
Some more advice from the pros:
- Talk in PERSON or ON THE PHONE! Don't rely on text or email or messaging systems. Scammers don't want to talk to you. They can't answer questions about the house without research and it is hard to pretend they are someone else over the phone. And if they won't talk, walk away. Many sites like Expedia group sites (like Vrbo and HomeAway) and AirBnB don't allow you to speak with owners until you book. That is one reason they only allow using a credit card to book. It doesn't always protect you, but can help you recapture funds if you act fast.
- Use a credit card. But be aware of credit card fraud. To protect yourself, never give out your credit card number. Insist on using a 3rd party processor like PayPal or Stripe. But even scammers know this and use credit card processors. They just act quickly to move money from account to account so that the fraud can't be traced or the money recaptured. Check with your credit card company for their policies and do your checking up with owners as soon as you can connect. If they ignore your requests to talk, cancel and call the credit card company quickly to recapture the charge.
- Once you get connected, ask questions about the property you can see in pictures on the listing or on Google Maps. If the "owner" can't answer without hesitation, or puts you off (while looking it up online), be suspicious. Simple questions like, "How many can the dining room table seat?" or "How many burners does the stove have?" can be answered easily by the real owner, but maybe overlooked by a scammer. Ask several questions that you already know the answer to.
- Use a legitimate site to book. Houfy verifies owners, but not all do. Even Vrbo and AirBnb don't always verify the owners. A new listing with no reviews and many unprofessional typos can mean that it hasn't been verified yet. Always be careful. Look at reviews, and judge if you believe they are legitimate or fake. Many rentals have a website or Facebook page too. Check the internet for the real site by searching by image. Right click on a picture and you may search everywhere the image shows up. If other sites have different owners listed, or different numbers, contact them all and alert them. Legitimate owners will get the fakes removed.
- Avoid being scammed by a real owner, but a misrepresented listing. Reviews are essential in this. Everyone has heard of the shipping crate that was advertised as an AirBnB in Amsterdam. Close ups shots of nice bedding, with no outside shots, meant that it appeared to be a nice place to stay. But do you really want your "private bathroom" to be a porta-potty? Pictures can be deceiving. Look at them with a skeptical eye. And ask questions.
- Most owners are real and their properties are too. But occasionally you may run into an unscrupulous owner who doesn't follow best practices. This means the owner may change pricing once you arrive and demand more money, try to put you in a different condo or home than was advertised, or change the terms of the rental. Having a rental agreement that lists the terms of the rental, amenities included and the address and/or condo number is essential to protect you. If they don't have one, or their listing doesn't specify the number, ask for verification BEFORE you finalize your reservation. Some owners of multiple properties or property managers have been known to use their BEST properties as bait. Be sure the property you are renting is the one you think you are renting. Of course, things happen and a property you rented may be unavailable due to accident or repair issues. But the honest owner or manager will always contact you immediately and offer either an upgrade, or refund with their explanation. If you feel scammed, notify the platform you used and leave an honest, factual review.
- If it is too good to be true, than it is too good to be true. Use open records and internet searches to find the information you need to verify the address, identity, and quality of your prospective rental. But most of all, verify the good deal is still inline with the market. When a scammed guest showed up to our rental during prime rental season, they thought they had gotten the deal of a lifetime. They saw it listed for five times what the scammer was asking for. They communicated by text message with him and thought he was just a compassionate and caring person who wanted to do them a huge favor. They traveled 1,500 miles, across the country, to show up to a home that wasn't available. Their "good deal" meant they were out the money they paid, and ended up paying even more to find accommodations. Not a deal at all. They had a fake rental agreement, copies of emails through Craigslist, bank wire receipts, all brought with them due to a "gut feeling" as the scammer was no longer returning calls and the number was no longer in service. The police were unable to help. Do your homework and trust your gut.
If you are looking for a great vacation rental, for the best price, use Houfy. There are no service fees and you have direct communication with verified owners.
While most reservations will go smoothly as planned, there may be times when you'll be asked to produce a signed Rental Agreement. Even hotels have you sign an agreement at check in, at the same time they ask for your ID and credit card. Agreements can be signed manually or digitally–and both methods are legally upheld in the courts.
Most owners allow guests to reserve dates by clicking "I agree" to their online sample contract, along with a partial or full payment amount. Then the reservation is officially confirmed, as soon as the signed agreement is returned.
Know Your Local Laws
If you aren't already familiar with your local laws, go ahead and start learning them now. A short term Rental Agreement will differ from a long term tenant lease. First, find out if a Rental Agreement is required for short term rentals in your area. Your local laws may require specific information to be included in the agreement.
For example, North Carolina is governed by the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act. This Act spells out owner obligations, guest protections, and what clauses must be included within the agreement. Regulations will vary among different states and jurisdictions.
Potential Lawsuits
If you ever need to sue a guest in court, or are named as the defendant in a lawsuit, the first thing the attorneys or judge will want to see is the Rental Agreement. If your insurance company becomes involved, they too will ask for this information and will review your agreement's clauses and disclaimers.
This is why it's highly recommended to have an attorney draft your agreement, as they can review your insurance policy and determine the types of language your agreement should contain.
Assuming you have the proper liability insurance, it's also important to speak with your insurance company to determine what required documents are needed if you ever need to file a claim. Will your insurance company pay out a "loss of income" claim based on past reservations printouts? Or will they require an actual signed agreement between you and the guest?
An attorney is well worth the cost–and a solid Rental Agreement along with the proper insurance, can actually dissuade potential lawsuits.
Credit Card Dispute
If one of your guests ever files a credit card chargeback, you may be asked to produce a legally signed Rental Agreement. Often times, credit card companies will not acknowledge a "click to accept" (checkbox) as a legitimate cardholder signature.
Additionally, you may be asked to prove the cardholder is the same person who signed the agreement. This is why it's a good idea to always ask for the cardholder's ID after booking.
The card companies also have specific policies of how the merchant (you) must present certain information to the cardholder. For example, they may require that the guest's initials or signature are close to the stated cancellation policy, and may not consider a single signature on the last page to be sufficient.
Depending on the chargeback person assigned to your case, the checkbox acknowledgement may be acceptable, but why take the chance?
