We get asked a lot of the same questions — from new renters wondering how it all works, to hosts thinking about listing their first item, to service providers weighing up whether it's worth the time. This post pulls the most common ones into one place with straight answers.
If your question isn't here, email us at support@rentify.market and we'll add it.
Getting started
What is Rentify?
Rentify is a UK marketplace where people rent items to each other and book local services. Think drills, vans, cameras, party gear, bikes — plus photographers, cleaners, tutors and handymen. Everything is local, paid through the app, and protected by a deposit system.
Is Rentify free to use?
Browsing and signing up is free. You only pay when you book a rental or a service. Rentify takes a small platform fee from each transaction — there are no monthly subscriptions and no charge for listing items.
Where does Rentify operate?
Across the UK. Listings are local, so what you see depends on your area. London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds and Edinburgh have the most active hosts right now, but new cities are being added every week. If your city is quiet, you can join the waitlist and we'll let you know when activity picks up.
Do I need to download an app?
No — Rentify works in any web browser. We also have an iOS app if you'd prefer the native experience. An Android app is on the way.
Renting from someone
How do bookings work?
Find an item or service, choose your dates, and send a booking request. The host gets notified and either accepts instantly or replies within a few hours. Once they accept, payment is taken from your card and held safely until the rental is complete.
How do I pay?
Securely through Stripe. We accept all major debit and credit cards, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay on supported devices. Cash payments are not allowed — keeping everything in the app is what lets us protect both sides.
What's a deposit and why is it taken?
Most rentals ask for a refundable deposit on top of the rental price. It's held by Stripe, not by the host, and released back to you automatically once the item is returned in the same condition. If something goes wrong, we mediate before any money is taken from the deposit.
What if the item is damaged or broken when I collect it?
Take photos immediately and message the host through the app before using it. Anything documented up front is on the host, not you. If you can't agree, open a dispute and our team will step in.
Can I cancel a booking?
Yes. Cancellation terms vary by host but most allow a full refund up to 24 or 48 hours before the rental starts. The exact policy is shown on every listing before you book.
Why can't I message hosts outside the app?
For your protection. All conversations, payments and dispute records live in one place, which means if anything goes wrong we have a full history to help resolve it. Sharing phone numbers, emails or external links in chat is blocked.
Listing as a host
How much can I earn?
It depends on what you list and how active you are. A power tool might earn £30–£80 a month with light activity. A van or camera setup can earn several hundred pounds a month. Active hosts with multiple high-demand items often clear £500+ a month.
What can I list?
Almost anything legal, safe and useful. Tools, sports gear, cameras, vehicles, party equipment, garden equipment, baby gear, instruments, AV kit, camping gear, and more. If you're offering a skill rather than an item, list it as a service instead.
How do I get paid?
Through Stripe Connect. You'll do a one-off onboarding (a few minutes — Stripe verifies your identity to comply with UK financial regulations), then payouts land in your bank account a few days after each rental completes.
Does Rentify take a fee?
Yes — a small platform fee comes out of each booking. There's no charge to list, no monthly cost, and no fee if no one books your item.
What happens if my item is damaged or not returned?
The deposit covers most issues. If the damage exceeds the deposit, or the item isn't returned, you open a dispute through the app. Our team reviews the evidence (photos, messages, booking history) and decides on a fair outcome. We can charge the renter's card for additional damages within the limits agreed at booking.
Do I need insurance?
Standard household contents insurance often doesn't cover peer-to-peer renting. We recommend checking your policy and, for higher-value items, considering specialist cover. We're working on first-party insurance options — more on that soon.
Booking services
How is a service booking different from a rental?
A service booking pays for someone's time and skill rather than an item — for example a photographer, cleaner, personal trainer or tutor. You agree a date, time and price up front. Payment is held until the service is completed and you confirm everything went well.
What if the provider doesn't show up?
You get a full refund automatically. We also remove unreliable providers from the platform.
Can I tip a service provider?
Not directly through the app yet, but it's coming. For now, leaving a great review is the most valuable thing you can do for a provider.
Trust & safety
Is Rentify safe?
We've built it to be. Every user is verified, payments are handled by Stripe (one of the world's largest payment processors), deposits protect hosts, and our dispute team has the full history of every conversation and transaction if something goes wrong.
What do I do if something goes wrong?
Open a dispute from inside the booking. Our team usually responds within a few hours during UK business hours. Don't try to resolve a financial issue outside the app — we can only protect you when the booking and conversation stay on Rentify.
Are users verified?
Yes. Hosts go through Stripe identity verification before they can receive payouts. We also use reviews, response rates and account history to flag accounts that aren't behaving well.
What's the contact info filter?
To keep everyone protected, our system automatically blocks attempts to share phone numbers, email addresses, social handles or external links in chat. Sticking to in-app messaging is what lets us help if there's ever a dispute.
Still have questions?
If we haven't answered yours, email support@rentify.market — we read every message and add the most common ones here.
Get started
- Browse local rentals: Rentify Rentals Marketplace
- Browse local service providers: Rentify Services Marketplace
- Rent out an item you own: List a rental on Rentify
- Offer your skills locally: List a service on Rentify