Enable deposit on my rentals
Enable depositAirbnb security deposit: protect your rentals without a card hold
A secure link, no upfront charge, capture months later if damages are found.
💳 0 commission, 0 € de frais :this feature is included in a €9.90 / month subscription. No commission is taken on the deposit and Stripe fees are €0. You stay in control, your guests pay zero.
Why a deposit on short-term rentals?
Since 2019, Airbnb has removed its built-in security deposit and only offers an « AirCover » host protection program with capped reimbursements, many exclusions, and processing delays of several weeks. Booking.com and Vrbo also leave deposits to hosts: collecting one is now your responsibility.
The traditional card hold (the temporary authorisation hotels use) doesn't fit short-term rentals: it expires in 7 days, far too short to detect a hidden damage (smell, fabric stain, broken appliance found at the next cleaning).
Our solution is closer to the SEPA mandates used by long-term landlords: the guest authorises once, via a secure Stripe link with strong 3D Secure authentication, a conditional charge for a given amount. Nothing is held at that point. If a problem arises, you trigger the capture up to several months after the stay.
Legally, the security deposit is perfectly valid for furnished short-term rentals (article 22 of French law of 6 July 1989, plus general contract law). No statutory cap applies for tourism lets — the amount only needs to stay proportionate to the property's value. Compared to third-party solutions like Swikly, Stripe Hold, or traditional card holds, LivretAccueil is the only offer natively embedded in your welcome book and with zero commission on the amount.
How the LivretAccueil Airbnb security deposit works
You stay in full control: you set the amount, you decide whether to capture or release.
You set your deposit rule
From your dashboard, choose the deposit amount (e.g. €300, €500, €1,000) and enable it property by property. You can embed it directly in your welcome book so the guest signs before arrival.
Your guest receives a secure link
A Stripe link is sent. The guest enters their card details on a secure page, validates 3D Secure with their bank (strong authentication evidence), and a conditional debit mandate is created. No amount is charged or held on the card at that moment.
The stay runs as usual
You see the deposit move to « Secured » status in your dashboard. The guest gets confirmation that the mandate is in place. No Airbnb commission, no hidden fees.
After checkout: release or capture
If everything is fine, you release the deposit in one click and the mandate is voided — the guest was never charged. If you find damage (even weeks later), you trigger full or partial capture with justification.
No commission, €0 in bank fees
You only pay €9.90 / month for the feature. No percentage is taken on the deposit, and Stripe fees are covered. You receive 100% of any amount you capture.
LivretAccueil deposit vs other methods
Three options dominate the market: the classic card hold (hotels), the Stripe / PayPal hold, and our solution dedicated to short-term rentals.
| Criterion | Card hold | Stripe hold | LivretAccueil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate charge | ✓None | ⚠None but funds blocked | ✓None |
| Maximum authorisation | ✗7 days | ⚠7 to 30 days (bank-dependent) | ✓Up to 12 months |
| Capture after late damage | ✗Impossible | ⚠Limited to hold window | ✓Possible months later |
| Guest authentication | ✗Weak | ⚠Variable | ✓Strong 3D Secure |
| Commission on amount | ✗Bank fees 1-3% | ⚠Stripe fees 2.5% | ✓0% |
| Welcome-book integration | ✗None | ⚠Custom dev required | ✓Native, 1 click |
Everything the security deposit covers
Strong 3D Secure
Each mandate is validated through strong customer authentication (SCA challenge) by the guest's bank — solid legal evidence in case of dispute.
Verified bank account (KYC)
To enable the deposit feature, your identity and bank details are verified via Stripe Connect (KYC). Your guests know they're paying a verified host.
Unlimited deposits
Create as many deposits as you have stays. You can reuse an existing one when the amount is identical, without asking the guest again.
Welcome-book integration
Enable the deposit per property and embed the request directly in the welcome book your guests receive before arrival.
0% commission
No percentage taken on the deposit. Stripe fees absorbed. You receive 100% of any amount you capture if damage occurs.
Capture months later
Unlike a card hold that expires in 7 days, the mandate stays active. You can capture even if the damage is found long after checkout.
When should you enable a deposit?
A deposit isn't only about vandalism. It covers common situations that neither Airbnb nor your home insurance will handle quickly.
Damage found at the next cleaning
An oil stain on a fabric sofa, a scratched stovetop, a stained rug: these are often found days after checkout, by your cleaning team. AirCover frequently rejects such claims for « late filing ». With an active mandate, you capture exactly the amount needed in one operation.