Not only should local law and insurance requirements be considered, but the card companies' policies as well. Below are sample agreements that other Houfy members have given permission for anyone to use. Feel free to take parts from any or all, and customize your own.
Do not rely on any of these samples as "legal documents" that will meet all of your needs. It's also a good idea to take notes of applicable sections you like, and bring them to your attorney for review.
- Menu
- Manage Listings
Another way is to preview your listing and scroll down to the bottom of your pa
If logged out or wish to see another member's listing views: Click on the listing and scroll to the very bottom to see total views.
After Clicking the Sign up to earn points link, recipient will be directed to the main sign up page.
- Click top right down arrow to display Drop-down Menu>Refer & Invite>Refer Hosts.
- Copy URL link and send directly or click Share button.
There are several ways to share your link from Houfy.
If sending via email, the recipient will receive this.
What Can Someone Do With Points?
Nothing at the moment. Houfy is currently running tests to see what works and what doesn't. There may be future opportunities to use points for things such as having your property featured for a short period of time, etc.
New Host Getting Started Checklist
Invite Friends, Family, and Guests to Houfy
You can see the number of views you have had of your Houfy listing near the bottom of your listing page.
You can also set up Google Analytics to track and get more detailed Houfy activity and insights.
Log in > go to your listings > click on the left top picture of your place
Click on Share
Click on Copy Link
Paste at Houfy
Your listing address bar may display your long URL link. Below is an example screenshot of the long url you may see. If the long URL doesn't work try deleting ALL TEXT after and including the ? symbol.
Absolutely! Book direct is all about open communication. Phone numbers and inquiry emails are never blocked nor hidden. This means you and the traveler get to freely communicate before accepting a reservation.
Unlike other platforms, Houfy encourages its hosts to know who is staying in their property. You are free to require a copy of ID and signed rental agreement from guests if you wish. It's entirely up to you!
A common misconception new hosts have, is the major platforms "screen" their guests for them. You'll often read forum comments like this:
"Airbnb will remove guests if they refuse to leave at check out."
"Airbnb will break up a party for me."
"Airbnb's attorneys will defend me in court if I have to sue a guest."
Unfortunately, none of this is true. Hosts often feel duped once they realize they have no ID information to provide the police, and Airbnb won't share the info with the host.
The name on the confirmation might say Paul Jones or Kermit.
Or it could just be the letter "Z."
But were Paul, Kermit, or Z–ever even at the property? Who knows..
Maybe their friend Beatrice stayed instead.
Surely Airbnb will help! After all, they "verify" IDs...right?
If you've ever called Airbnb to ask for your guest's ID information, you were likely declined the information due to "privacy" reasons.
Do your own due diligence and follow these best practices when accepting reservations.
1. Have a clear visitor policy
Travelers will often book, assuming they can invite over as many friends as they want. Include a visitor policy like this one in your rental agreement. Have the guest sign and acknowledge the visitor policy, in addition to signing the rental agreement.
2. Communicate and ask questions
Ask questions if you need more details before accepting a reservation. Just message or call the traveler! Click on your Houfy messaging inbox to pull up the booking inquiry/request. Or make a quick phone call–especially if the booking is time sensitive and another traveler can book the dates.
3. Make clear house rules
Travelers must agree to your house rules when sending an inquiry. Discourage partiers and event holders by placing rules like "no gatherings" etc. near the top of the list. Travelers who plan to party will likely skip over your listing.
3. Get a signed rental agreement
Hosts aren't required to upload an agreement, but if you have one, travelers must agree to it when sending an inquiry. I recommend putting the agreement in the credit card holder's name. Feel free to use any wording from these sample rental agreements. Here is a quick 2 minute read of why you should have guests sign a rental agreement.
4. Ask for ID
It's a good idea to collect ID and note it in your house rules if it's required. It's up to you how you want to go about collecting ID. I recommending requesting ID of the credit card holder. Some hosts only ask for ID of the guest who books, while others require ID of all group members. Here is an excellent blog post about why you should be asking for guest Id after booking.
But what about guest reviews?
While guest reviews can be very helpful, it's best not to blindly rely on them. A guest traveling with grandparents may be a 5 star angel, but with his college buddies, turns into a 1 star devil. The majority of platforms don't let hosts write guest reviews. Even Vrbo only allows a star rating with no written text. There's no shortage of Airbnb hosts who relied on previous 5 star reviews, only to discover the guest trashed their home.
It depends how badly you want to encourage travelers to book direct on Houfy. Keep in mind, one of the major reasons travelers are drawn to direct book is to bypass the high rates and fees charged on the other platforms.
Many hosts keep rates the same across all platforms: Airbnb, Vrbo, and Houfy. They prefer their most attractive rates to be on Houfy. And since they have to pay Airbnb and Vrbo 3%, they consider the 3% to Stripe or Square the cost of doing business. Not to mention, they get paid sooner when a traveler books on Houfy.
Here are some reasons why hosts choose to have the most attractive rates on Houfy:
- Airbnb can refund guests on day of arrival, even after holding the calendar for months. Some hosts consider this policy too risky.
- They prefer guests recommend Houfy to friends and family versus their Airbnb listing. When travelers book on Airbnb, it gives Airbnb even more leverage than they already have.
- Airbnb bookings tend to be time-consuming. Navigating the red tape and dealing with runarounds is something they want to avoid if possible.
- Airbnb is not host-friendly when it comes to allowing hosts to get signed rental agreements or ID. On Houfy, they can easily do this.
- Hosts with pet-free listings worry about guests bringing emotional support cats.
Many hosts refuse to open their prime calendar weeks on Airbnb. Instead, they only list their shoulder weeks or off season dates. And they increase rates by at least 10%, just to make up for the hassles of Airbnb policies.
Here is one way some hosts reduce credit card costs:
Allow a small reservation deposit by credit card. Require the balance by check. The traveler won't worry about losing dates, and your calendar won't be blocked while waiting for payment to be made.
Checks need time to clear so this works best for properties that book at least 45 days in advance. Here is how to set this up on Houfy:
- Go to Manage Listings > Settings > Payment & Policies.
- Describe your policy in the Payment Policy section and note when the check payment is due. If you allow the balance to be paid by credit card (if the guest pays the fees), note this as well.
