At StellarStay, our goal is to provide warm, beautiful, welcoming homes — and to protect the properties entrusted to us by their owners. Some guests occasionally feel unsure about security deposits, so we want to address the topic clearly, kindly, and transparently.
Below is everything you need to know, with zero stress and full clarity.
🏨 Security Deposits Are Standard — Even in Hotels
Security deposits exist everywhere in the hospitality world. Hotels place holds on cards every day — guests often don’t even notice because it’s built into the check-in process.
Vacation homes are privately owned, often valued at hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. A refundable deposit is simply a sensible layer of protection, ensuring that homes remain in excellent condition for every guest who follows.
🔍 Why We Request a Deposit Only in Certain Cases
We do not require deposits from all guests. Instead, we have a responsible screening process to protect each home.
A deposit may be requested when:
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There are fewer than three previous reviews
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Reviews contain red flags from past hosts
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Communication is delayed or unresponsive
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House rules appear unread or unacknowledged
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Risk patterns match situations that historically caused issues
This is never personal. It’s simply due diligence and part of operating a high-quality, safe, SuperHost-level hospitality service.
🔒 The Deposit Is Fully Refundable And Not a Charge
A security deposit is not a payment.
It’s a temporary hold — you keep full ownership of the funds.
As long as house rules are followed and no damages occur, the deposit is released promptly after checkout. The vast majority of guests never even notice the hold once their stay ends.
📘 Airbnb Allows Hosts Like Us to Collect Deposits
Because StellarStay is an API-connected SuperHost, Airbnb explicitly allows us to collect certain fees — including refundable security deposits — independently.
Airbnb’s own documentation states:
“On occasion, a host may collect certain fees and taxes directly from guests using a payment method outside Airbnb. These fees can only be collected by certain authorized hosts. Such fees are usually charged before the stay, at check-in, or within 48 hours of checkout.”
Our process is fully compliant and long-established.
Airbnb is aware of this and will confirm it if you contact them.
If you attempt to dispute the deposit request, Airbnb will simply reaffirm our authority to collect it — and we don’t want you to waste your time.
📜 Everything Is Clearly Disclosed in the House Rules
Rule #5 of our House Rules explains exactly when a deposit is required.
This is part of the agreement when booking on any platform.
We always encourage guests to review:
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The listing details
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House rules
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Platform policies
This ensures a smooth check-in and avoids any surprises.
🧭 If the Deposit Is Difficult for You
We completely understand that everyone’s financial setup is different.
You have options:
Option 1 — Proceed
Submit the fully refundable deposit and enjoy your stay normally.
Option 2 — Cancel & Refund on Rebook
If you prefer not to proceed:
You may cancel through the platform, and if your dates get rebooked by another guest, we will refund the rebooked nights.
This gives you flexibility without penalty on our end.
⚠️ Before Contacting Airbnb About This
A friendly heads-up:
Airbnb is fully aware of our deposit practices and will confirm our policy. Guests who previously tried to “fight” this only ended up spending unnecessary time. We want your experience to be smooth, not stressful.
⭐ Our Track Record Speaks for Itself
We’ve successfully hosted thousands of nights with exceptional reviews, all visible here: https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/89419480
Our deposit policy ensures these homes stay clean, safe, and comfortable for every guest who comes after you.
🤝 You’re Always Welcome Here
With or without a deposit, our mission is the same:
To provide a seamless, comfortable, elevated stay you’ll remember fondly.
If you ever have questions, concerns, or need clarification, the StellarStay Team is always here to help.
Warm regards,
StellarStay Team
