How can we help?

Search our most common questions, or reach the team directly.

Account & Security

How do I reset my password?

Choose Forgot password on the sign-in screen and follow the emailed link to set a new one.

How do I change my details?

In account settings you can update your name, contact details, addresses and notification preferences. If you both rent and let, your home address and your correspondence address are kept separately.

Why am I asked to verify my identity?

To keep the platform safe, and because it is required before money can leave the platform — so it applies when you request a payout on a property you own. Verification covers both your identity documents and your phone number.

Booking

How do I book a short stay?

Open the property, choose your dates and the number of guests, then select Reserve. The full price — nightly rate, cleaning fee, taxes and the card processing fee — is shown before you pay.

How do I take a rental?

Choose how you want to pay: the full term upfront, or monthly. At signing you pay the first month's rent, the caution deposit, the legal fee, VAT and the processing fee. Any remaining months follow as scheduled instalments.

Can I view a property before committing?

Yes. On a rental listing choose Book an inspection and pick a time. Viewings run Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm, local to the property, and need at least a day's notice so someone can meet you there. Some listings charge a fee for the viewing, paid when you book it; where there is no fee it is confirmed straight away. If you cancel a viewing you paid for, the fee is returned.

How much do I get back if I cancel?

It depends on the listing's cancellation policy and how far ahead you cancel. Short stays use Flexible, Moderate, Limited or Strict; rentals use Firm Long Term or Short Long Term. The listing shows which applies, and you will see the exact refund before you confirm the cancellation. Some short-stay listings also offer a free cancellation window.

What happens if I do not turn up?

A no-show is not refunded, whatever the policy. If your plans change, cancel rather than simply not arriving — a late cancellation usually returns more than nothing.

General

What is Smart Stay Rentals?

A managed rental platform. Every property is looked after by our team rather than left to the owner, so the person you deal with before, during and after a stay works for us.

What can I book?

A short stay is booked by the night, like a hotel. A rental is a lease paid either in full or monthly. Both are booked through the site, and the price and payment schedule follow the type.

Can I rent a place and list one?

Yes. The same account does both. Switch between renting and hosting whenever you like — we remember which side you were last on and take you back there.

Do I need an account?

To book, yes. You can browse without one. You will be asked to sign in or create an account before you reserve, so we can send your confirmation and let you manage the booking afterwards.

Is my money safe?

Payments run through Paystack — we never see or store your full card details. For a rental, the caution deposit is held by us rather than passed to the owner, and released once the tenancy ends.

Payment

When am I charged?

When you confirm the booking. For a short stay that is the whole amount. For a monthly rental it is the signing amount, with later instalments charged on their due dates.

What is the caution deposit?

A refundable deposit on a rental, usually one month's rent. We hold it for the length of the tenancy rather than passing it to the owner. It becomes available to return once the tenancy ends, less anything agreed for damage.

Which fees are not refundable?

The cleaning fee and the card processing fee are never returned. Rent, accommodation cost and taxes are refunded according to the cancellation policy on the listing.

Where do I find my receipt?

Under Bookings in your account. Each booking keeps its payment history, including the instalments on a rental.

How does a refund reach me?

Back to the card or account you paid from. Refunds are reviewed before they are sent; once sent, banks typically take a few working days.

Support

How do I contact support?

Use the messages area in your account, or the contact form on the site. Messages about a booking are best sent from the booking itself so we can see it alongside your question.

Still need help?

Our team is happy to help with anything not covered here.