- Select your reservation deposit amount. This can be a fixed $ amount, or a percentage of the total booking, such as 15%.
- Set the final payment due date.
- Update your rental agreement to reflect any changes. Consider reiterating the check payment in the cancellation policy and house rules as well.
The more places noted, the less chance your policies will be overlooked. If the person just left Airbnb, your Houfy listing might only be skimmed. Note: Always check your state's laws before charging consumers credit card fees. Some states make it illegal.
If you do want to charge more on Houfy, I highly suggest not charging a separate percentage fee, but increase your rates instead. Remember, the host still pays the credit card fee even if it's a separate line item. It's just semantics to say the guest pays it. The only time the guest pays the fee is when they have a choice to choose a lesser rate.
You can charge extra fees on your Houfy listing: Menu > Manage Listings > Edit > Pricing > Rates and Fees.
This comparison of Square and Stripe will save you hours of research.
Listing your property for FREE on Houfy! - an innovative marketplace that allows members to book and connect directly, without paying service fees.
Here a few reasons why you should join Houfy:
- Houfy does not charge owners or guests commissions nor listing fees for basic listings
- Guest payments are not withheld. Connect with Stripe or Square on Houfy to receive payment at time of booking
- Travelers do not pay booking fees. Send departing guests your Houfy listing so they don't have to pay service fees on their next stay
- To gain independence & maintain total control of your property
- To communicate directly with your prospective renters via phone, text or email so you can vet them before they book and make sure your rental is a good fit for them
- Houfy provides you with a search engine the way things used to be—with full transparency. Houfy shows exact pricing when searched with dates
- You will not be penalized in search results for not having flexible policies or instant book
- Guests abide by your set policies; Houfy does not override your cancellation policies
- Create local guides that you and your guests can share on social media. You don't even have to list a property on Houfy in order to use these FREE tools
- Houfy is a great tool in addition to your own website; we offer calendar, quote, reviews and pricing widgets as well!
- Use your Houfy listing as a website to link to your Google Business Listing or Facebook page & be found on Houfy for travelers who google your property to avoid paying service fees
Adding your listing into Houfy is extremely simple! You can do this by using our import tool or by manually adding your listing.
- Import your listing from AirBnB or VRBO - use the import tool to add your listing to our network in less than 10 seconds. This will import you entire listing except for the Calendar and Rates.
- Set pricing - this is necessary to activate your listing and please complete the rates, seasons, booking cut off date, etc.
- Import your Calendar & sync with the other sites. You will only import your calendar this one time. Moving forward Houfy automatically syncs the calendars every 6 HRS. You can also manually sync, by clicking on the sync icon. Airbnb Video VRBO video
- Sync reviews - if you imported reviews from your ABB listing, then you may need to sync reviews with VRBO, and vice versa. You will need to periodically click on the sync icon in order to update the review sync. This is not automatic. - Video Link
- Set up Payments: Houfy has Stripe and Square options integrated. Sign up with those or set up your own method of accepting payment
- Verify your listing is completed
Otherwise manually upload your listing.
- Overview - Room Details - Location - Amenities - Suitability - Verifications
- Photos - Please view this article about moving your photos
- Pricing - Please be advised, we need a price to be activated on our marketplace. For more information: click here
- Reviews: You can import/export reviews
- Activities - Please select the activities which are available to your guests near your property
- Calendar - Please sync your calendar
Adding Profile details
- Verify phone number, email, and upload a profile pic
Why is all of this necessary? Because Houfy isn't going to allow outdated listings, unverified profiles etc. You need to be prepared to accept a booking request. Starting around April 1st, incomplete listings will be hidden from the marketplace.
Join our Facebook group:
Be part of the solution: Join our Facebook Member Group and get the latest insights and updates. Houfy uses powerful programs which can easily be changed to any of your wishes/suggestions.
And join our Houfy Vacation rentals group:
How do you become one? What are the requirements? And why should you?
Wonderful Houfies are hosts on Houfy who actively participate in the growth of our platform and the bookdirect movement with perfectly updated listings and profiles.
What are the requirements?
Updated Listing(s):
- Completed Listing(s): Description/Location/Photo & Base Price
- Room Details/Sleeping arrangements filled in
- Added Amenities
- Added Suitability
- Double Verification (All listings on Houfy are being re-verified)
- Minimum of 5 Photos
- Pricing: Booking Cut Off date at least 1 year out
- Updated pricing for seasons/dates/weekends etc.
- 5 Quality Reviews (from Airbnb/Homeaway sites)
- Synced/Updated Calendar
Updated Profile: (Most new members had to verify e-mail/phone)
- Full first name & Last name (We hide last names on Houfy)
- Verified e-mail (You can hide this information at Settings)
- Verified phone (You can hide at Settings)
- Profile picture
- Where you are from
- Profile text about yourself
Please make sure all the above information is filled in and corrected before requesting the Wonderful Houfie badge for your profile!
To request:
Please join Say Yes to Houfy on Facebook and search for "Wonderful Houfie" - add your listing number or Houfy listing url and we will review your profile.
Alternatively: Please send us an e-mail with Subject Wonderful Houfie with your Houfy listing number/url to: info@houfy.com
To remain a "Wonderful Houfie" in the future you will need:
- At least 20 views on your listing per month (counted per new IP) starting June 1, 2020 (This to keep promoting the bookdirect movement)
What do you get out of this?
- "Wonderful Houfies" will be able to participate in Houfy contests and win fantastic prices. (Amazon Gift certificates and Houfy gear) - The first contest of 2020 is expected later in May or in June
- Listings of "Wonderful Houfies" will be ranked higher in search results
- Listings of "Wonderful Houfies" will be shown on our home pages and destination pages
Thanks T & S
Showing responsiveness encourages Houfy members to message fast; this is why we show response time and response rate on your listing to communicate how quickly and consistently you respond to messages to potential guests.
- Your response time is the median time you took to respond to new messages in the last 3 messages.
- Your response rate is the percentage of new messages you responded of the last 3 messages.
You can improve your response time and response rate by replying to new customer messages on Houfy or from the email notification as soon as possible.