Late checkout not negotiated
The guest stays past checkout time, forcing you to pay for an emergency turnaround or compensate the next guest. You capture the surcharge (e.g. €50 to €100) from the deposit, with timestamped proof.
Heavy cleaning (party, smoke, undeclared pets)
Unauthorised party, persistent tobacco smell, traces of an undeclared pet: each of these creates extra cleaning costs covered by the deposit, no need to go through a multi-week AirCover dispute.
Missing items or lost keys
Missing sheet, key not returned, remote gone: the deposit covers replacement and the cost of new keys or even a lock change, up to 6 months after the stay if needed.
Direct bookings outside Airbnb / Booking
Renting through your own site, classifieds or word of mouth? No platform protects you then. The LivretAccueil deposit is essential off-platform as it replaces the (limited) protections offered by OTAs.
Ready to protect your next bookings?
Setup in under 5 minutes. KYC and bank account verified once.
Security deposit pricing: €9.90 / month, no commitment
No commitment, cancellable in 1 click. Includes: unlimited deposits, welcome-book integration, 3D Secure, capture and release in 1 click, email support. Stripe fees absorbed.
- ✓Unlimited deposits across all your properties
- ✓Secure Stripe link with 3D Secure
- ✓Capture / release in 1 click
- ✓Native welcome-book integration
- ✓0% commission, Stripe fees absorbed
- Stripe-powered payments
- Mandatory 3D Secure
- French hosts
- No commitment
Frequently asked questions
Is my guest charged when the deposit is set up?
No. Setup is a conditional debit mandate validated by 3D Secure. No amount is charged or held on the guest's card at that moment. This is the main advantage over a traditional card hold which blocks funds for 7 days.
How long can I capture a deposit after the stay?
You can capture up to several months after the stay as long as the mandate hasn't been released. This gives you time to find hidden damage at the next cleaning or to record unexpected costs (late checkout, lost key, etc.).
Is there a commission on the deposit amount?
No, 0%. You receive 100% of any amount you decide to capture. Stripe fees are covered by the €9.90 / month subscription.
What's the difference with Airbnb's AirCover?
AirCover is a capped insurance program that follows Airbnb's process (claim, mediation, multi-week delays, many exclusions: fabric stains, smells, cosmetic damage, etc.). The LivretAccueil deposit is a direct debit mandate you control — you decide whether to capture and how much, with no intermediary.
Can the guest refuse the deposit?
Yes, provided the refusal happens before arrival. Since the deposit is embedded in the welcome book and signposted on your listing / booking confirmation, the guest can cancel if they refuse. Once they're on site, they have implicitly accepted the conditions, so refusals are very rare in practice.
Is a deposit legal on furnished short-term rentals?
Yes. The host can request a security deposit to cover damage and costs caused by the guest (article 22 of French law of 6 July 1989, plus general contract law). For short-term furnished rentals, no statutory cap applies — though it must remain proportionate to the property's value.
What deposit amount should I set?
Common amounts in short-term rental are €200-€500 for a studio / 1 bedroom, €500-€1,000 for a 2-3 bedroom, and €1,000-€2,000 for high-end or pool homes. The amount should reflect replacement cost of linen, small appliances and exposed furniture.
What if I cancel my subscription?
You keep access to active deposits until they release naturally. You can't create new ones until the subscription is reactivated. No data is deleted, you can reactivate any time.
How much does a LivretAccueil Airbnb deposit cost?
The service is billed €9.90 / month, no commitment, cancellable in 1 click. No commission is taken on deposit amounts, and Stripe fees (3D Secure, conditional mandate, processing) are covered. By comparison, Swikly charges €1 + 1% per deposit and blocks funds for 7 days — that adds up to €30-€50 per month for 10 deposits.
How does 3D Secure work for the deposit?
When your guest clicks the secure link, Stripe asks for card details and triggers a 3D Secure (SCA) challenge with the issuing bank: SMS code, banking-app validation or biometrics. Strong customer authentication has been mandatory in France since September 2019 (PSD2 directive) and serves as solid legal proof of guest consent. No amount is charged at this point — it's a conditional debit mandate.
Go further
Protect your next bookings in 5 minutes
Enable the deposit on your properties, embed it in your welcome book, and benefit from direct capture if damage occurs. No commitment, cancel any time.
Enable deposit