Payments and bank transfer

PrivateStay does not process payments for stays. All payments are made directly between you and the host, outside the platform — typically by bank transfer.

How payment works

You will not be asked for payment card details on PrivateStay.

What the confirmation email contains

• Confirmed check-in and check-out dates
• Number of guests
• The host's bank account details
• Payment rules set by the host — this may include:
  • Deposit amount and deadline
  • Balance payment deadline
  • Cancellation terms
  • Payment reference to use

Follow the payment instructions exactly as stated by the host.

Which bank account you are given

Hosts often hold accounts in more than one country, but you are only ever shown the one that can receive the currency you owe. If your amount is in euros you get an IBAN, if it is in pounds you get UK details, and if it is in US dollars you get US details. You do not need to work out which one to use — the right one is the one in front of you.

Occasionally a host has no account for the currency you owe. In that case you will see all the accounts they have entered, and it is worth sending them a message to agree how to pay before you transfer anything.

Finding the details again later

You do not need to keep the confirmation email. Open your booking in your PrivateStay account and you will find a payment section showing the amount due and the host's bank details, along with their payment rules in your own language.

The details are only loaded when you open that section, and only for your own bookings.

Telling your host you have paid

Because the transfer happens at your bank, PrivateStay never sees it — the host has to check their own account. To save you writing a message from scratch, the payment section has two buttons: I've paid the deposit and I've made full payment.

Pressing one records what you have said and sends your host a message so they know to look. Your booking then shows that you have said you paid, and your host is asked to confirm it once the money appears.

This is your side of the story, not a confirmation that the money has arrived. Only your host can mark the booking as paid.

If you get a payment reminder

If your host has checked their account and marked your booking as unpaid, you may receive a reminder email with the amount, their bank details, and their payment rules again.

If you have already sent the transfer, it may simply not have cleared yet. Press the button in your booking to say you have paid, or send your host a message — bank transfers between countries can take several days.

Platform fee

PrivateStay does not charge a platform fee or commission on stays. What you pay the host is what the host receives. The only cost to hosts is the optional Pro plan subscription — this is not passed on to guests.

Pricing on the listing

The pricing shown on a listing page (nightly rates, pricing tiers) is informational. Use it to understand the host's rates. The exact amount payable may differ depending on your specific dates, length of stay, and any additional terms the host communicates.

Paying in a different currency

Listing pages show prices in the host's own currency, and you can switch the display to euros or US dollars. The note under the currency switcher tells you which currencies the host accepts.

• If the host accepts the currency you selected, the amount shown is the real amount you would pay. It is fixed when you send your booking request, and your confirmation email repeats it.
• If not, the converted figure is an estimate based on the official daily exchange rate. You would still pay in the host's currency, and your own bank's exchange rate and fees may make the final cost slightly different.

What if I need a receipt?

PrivateStay does not generate receipts for stay payments, as payments are made directly outside the platform. Ask the host to provide a receipt or confirmation of payment if you need one.

What if there's a payment dispute?

PrivateStay cannot mediate payment disputes between guests and hosts, as no payment is processed through the platform. If a dispute arises, you will need to resolve it directly with the host. For this reason, it is important to:

• Keep a record of your bank transfer
• Communicate any issues in writing via the PrivateStay messages system (this creates a documented record)