How to add a co-host for the listing on Houfy
- Edit listing -> Contact person
- Click Add a co-host
- Enter the email address which your co-host used while creating an account on Houfy or will use to create an account on Houfy
- Your co-host will receive an email from Houfy to sign up or log in to become a co-host.
- Once they sign up or log in to Houfy, they see the link to accept co-host invitation on Houfy.
- Once you accept the invite, you become a co-host.
Co-host can see co-hosted listings at Right menu > Listings > Co-hosted listings.
Ask yourself this:
"What percentage of bookings will be generated solely by my own website in one year, two years, three years?" Only a handful of hosts can truthfully say 100% of bookings will come from their own website. The majority will continue to rely upon the OTAs (online travel agencies).
Airbnb will likely move hosts to a 15% commission model–and we all know Vrbo follows whatever Airbnb does. Booking.com charges a minimum of 15%; that doesn't even include the host's credit card fees.
TripAdvisor quietly adds up to 16% extra to the owner's nightly rates. Expect the major OTAs (online travel agencies) to eliminate traveler service fees altogether, with all of them charging a minimum of 18% (to include credit card processing).
Now, think about this...
IF your website only generates 50% of your bookings, which platform do you want to supplement the other 50%? One that wants a 15% cut of your revenue and overrides your own policies?
It's always been touted to never send a traveler to a 3rd party site, only to book your competition instead. But Houfy is different. It's not just a listing site–it's a movement.
Think long term. Start promoting your preferred booking channel in tandem with your own website brand.
Unlike the OTAs, Houfy isn't out to exploit owners. Instead, Houfy has given us the freedom to take back control of our properties. Align yourself with others who share a similar vision and goals.
Each new person (traveler or host) who joins Houfy, brings us all one step closer to breaking free of the OTA chains. Collective efforts always outperform individual ones. But in order for people to use and add their inventory to Houfy, they first need to know it exists.
Tell Both Hosts and Travelers About Houfy
Talking about Houfy shouldn't be reserved for just your hosting groups. In order for Houfy to succeed, it needs the inventory...right?
The more inventory, the more travelers will shop on the site. And the more likely they will use the site again in the future.
With the recent industry explosion, almost everyone knows of a friend, family member, or co-worker who is also a host. You never know when a traveler inquiring through your own website is also a host themselves. Or maybe your incoming guest lists their property on another platform.
Many hosts advertise their availability in facebook book direct groups. Imagine if all of us posted something like this:
Book Great Retreat Cabin directly on our website or on Houfy's book direct market network. SAVE BIG and skip the excessive traveler fees from those other sites.
Other owners and travelers would repeatedly hear the name Houfy and eventually check out the site. This is the quickest way to help add inventory to Houfy, while simultaneously promoting your own brand. It's a win-win!
Start to view each traveler and guest as a potential opportunity for another property to be listed on Houfy. And who knows–that next traveler may be a realtor with 50 properties to add.
Houfy Members Are Not the Competition
Begin to think of other Houfy members as your allies. The real competition is the OTAs–not each other.
A traveler has already found your website and was interested enough to send an inquiry. What are the chances your property perfectly meets the needs of their group? I don't know about you, but I don't always hear back from travelers after answering their questions.
Maybe my place wasn't in their budget, they needed more bedrooms, or just preferred a location closer to downtown.
By not providing travelers options, they'll likely find their way to one of the listing sites you don't want to be using in the future. Wouldn't you rather a Houfy member receive the booking, versus a host on Airbnb?
And even if your property is the perfect match, most people still shop around just to see what else is out there.
Don't be afraid to direct your website inquirers to shop around on Houfy in case your property doesn't meet their needs. Chances are they'll return to book your place anyway. Plus, they'll appreciate you shared helpful tips of how they can save money–even if they didn't choose your property this time.
Introduce Departing Guests to Houfy
Have you ever had a repeat guest contact you but the dates were already taken? I have. But often repeat guests don't reach out once they see the dates are not available. Or, maybe their group is larger this time, and they need an extra bedroom you can't provide anyway.
Travelers often book multiple vacation rentals throughout the year and use the same platform they booked through last time.
When thanking your departing guests for choosing your property, tell them they can save money by either booking directly on your website, or directly on Houfy. This conveys that Houfy is a marketplace to find other properties as well.
When they go to book their next vacation, hopefully they'll remember you mentioned Houfy doesn't charge traveler fees. I don't get many repeat guests, so my departing guests' "next" time may be a booking for your property on Houfy.
What Goes Around Comes Around
All of us will have our turn benefiting from another member who recommended Houfy. You may receive a booking because of me. And vice versa, I will one day receive a booking because of you.
But if I only promote my own website, and my neighbors only promote theirs, the only people hearing about Houfy are those in online forums and friend circles.
Promoting Houfy alongside your own website, in no way takes away from you building your own unique brand. There's room for both. And travelers will remember both brands!
But no one benefits (except the OTAs), when we keep Houfy a secret for fear a traveler might book our competition.
Compare Insurance Quotes and Get the Best Quote
You never know what will happen before you take your vacation! Whether one stop or multiple ports of call, find the best options for you. And always check with your credit card company for any insurance they offer when using it to pay! But if it isn't enough for you and your needs, get more. This is YOUR responsibility, and no one else's. The large OTAs offer insurance, but it is often not worth the money as they have so many stipulations where it isn't valid.
And you can sometimes buy the same policy online for less!
Insuremytrip.com will allow you to find the best options.
Don't forget to insure your trip AND get the best service with direct contact at Houfy!
If you are regularly renting out a vacation home or investment property, this would also require a landlord or rental dwelling policy. ... The policy also includes liability coverage; if a tenant or one of their guests gets hurt on the property, it would cover legal fees and medical expenses.
Having Short-Term Rental Insurance makes all the difference. When someone short-term rents a property on Airbnb or VRBO they are a guest and the owner needs short-term rental insurance coverage. Without adequate short-term rental insurance, you're exposing yourself financially to liability and property damage issues.
Airbnb also provides a free “host guarantee” that covers damage to the host's home or property caused by a guest, up to $1 million, subject to numerous terms and conditions. But this is not insurance, and Airbnb states that it “should not be considered a replacement or stand-in for homeowners or renters insurance.”
