What a booking request really means
A booking request is the strongest signal a rental platform can send you: a screened tenant who has committed a month’s rent to live in your home.
Not an enquiry — a commitment
On most rental portals, a “lead” is someone who clicked a button. On Spotahome, a booking request only exists because a tenant did three things first: passed Spotahome’s screening, added their payment details, and authorized the First Payment to be charged the moment you accept.
They haven’t been charged yet — that happens automatically when you say yes. From that moment Spotahome holds the money for safety until after check-in, and releases it to you within 48 hours of move-in. The person in your inbox has put their money on the line for your place.
The one thing to remember: a booking request is a committed reservation waiting for your yes — the rent is charged automatically the moment you accept. You’re the only step left.
What’s inside the request
Every request shows you the same set of facts, so you can decide quickly:
- Who: the tenant’s name, occupation and country of origin
- When: their move-in date and the length of the stay
- How much: the monthly rent and the total contract value
- Verification status: confirmation the tenant passed Spotahome’s screening (identity and solvency verified)
What you won’t see yet is the tenant’s phone number or email. Contact details are exchanged automatically once you accept — this protects both sides until there’s a confirmed booking.
The three answers
From the moment a request arrives, you have 24 hours and three good answers:
- Accept. The booking is confirmed instantly, the First Payment is charged to the tenant automatically, and you both receive each other’s contact details to arrange the move-in.
- Renegotiate. If the request is close but not exact — dates shifted a little, a slightly different price — you can send a modification of the request. Keep changes small: tenants can find heavily modified requests confusing.
- Decline. The tenant’s payment authorization is released immediately (they’re never charged) and they keep searching. Your reason helps Spotahome send you better-fitting requests.
There is no good fourth option: an unanswered request expires after 24 hours, releases the tenant, and damages your response rate — and with it, your position in search results.
Tip: turn on push notifications in the landlord app. Most accepted bookings are answered within the first few hours, while the tenant is still excited about your place.
Why speed matters
Your tenant is not only talking to you. Tenants relocating to a new city usually shortlist several homes and request the ones they like most. The first landlord to say yes very often wins the booking — and the others receive a cancellation.
This isn’t a reason to panic; it’s a reason to be reachable. A request answered in two hours converts dramatically better than one answered in twenty. Deciding what to answer is the easy part — see reading a tenant profile.
What the clock affects
Two metrics feed your search ranking, and it helps to keep them straight: your response rate (did you answer requests in time — accept or decline both count) and your acceptance rate (how often your answer is yes). The clock affects:
- This booking. After 24 hours the request expires and the tenant’s payment authorization is released.
- Your response and acceptance rates. An expired request damages both — it’s the only outcome with no upside. Fast responders appear higher in search results.
- Your reviews and repeat bookings. A smooth first interaction sets the tone for the whole tenancy.
Silence is the only wrong answer. Declining quickly with a reason is fine — it tells the algorithm you’re an active, engaged landlord. Letting requests expire tells it the opposite.
Three habits of fast responders
- Turn on push and email notifications in your landlord panel — both, so nothing slips through.
- Decide your criteria in advance. Minimum stay, acceptable move-in window, tenant profile. With criteria ready, most decisions take two minutes.
- Keep your calendar up to date. Most declined requests happen because the dates were never really available. An accurate calendar means every request you get is one you can say yes to.
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