Houfy (direct booking) Hosts: How are you verifying guests and collecting payment?

Question

Just got my first inquiry . . . . No red flags in the messages, seemed like genuine and polite person. Only alarm bell was the international country code but it's the UK, not Belarus or Nigeria.

Asked for a photo government ID and payment in full via payment app. Is this enough? Are any of asking for anything else in the way of verification?

Thanks in advance

Jon Martin · Answer

Houfy does not accept payment unless you add a Stripe or Square account. Submitting an ID for verification is voluntary. They are basically a Craigslist for STRs. I plan to have the guest send me a picture of their photo ID.

I still use AIRBNB and VRBO. The difference is that Houfy is not collecting 15%+ in fees, so I can offer a better price to the guests while also putting more money in my pocket. I don't see myself moving away from them, however I want to have the foundation in place to eventually take control of my own guest lists and not be at the mercy of their rules and algorithms. I also don't like that those platforms collect interest off my guests and my property in the time between booking with full payment and payout 1-2 days after arrival.

JD Martin · Answer

Easiest thing is to just get a payment account. I have both square and stripe. I have taken international payments through Stripe without any issue. The only people I've taken through square that weren't Americans were from Canada.

Mindy Nicol · Answer

I totally agree. Like Paypal and other transaction platforms the interest they get from holding funds is huge.  Thanks for the info on this.  I will check it out.

Michael Baum · Answer

I haven't tried Houfy yet. I would be wary as well on international bookings.

Have you called or texted them direct to see what they have to say?

Collin Hays · Answer

I have found that most international inquiries are dubious. Generally, we only accept reservations from internationals through VRBO, so that we have some additional protections.

Mindy Nicol · Answer

Hi Jon, Haven't heard of Houfy but thanks for posting about this.

How do they verify guests?  Are guests required to add passport info?  If not I think you need to ask for this or some form of ID.  Why did you decide to use them vs Airbnb and VRBO?  Just curious.

Mindy

Sarah Kensinger · Answer

It might be an idea in the future to get a guest protection policy (like Safely), that also offers guest screening.

Jon Martin · Answer

Yeah I hear you, which is why I am cautious as well. That said, I am trying to have options where I don't rely on OTAs so I have to face this issue one way or the other.

Houfy (direct booking) Hosts: How are you verifying guests and collecting payment?

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