VRBO will continue to look at options to further protect owners against the unexpected challenges involved with managing a vacation rental. Please note, $1M Liability Insurance does not cover damage caused by a traveler to your own property.
Feel free to use any parts of the rental agreements below. These are ONLY examples to give you ideas for content. It's best to work with an attorney who is well-versed in short term rental regulations, insurance, etc.
Need an Agreement Right Now? Use The Site Below for an Emergency Agreement and Other Helpful Info.
This sample template is not any kind of legal advice. Make sure your attorney reviews any rental agreement you create.
John Smith,
Thank you for choosing our home for your vacation. The property is located at:
222 Vacation Road.
Lake Sewer, FL 28756
Phone: 555-555-5555
Your confirmation is as follows:
Check-in date: Saturday, May 25th, 2019 (after 4pm EST)
Check-out date: Monday, May 27th, 2019 (no later than 11am EST)
Number of guests allowed: 4
Pet Policy: No pets allowed. This is a pet-free property.
Visitor Policy: Any day/night visitors must be approved by owner, and maximum number of guest/visitors combined is six persons (this includes infants and children). Additional overnight guest/visitors are $20 each per day.
Refundable Damage Deposit: Waived as long as credit cardholder agrees that ALL members of the rental party (and any visitors) will have read entire arrival guidebook and departure checklist. Please let us know if you prefer to pay a $250 damage deposit instead.
I acknowledge and understand the Pet Policy, Visitor Policy, and Damage Deposit Policy:
Signature: ______________________________________________
One hundred percent of rental rate, turnover clean fee, refundable damage deposit, applicable lodging taxes, and signed rental agreement must be received to confirm reservation.
Rental rate:
Nightly rate (4 nights) $300 each night $1,200
Additional persons ($20 each per night) $0
Turnover Clean per reservation $125
Damage deposit waived $-0-
Total collected by us $1,325
FL lodging tax collected by Airbnb (13%) $172.25
Airbnb Traveler Service Fee $188.15
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policy is NO refunds. Once dates are taken off the market, they become unavailable to other renters. With owner approval, guest may find a replacement renter or gift their dates (not future dates) to someone else. Guest MUST cancel the original reservation before owner will assist in trying to rebook the dates. I acknowledge and understand the Cancellation Policy:
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
It is highly recommended guest purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance in case of family emergencies/bad weather delays, flight/rental car cancellations, job loss, snow/ice, Covid-19 bans/restrictions, etc. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, forest fires, etc. and cannot make your trip, please seek reimbursement through your travel insurance.
NO refunds are given unless there is a mandatory evacuation in our area. Please check what travel insurance your credit card may offer. You can also visit www.insuremytrip.com.
I acknowledge I am responsible for purchasing my own travel insurance:
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Guest agrees to abide by information in this agreement and in the arrival guidebook, and shall cause all members of the rental party (anyone else Guest permits on the property) to abide by them as well.
The parties agree to the terms of this Short Term Rental Agreement, as evidenced by the signatures set forth below.
Guest Name (Print) ______________
Guest Signature ________________
Phone number _________________
Guest Permanent Address ____________________
Date _______________________
Vacation Rental Owner
Name (print) ________________
Signature __________________
Date _____________________
Place a clear Photo ID (driver’s license) of the credit card holder on this page. Scan back all 3 pages.
Requesting an ID from guests is actually quite easy, and one of the benefits of booking direct. Remember, this is your business and you have every right to know who is renting your property. First, let's clear up a common misconception hosts have in regards to verifying IDs.
I Will Scare Away the Traveler
This is a marketing tactic (an ingenious one at that) used by listing sites as a means for you to pay a commission. Until recent years, travelers and hosts were transacting directly all the time, without needing a 3rd party's protection. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:
- Keep your reviews up to date on Houfy. If you haven't done so, import your reviews from Airbnb and VRBO/Homeaway, and show them to travelers. Directing travelers to other sites to read your reviews is making those brands even stronger. It only perpetuates an endless cycle of trying to gain direct bookings, while simultaneously advertising the very brands that strive to keep you from booking direct.
- Sometimes travelers just need a gentle reminder that their credit card already provides fraud protection. If they have any questions, point out you have been verified by Houfy and remind them of their bank's protection policies.
- Finally, some loyal Airbnb followers will only book through Airbnb. Do not take this personally! If you've already mentioned the above, just accept the booking and be a great host as usual. Then thank the guest for staying, and remind them of saving through Houfy for their next vacation.
Personally, I have never had an issue of a guest not sending me a copy of their ID. Remember, there is no sensitive information on there anyway, as social security numbers no longer appear on driver's licenses.
Asking for ID Helps to Prevent Fraud
One of the best ways to prevent scammers and the use of stolen credit cards, is to ask for ID of the credit card holder. It's especially important for new hosts to do this, as scammers often view them as easy prey.
Hosts with little to no reviews, and properties priced below market, are common targets for scammers. It's assumed new hosts are inexperienced and more likely to accept a booking with no questions asked. Fraudsters realize new hosts are eager to get those initial reviews under their belt.
Another scenario to be alert of is last minute bookings, and especially those from the same city as your rental. People using a stolen credit card tend to book very last minute, as the real card holder may not immediately notice the fraudulent activity. By the time the card is reported stolen, the scammer has already fulfilled their stay and left the property.
One caveat: Do not assume all last minute bookings are a red flag, as I often receive bookings just one day before arrival. This is why it's important to ask for a signed rental agreement: you need to match the agreement signature against the one on the ID.
How Do I Ask for ID?
Ask for the ID of the credit card holder and don't assume it is the person who made the reservation. In my case, it's usually the same person anyway. The reason you want to ask for the credit card holder's ID, is in case of a chargeback dispute. The credit card company is going to ask you to produce a signed rental agreement with the card holder's signature.
Feel free to use any parts of this:
"Hi Guest,
I've attached the rental agreement, departure checklist, and house notes. Please read through all docs and print, manually sign, and scan back the rental agreement.
- Initial anywhere on the 1st page
- On the 2nd page be sure to sign both the cancellation policy, and the bottom right side of the agreement. Please fill out only the right side of the agreement.
