faq

BorrowedHome is a marketplace for day-use access to real lived-in homes — kitchens, living rooms, gardens, pools, and similar spaces.

There are no overnight stays and no bedrooms. Guests book by the hour or in blocks for daytime use only.

Day use only · 2 hr minimum · bookings end by 9:00 PM.

Overnight stays are not allowed. Guests must leave by the agreed end time.

You must be 18 or older to create an account as a guest or host.

Hosts list spaces they control; guests book those spaces for daytime activities.

• Create an account

Search by location, date, and time, then open a listing you like.

Request a booking for your chosen window (at least 2 hours, ending by 9:00 PM).

The host reviews your request. If they accept, you have a limited time to pay and confirm.

Once payment succeeds, the booking is confirmed and messaging unlocks. The full address is revealed for confirmed bookings.

• Browse homes
• My bookings

Bookings must start at least 4 hours from the time you request them.

The host also cannot accept a request if the start time is less than 4 hours away.

Your booking moves to “Awaiting payment.” You typically have 4 hours to complete payment.

During that window the time slot is held for you. If you don’t pay in time, the booking expires and the slot opens again.

When you pay, your card is authorised (held). The rental amount is captured after the booking is completed and a short review window passes, unless there’s a dispute.

A security deposit may also be authorised separately and released after the visit if there’s no issue reported.

The full street address is only shown after your booking is confirmed (paid).

Before that, you’ll see a general location (for example suburb or area) so you can decide whether to request.

In-app messaging unlocks after a booking is confirmed.

Use it for arrival details, house rules questions, and coordination — not as a substitute for the booking request flow.

Always pay and message through BorrowedHome. Off-platform payments increase fraud risk and are not protected by the platform.

You can cancel a request before the host accepts, or contact support if a confirmed booking needs to be cancelled.

Refunds depend on timing and payment state: if payment was only authorised (not yet captured), a cancellation typically releases the hold; after capture, refunds are handled case-by-case.

There is no separate free-cancellation window published beyond what the booking status and support process allow. Email support with your booking details if you’re stuck.

• hello@borrowedhome.app

On any listing page, use Report listing to flag misleading, unsafe, or suspected fraudulent listings.

Our team reviews reports in the admin console and may unpublish listings or suspend accounts.

BorrowedHome does not provide personal insurance for guests. Day-use visits carry normal in-person risks.

Hosts are responsible for their own property and liability cover. Review house rules carefully and only book spaces you’re comfortable using.

• Guest Terms (AU)

Sign in (or create an account), then open Become a Host.

The onboarding wizard walks you through photos, spaces, availability, house rules, and pricing.

To receive payouts you’ll connect a Stripe account so funds can be transferred after completed bookings.

• Become a host
• Host Agreement (AU)

Shared daytime spaces such as kitchen, dining, living, garden, pool, or garage — not overnight bedrooms.

Set clear house rules, toilet access, consumables policy, and when you’re available (always ending by 9:00 PM).

Guests submit a request; you accept or decline from My Listings or the host dashboard.

If you accept, the guest must pay within the payment window. Until they pay (or the window expires), that slot is locked.

After the visit ends, the booking completes automatically. Payment is captured after a review window if no dispute is raised.

• My listings
• Host dashboard

Guest payments are processed through Stripe. After a booking completes and the review window ends (with no dispute), the rental is captured and your share is transferred to your connected Stripe account.

Your payout is the guest total minus BorrowedHome’s platform fee and Stripe’s card processing fee (the actual fee Stripe charged on that payment). Payouts to your bank follow Stripe’s schedule for your connected account.

• Payouts & Connect

Listings can require a deposit. It’s authorised at payment time and normally released after the booking if there’s no damage or dispute.

If something goes wrong, use the dispute / deposit tools for that booking rather than informal side payments.

No. BorrowedHome does not provide property, contents, or public liability insurance for hosts.

Check whether your home insurance covers day-use visitors and arrange additional cover if needed before publishing.

• Host Agreement (AU)

Use Forgot password on the login page. We’ll email a reset link to the address on your account.

• Reset password

Email us anytime — including if you can’t sign up or log in.

Support: hello@borrowedhome.app

• Email support

Guest Terms and the Host Agreement (Australia) are linked from signup, hosting flows, and the site footer. Please read them before hosting or booking.

• Guest Terms (AU)
• Host Agreement (AU)
• Terms overview