Short-term rentals: FAQs
Short-term rentals (STR) are typically categorized as private properties that are rented out as guest accommodations for limited periods of time. STR properties can be subject to specific regulations, which may vary per country, region, and municipality. Read on to find answers to the most commonly asked questions about STRs.
In this article:
- Complying with local STR regulations
- Providing your license or registration numbers
- Property closure and reopening
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Depending on the local context, we may:
- Collect your license/registration number during the property registration process. In some contexts, it’s mandatory for STR partners to provide a number in this field to be listed on our platform. In others, this is optional. If we collect your license/registration number, we’ll display it on your property page on our platform.
- Verify that the number provided is in the format required in your local context.
- Validate your license number upon request from local authorities.
- Close your property for bookings on our platform if you’re found to be in breach of local laws and regulations, or if you’re required to provide a license/registration number but fail to do so.
- Share data about STR activities on our platform with local authorities as legally required, following all applicable privacy and data protection laws.
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As an STR partner, you’re responsible for ensuring that you’re familiar and compliant with the regulations that apply to your property in your specific municipality, country, and/or region. If we become aware of a new regulation, we’ll inform affected partners. To avoid communication issues, make sure you provide us with your correct email address. If we’re required to close your property on our platform, we’ll email you to let you know when this will take place.
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This depends on the regulations that apply in your local context. If we’re legally required to collect this information from you, we’ll request it during your property registration process and via the Extranet.
Note: Legal requirements that apply to our platform may differ from those that apply to you. Familiarize yourself with your local STR regulations to make sure you’re compliant.
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You can add or update this information on the Extranet. Here’s how to add a license or registration number issued for a whole property:
- Log in to the Extranet
- Click Property, then General info
- Select your license type and enter your license number, or select one of the exemptions available in the drop-down menu – note that this section may be customized to your local context
- Click Update your info to finalize
If the license issued to you is for individual units within a property, you’ll need to follow these steps to add a license or registration number:
- Log in to the Extranet
- Click Property , then Property layout
or Room details - For each of your units, click Edit, then add the license or registration number for that unit under Tell us your license number – depending on local regulations, this section may also be called Tell us your registration number or Short-term rental regulations
- Add any other license-related information
- Click Continue to finalize
If you have multiple units or rooms, you’ll need to add a license to each of your units. If you have one license covering all the units of your property, you can add the same license to all units.
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If exemptions are possible in your local context, you’ll see an exemption field in the Extranet’s license/registration number collection flow. You can indicate your reason for exemption here.
Here’s how to indicate a property-level exemption:
- Log in to the Extranet
- Click Property, then General info
- Select the relevant exemption from the drop-down menu – note that this section may be customized to your local context
- Click Update your info to finalize
Here’s how to indicate a room/unit-level exemption:
- Log in to the Extranet
- Click Property , then Property layout or Room details
- For each of your rooms/units, select the relevant exemption from the drop-down menu – note that this section may be customized to your local context
Click Continue to finalize
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In certain circumstances, yes. If your property is going to be closed on our platform, we’ll send an email explaining why and when this is happening. These are a few possible reasons:
- Your property is missing a mandatory STR license/registration number or other mandatory information
- The license/registration number you provided is invalid or was shared in an incorrect format
- We received a request from local authorities and are legally required to comply
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If your property’s been closed on our platform, you won’t be able to receive new bookings. You can reopen it for bookings by doing the following:
- Check that you’ve provided your STR license/registration number.
- Check that the license/registration number you provided is current, valid, and in the exact format that it was issued by your local authorities.
- Make sure you’ve provided all other mandatory license-related information, such as residence type (primary/secondary), license issue or expiration date, or the property manager’s name. Make sure the license-related information you provide matches the information registered with local authorities.
If you’ve done all of the above and still can’t reopen your property, we recommend contacting your local authorities to check if your license/registration is in order. For additional support, send us a message via the Extranet’s inbox.
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Legal & Security
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- Online security awareness: social engineering
- Online security awareness: Phishing
- Preventing unauthorized use of your account
- Securing your account
- Requirements and regulations for surveillance devices
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- Guidelines for room key access
- Keeping your property clean and sanitary
- Equipping your home property with safety devices, safety kits, and emergency plans
- Protecting your home property with security devices
- Partner Liability Insurance
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- Online security awareness: Malware
- All about our messaging security settings
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- Why you need to complete the Know Your Partner (KYP) form
- How do I remove a property or end my partnership with Booking.com?
- My property is under new ownership. What should I do?
- Our animal welfare standards
- Where can I find my General Delivery Terms (GDT)?
- Complying with European Union consumer law
- Mandatory host type (professional/private) assessment
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- Offer transparency and clarity through simpler policies
- Our Supplier Code of Conduct
- Understanding Force Majeure
- Handling emergency closures
- VAT and tax withholding legislation in Mexico
- Understanding short-term rentals
- Short-term rentals: FAQs
- DAC7: FAQs
- Everything you need to know about DAC7
- Non-discrimination guidelines when accepting or declining a booking request
- Laws and regulations for short-term rentals in Asia-Pacific
- Laws and regulations for short-term rentals in North America
- Short-term rental license requirements in New York City
- Everything you need to know about the Digital Services Act (DSA)
- Accommodation Agreement and General Delivery Terms
- When the contracting name on your accommodation agreement is wrong