- Along with the agreement, I will need a scanned govt ID of the credit card holder
Let me know if you have any questions. I am sending you all the local information and house details from Houfy shortly.
Thanks."
But What If I Don't Want to Ask for ID?
You don't have to of course. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Maybe you are an onsite host who accepts mostly one night bookings. You're more than welcome to never request an ID from anyone.
If you currently rely on Airbnb for verification, they don't share the guest's ID with you anyway. Even if you need to press charges with the police, Airbnb will not provide you with "real" ID information. In essence, by not asking for ID–it's the same as accepting an Airbnb reservation and not really knowing who your guest is anyway.
If a chargeback on a one night stay, or stolen credit cards is not a concern, then by all means don't feel guilty if you don't ask for ID. Just be sure it's not required in your area. In some areas, hosts are required to keep guest IDs on file for a certain period of time.
Be Aware of Friendly Fraud
Keep in mind "friendly fraud" has been on the rise. This is where someone in the group makes the reservation but uses another group member's credit card. After the stay, the card holder claims to not "recognize" or have "authorized" the transaction. Technically, this group just received a free stay at your property. As long as you understand the pros and cons of asking for ID, then you are good to go.
Overall, most scammers don't have the time nor interest to produce fake IDs. It's easier to target those who do not require the information. I'm not saying scammer "over achievers" don't exist, as some may go through the trouble of producing these documents–it's just that the chances are small. Just decide what feels right and makes the most sense for both you, and your vacation rental business.
How many times have you heard travelers complain about a $200 cleaning fee–yet happily pay a $600 service fee to an online travel agency?
Have you ever noticed both Airbnb and Vrbo only use the words "Service Fee" in their price detail breakdown? And neither site puts their company name in front of it?
At a glance travelers can easily assume the "service fee" is charged by the host. Take a look at what travelers are shown during Airbnb's checkout.
And take a look at Vrbo's traveler service fee. The traveler must hover over the "?" symbol to learn more information.
Guests should clearly understand what money their host receives, versus fees paid to the platform. The guest may believe they paid you several hundred dollars more, and their expectations for your home are higher. It's always a good idea to include a detailed price breakdown in your guest rental agreement.
Don't forget to educate departing guests to always google a vacation property's name to find the best rate.
Feel free to use any of this wording to help customize your own policy.
The property has external cameras placed in the front deck, parking area, facing the fire pit, and facing the back door.
This video footage is not shared publicly and is recorded in cases of a break-in, death, injury, guests sneaking in pets, guests disregarding the maximum occupancy allowed, and in no way infringes upon guests’ expectations of privacy in these public areas of the property.
Any attempt at disabling or obscuring the cameras is prohibited and may result in the guest being evicted without refund. The full deposit is forfeited if any of the above are found. You will be asked to leave the property immediately with no money returned.
- Log in>Menu> Manage Listings>Edit>Settings>Rules.
- Upload Rental Agreement or drag and drop.
Where Does My Guest View the Agreement?
After guest enters dates and clicks "Request to Book," the screen below will appear. Guest can download the agreement for review before checking the "I agree" box.
How do I ask the guest for signature and collect ID?
This final step is not required but highly recommended.
- In your House Rules you can mention a signed agreement and ID of the credit card holder will be required before the booking is confirmed.
- Choose an E-signature service to obtain the guest's signature OR
- Message the guest through your Houfy inbox. Upload the agreement there and ask them to print, sign, and scan back along with copy of ID.
- Email the guest directly. with agreement and your requests
Sandy Claws, Corolla NC
The below is for informational use only. Feel free to copy any of the verbiage into your own agreement. Have an attorney review before use.
Short Term Rental Agreement
Thank you for choosing our home for your vacation. The property name is Sandy Claws and is located at: 1569 Sandpiper Road, Corolla, NC 27927
As stated in the property listing: 4WD or high clearance AWD vehicle is needed to access the property. You must air-down tires to drive on the beach. 10-15 PSI is recommended for best traction, and it will not damage your tires or result in a blow out.
Your confirmation is as follows:
Check-in date: ________________________________ (after 4pm EST)
Check-out date: _______________________________ (no later than 10am EST)
The lease signer must be over 25 and reside at the property for the full duration of the lease.
Number of guests: _______
Names and ages of guests (this helps us customize your Welcome Package):
1) ___________________________ Age: ____ 7) ___________________________ Age: ____
2) ___________________________ Age: ____ 8) ___________________________ Age: ____
3) ___________________________ Age: ____ 9) ___________________________ Age: ____
4) ___________________________ Age: ____ 10) ___________________________ Age: ____
5) ___________________________ Age: ____ 11) ___________________________ Age: ____
6) ___________________________ Age: ____ 12) ___________________________ Age: ____
Pets are not allowed. If guests bring a pet to our non-pet home, not only will it invalidate this rental agreement allowing immediate eviction with no refund, but it can greatly affect guests who require an allergen free home. Board your pets, do not sneak them into our allergen free home.
Elevator: Does anyone in your party have mobility issues requiring the use of the elevator? Yes / No
*The elevator is not a toy and it is not a cargo elevator. The key will only be issued to guests in need.
Rental Rate:
Weekly rate (7 nights) $__________
Optional Grocery Delivery & Stocking fee Yes / No: $75.00
NC State & Lodging Tax on total (12.75%) $__________
Total: ___________
*Security Deposit: $750.00 (not taxed)
Total + Security Deposit: $__________
Amount Paid [Month Date, Year] $__________ (Includes Security Deposit)
Amount Due [Month Date, Year] $__________
*Security Deposit of $750.00 will be refunded within 14 days of check out if post check out inspection is favorable.
Rental Provisions/House Rules:
1) PROPERTY CONDITION: Leave the home as you found it and it should be relatively ready for the next guests. Guests are responsible for maintenance and repair costs should the premises or furnishings be left in a lesser condition.
2) DO NOT REARRANGE THE HOUSE: We request you refrain from rearranging the furniture or reorganizing the kitchen. You’re on vacation, please spend it relaxing rather than determining a “better” location for items. There's a $50 fee for every item that must be replaced to its original location by our cleaning crew. This includes beds, chairs, tables, and everything outdoors. Additionally, inside furniture and decor should remain indoors.
3) ACCIDENTS/DAMAGES: Please report all accidents, damages, and any non-working appliances immediately so that they can be corrected before the next guests arrive. Discovering these issues after checkout often means the next guests won’t have access to usage until a service call can be scheduled, which is very difficult to do on turnover day. If the cost of the damage is more than the security deposit or if extra cleaning should be involved, the cost incurred will be billed to the guests.
4) NEIGHBORHOOD AND NOISE LEVELS
- You will see horses on the property and around the neighborhood. DO NOT feed them and remain 50 feet from them AT ALL TIMES. Exception on distance is only when they are in our yard and you're on a deck.
- The majority of our neighbors are vacationers like you. Please minimize noise between 10pm and 8am to ensure everyone enjoys their vacation.
- If any neighbors report excessive noise, your vacation rental agreement could be terminated and you’ll be asked to leave our property. Should this happen, it will result in a loss of the rental amount.
5) EXTRA GUESTS AND VISITORS: A maximum of four visitors is allowed during the day. Any extra overnight visitors must be approved in advance. It is the responsibility of the renter to ensure that any visitor also complies with our House Rules.
6) PARTIES AND EVENTS: No parties or events are allowed without prior approval from owners. Any small gathering is restricted to four additional visitors and must comply with the rules regarding noise.
7) PARKING: Please park your vehicle under the house near the elevator, to the left of the front door, or out front on the gravel provided. Do not park on the right (south) side of the home. This level field area is our septic leach field and the weight of vehicles will damage it.
8) SAFETY
- The First Aid kit is located in the pantry, on the left, top shelf.
- In the entryway near the elevator, you will find the electric panel. Please do not open it unless in the unlikely event of a power outage or tripped breaker.
- Guests are responsible, at all times, for the safety of their children while on the premises. Do not allow them to climb on the railings, or stand on chairs near the railings. This also applies to drunks.
- Wash off sand and lotion prior to using the hot tub, an outside shower is provided. Securely close the cover when not in use. All long hair should be secured in a ponytail prior to using the hot tub. NO GLASS near the hot tub, this includes beer bottles. Use provided plastic. The hot tub is not a pool, do not attempt to swim in it. Reduce temperature to 80 at the end of stay.
- If you use the grills, you must clean them after each use or you could incur additional cleaning fees of $75 per grill. North Carolina law states grills that are not permanently affixed to a gas line must be a minimum of ten feet from the house structure at all times, this means you should NOT move the charcoal grill under the house, even if it is raining.
- Please use only plastic dinnerware and plastic glasses when dining outside.
- The elevator key is only given to guests with mobility issues. It is not a cargo elevator, and NO CHILDREN under 16 should use, play with, or ride in the elevator alone. An unattended child died in a Corolla elevator in the summer of 2021, this warning is a serious one.
9) SMOKING: Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the property. If you want to smoke, you may only smoke outside. Please dispose of your cigarette butts and ash in the garbage (after it’s safe to do so).
10) APPLIANCES/HOME SYSTEMS
- Do not move the internet modems. We've lived there for months, both modems currently reside where the best signal can be found.
- Do not leave doors and windows open while the air conditioner is on. If you want ocean breezes inside, turn the air conditioner off. There is a humidity gauge on the thermostat, and it will shut off the air conditioner if the humidity stays high for an extended period of time.
- You’re welcome to use the washer, but make sure that you don’t overload it and shake sand outside BEFORE washing items. Sand can destroy a washer and guests will be charged to replace the washer.
11) GARBAGE DISPOSAL
- We ask that our guests be so kind as to dispose of food in the available kitchen garbage bin as we DO NOT have a garbage disposal.
- There are recycling bins in the pantry, as well as a blue garbage can outside for bagged recyclables.
- Garbage pickup is a private service and we’ve arranged pickup from the outside garbage cans on Wednesdays and Saturdays. We advise placing garbage out the night before in case of early morning pickup.
- Secure all garbage can lids tightly, as our food can kill the wild horses.
- DO NOT flush any sanitary products, paper towels, or wipes down the toilet. We have a septic system and these items will damage it, resulting in an easily avoidable expense to the guest for repair.
- If fishing, do not leave fish entrails in the kitchen garbage. Dispose of entrails in the ocean or feed to seagulls.
12) LIABILITY: The tenant’s personal property is not covered in the insurance purchased by the owner against loss, theft, or negligence. The tenant indemnifies the landlord and the property free and harmless against any liabilities like accidents, loss of property, injury, or death of any person.
COMPLIANCE: Failure to follow any of these house rules is a breach of the terms and conditions of your reservation.
I acknowledge and understand the above Rental Provisions/House Rules:
Signature: ______________________
Cancellation Policy: Refunds 61 days prior to date of stay is 100%, at 60 days or less there’s no refund unless the owner can rent the dates to another guest. Once a reservation is made, those dates are taken off the market.
I acknowledge and understand cancellation policy:
Signature: ________________________
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: It is highly recommended that guests purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance in case of emergency/bad weather, hurricane, Covid-19 bans/restrictions, etc. as NO REFUNDS will be given. Please visit www.insuremytrip.com to purchase.
I acknowledge the recommendation to purchase trip insurance:
Signature: __________________________
Guest agrees to abide by information in this agreement and shall cause all members of the rental party (anyone else Guest permits on the property) to abide by them as well. The parties agree to the terms of this Short-Term Rental Agreement, as evidenced by the signatures set forth below. Reservations are confirmed upon receipt of signed rental agreement and a copy of your ID (driver’s license or state/government issued ID).
Guest Name (Print): __________________________ Phone number: _______________________
Guest Signature: ___________________________ Date: ___________
Guest Preferred email address: ______________________________
Guest Permanent Address: ______________________
______________________
Vacation Rental Management Company: LLC name you created to sublease your rental property on your behalf, thus removing your personal assets from liability claim.
Signature: _________________________ (Your Name, manager of LLC you created to sublet a year long lease on your home)
Date: ___________________
Company name
Location
Contact Info
How to create a rental agreement online
- Click on plus -> Rental agreement
- Select Houfy default template
- Chose the listing for the rental agreement & click Get started
- Edit the rental agreement with Houfy agreement builder
How the guest can view, sign, attach id proofs and send the rental agreement
There are 2 ways the guest can sign, attach id proofs and send the rental agreement.
While booking
- Click on the rental agreement in the Review Rules section
- Scroll down -> Sign
- Upload photo or Take photo
- Download or Submit
After sending the request
- Go to Reservation details
- Go to Policies & Rules
- Click on the rental agreement. It will open the rental agreement page where you can sign, upload ids and submit.
This post explains how to add the host's signature to the rental agreement.
- Click plus -> Select rental agreement
- Edit the rental agreement
- Add a section "Owner's signature"
- Do your signature and click save singnature.
How to edit the rental agreement and remove some sections of the rental agreement
- Click plus -> Rental agreement
- My rental agreements -> Click edit
To edit the content of the rental agreement, click on a section to view and edit its content.
To remove the section, click Remove section.
To re-order the sections:
Click on the handle and drag the section to re-order them
Feel free to use any/all parts of these refund policies:
Cancellation Policy 1 - Moderate
Due to the nature of the vacation rental business, we cannot accept cancellations occurring later than 45 days to the arrival date. You will forfeit all sums paid unless we are able to re-rent the property, in which case we will refund an amount equal to any subsequent rental less a $100 handling fee. If a cancellation occurs prior to 45 days to arrival, full refund will be issued less a $100 handling fee.
Cancellation Policy 2 - Strict
How it appears to a traveler in Houfy traveler checkout:
Below is how it appears in the actual rental agreement that is sent after I have accepted the booking. I strongly recommend obtaining the signature of the credit card holder very close to the cancellation policy. This is in addition to the credit card holder's signature at the bottom of the agreement.
Note: the cancellation policy and trip insurance are two separate sections in my rental agreement as shown in the screenshots.
Copy/Paste text below to format
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policy is NO refunds. Once dates are taken off the market, they become unavailable to other renters. With owner approval, guest may find a replacement renter or gift their dates (not future dates) to someone else. Guest MUST cancel the original reservation before owner will assist in trying to rebook the dates. Owner is under no obligation to find a replacement renter. I acknowledge and understand the Cancellation Policy:
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
It is highly recommended guest purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance in case of family emergencies, funerals, bad weather delays, flight/rental car cancellations, job loss, snow/ice, Covid-19 bans/restrictions, early departures, etc. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, forest fires, etc. and cannot make your trip, please seek reimbursement through your travel insurance.
NO refunds are given unless there is a mandatory evacuation in our area. Please check what travel insurance your credit card may offer. You can also visit www.insuremytrip.com.
I acknowledge I am responsible for purchasing my own travel insurance:
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Click the link to view this sample rental agreement:
Feel free to use any wording in this rental agreement. Be sure to follow local laws and use an attorney.
Number of guests allowed: 4
Pet Policy: No pets allowed. This is a pet-free property.
Visitor Policy: Any day/night visitors must be approved by owner, and maximum number of guest/visitors combined is six persons (this includes infants and children). Additional overnight guest/visitors are $20 each per day.
Refundable Damage Deposit: Waived as long as credit cardholder agrees that ALL members of the rental party (and any visitors) will have read entire arrival guidebook and departure checklist. Please let us know if you prefer to pay a $250 damage deposit instead.
I acknowledge and understand the Pet Policy, Visitor Policy, and Damage Deposit Policy:
Signature: ______________________________________________
Join Houfy's Book Direct market network or Say Yes to Houfy facebook group.
"I am about to sign up with Stripe or Square and I am wondering who decides if a guest can get a refund. What if a guest files a chargeback because they want to leave early and the host stands firm on their cancellation policy? Does Stripe or Square decide if the guest will get their money back even if the guest agreed to my cancellation policy?"
The issuing bank determines the outcome of credit card disputes (chargebacks).
What is an issuing bank?
An issuing bank is the financial institution that issues a credit card to the cardholder (your guest's bank).
What is a credit card network (association)?
The most popular networks are: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. American Express and Discover are both issuing banks (issue their own credit cards) as well.
What is a payment facilitator?
Stripe, Square, and PayPal are just a few examples of payment facilitators.
What is a merchant?
The vendor who sells services/goods (you). If you use a payment facilitator, it may technically be a shared merchant instead of a "traditional" merchant account with your bank. For simplicity, consider yourself the merchant even if your payment facilitator is the "merchant of record."
Whether you are a restaurant owner or sell jewelry at art festivals, when you accept credit cards, the cardholder can file a credit card dispute (chargeback) with their bank.
Have you ever noticed hosts say an Airbnb rep. told them they cannot charge a guests credit card without their permission? What about owners who said their Vrbo guest agreed to their cancellation policy but still won in a chargeback dispute?
The credit card networks (VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) set certain policies that merchants must abide by when accepting their cards. And these policies can vary between industries. One of these policies is how a cancellation policy should be presented to the credit card holder.
Some owners have lost chargeback disputes because they did not follow the credit card network policies. But who reads through all that fine print?
The card network may have required the merchant to obtain the card holder's signature within so many inches of the cancellation policy. This information could have been buried on page 50. And the host was told a signature at the very bottom of the rental agreement was not sufficient to meet the card network's requirements.
Always require Id of the credit card holder so the guest does not claim the transaction was not authorized. Include a signature line within less than an inch of your cancellation policy. Bold some of the text so the font is conspicuous as well. It's much more difficult for a guest to dispute they overlooked a policy like this:
The above will wipe out 95% of issues. Guests will still often ask what their cancellation options are, even after agreeing to your policies. And you are always free to override your policy and make an exception.
Both Stripe and Square have their own best practices for fraud and chargebacks. I will highlight those in another post.
How to create a rental agreement for your listing on Houfy by using Houfy's tool for creation of the rental agreement
1. Click on plus to open the menu. Choose a Rental agreement that will bring you to the agreement builder page.
2. Choose Houfy's default template or create own. With Houfy's default template it will bring some predefined sections for you to start with your rental agreement. You can always edit all those sections.
3. Choose the listing for which you want to create a rental agreement.
4. On clicking "Get Started" it will create a rental agreement.
5. You can re-arrange or modify the agreement sections.
Follow the below article on how the guest can send you the agreement.
