Frequently Asked Questions
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” — Albert Einstein
Our concept
Rentini creates a direct link between homeowners and travelers without any middlemen or hidden fees. Whatever you're looking for in your next travel getaway, Rentini can help. As they say on TV, you've come to the right place.
What are you looking for?
- How does Rentini work?
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List your property Search your getaway
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Let Rentini mix & match for you
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Enjoy your perfect getaway
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- How does Rentini earn money?
- Listing your property and booking on Rentini is free. Rentini earns money only when you do - by taking a 1% service fee from every transaction and a flat $5 reservation fee. Using Rentini is completely free for travelers.
- How does Rentini handle security deposits?
- An initial deposit is paid to confirm the reservation. The guest is then required to pay the remainder of the balance before their stay. A fully refundable damage deposit is also required which will be refunded to the guest after check-out. Rentini will attempt to obtain pre-authorization of Guests credit card relating to this charge and give assurances to the Homeowner/Manager that it can be honored in a timely fashion. Rentini will make an effort to address claims arising from Damage Deposits; however, the bank is responsible for the transaction and fees.
- How do payments work on Rentini (payments to Homeowner)? How do I get paid?
- For verified homeowners with a merchant account the payment goes straight to the homeowner. For homeowners without a merchant account, the payment goes to Rentini and is then transferred to the homeowner's bank account. Rentini can pay using Automatic Clearing House (ACH) direct deposits, or via PayPal.
- When a guest pays for an upcoming reservation, who holds the money?
- Rentini releases funds to unverified homeowners 24 hours after check-in. Verified homeowners will receive funds directly. One way to be verified is by setting up a Merchant Account. Use Contact Us form to get in touch with us for further assistance.
- What's the deal with fees?
- Currently there is no cost for listing property or use of Rentini. Rentini earns money only upon transaction. Fees during a transaction include a 1% service fee on the total cost of the transaction and a flat $5 USD reservation fee. Rentini does not charge a Guest fee. Note that credit card fees (between 2% - 3.5% depending on the type of card) will also apply. Rentini has no control over what Visa, MC, AMEX, etc., charge merchants. The remainder of the transaction is sent to the Homeowner/Manager as income.
- How do I avoid the fee PayPal charges to have guest payments deposited into my PayPal account?
- PayPal will charge you a service fee. To avoid this fee, you can select your Payment Method as a direct deposit to your bank account. In the meantime, we're working with PayPal to lower their fee.
- What if a guest sends me a check or pays outside of Rentini.com?
- Any transaction done off Rentini is treated as a separate service. Rentini is not responsible for deals done off-site. We are developing a function that will allow homeowners to accept checks through Rentini. In the meantime, you can block out dates or record reservations that guests make off Rentini by updating your calendar here.
- How do I rent my property on Rentini?
- Simply click List My Property and follow directions. Once your property is approved, anyone using Rentini to find their next getaway will be able to view the details of your vacation rental.
- What is the Website Builder feature?
- Rentini offers our homeowners a website dedicated to their property. Begin by selecting a theme from our choice of templates. This means you have the freedom to run your private rental business via Rentini. We will provide you with the tools and you do the rest. The website builder is a great way to utilize the internet to its full potential and manage your property yourself.
- What is the Owner Calendar feature?
- The calendar includes all the homeowner's properties and their rates, blocked dates and reservations. The calendar is in real-time and updates automatically.
- Who can list a vacational rental on Rentini?
- Anyone is able to list on Rentini, however all homes go through an approval process before becoming available to the public.
- How much does it cost to list my property on Rentini?
- It's free to list your property! Homeowner is given a number of essential tools to run their successful online business, such as a whole blown website with real-time calendar, payment and reservation systems. All for free. Homeowner doesn't pay anything until they start generating income.
- Does Rentini screen guests using the site?
- Rentini relies on user reviews, references, and reports in order to maintain a safe environment. We provide tools and features to help users decide who they are comfortable doing business with. We will also be implementing tools for internal use to help us detect malicious and inappropriate behavior.
- How do I create a profile?
- Sign-in to Rentini. Go to Dashboard > Profile > Edit Profile.
- I sign-in through Facebook but can't remember my password. What do I do?
- Contact Facebook to update your password. Since your Rentini is accessible via Facebook Connect, you must update your Facebook password in order to access your account at Rentini.
- I sign-in through Google Connect but can't remember my password. What do I do?
- Contact Google to update your password. You can reset your Google password here.
- I forgot my password. What do I do?
- Please go here and follow instructions.
- How do I change my password?
- You can change your password by going to Dashboard or Profile > Edit Profile
- How do I create a good listing?
- A good listing will help you receive more inquiries and consequently more rentals. Upload high quality photos and write a strong, comprehensive description of your property and surroundings. Be sure the activities and amenities sections are checked accurately. For more tips increasing search visibility for your listing, click here.
- How do I get reviews for my rental?
- In order to have Rentini verified reviews for your property, the rental transaction will need to be completed via our website. This means the guest will need to use Rentini to book and pay for your rental. Once their stay is complete they will be asked to leave a review.
- Does my listing need to have photos?
- Yes. In order for your property to rank highly in search results, you will need to upload photos. Quality photos are ranked more highly.
- What should my profile include?
- Your profile is a snapshot of who you are therefore you can be as creative and professional as you like. You could include an introduction, basic information about yourself and interesting facts. Keep in mind those looking to rent your property are likely to check out your profile.
- How much should I charge?
- We recommend you look at the market price for similar rentals in a comparable area. If you'd like to secure positive reviews for your property, you may consider reducing your price in the beginning and increasing it as you see fit. An unfair price could result in an unfavorable review, which in turn could reduce the reputation and ranking of your listing. Variable rates for high and low seasons should also be considered.
- I'm looking for a Maintenance Business. What should I look for?
- It is a good idea to have the contact of a business who can oversee the upkeep, care, fixing, repair and cleaning of your property. Service should be professional, of high quality, and include punctual scheduling. Please check local listings and speak with vacation rental owners in your area to find these services.
- How does the Rentini messaging system work?
- A traveler would contact you via Rentini and you can reply back and forth within Rentini's inbox, with the option to share your email and phone number. You will see guests email and can respond to them directly if you wish. The Rentini messaging system is your opportunity to communicate with guests. Please remember to be courteous and professional and to reply promptly.
- How many people do I have to share access to my property with?
- You will need to provide access to your guests and those you employ for maintaining your property.
- How do I edit my listing?
- Go to Dashboard > My Listings > Show/Edit Listing
- How do I add photos to my listing?
- Go to Dashboard > My Listings > Upload image
- How many property photos can I upload and at what size?
- You can upload 50 property photos; each photo can be up to five megabytes.
- How do I include a damage deposit on my listing?
- Go to Dashboard > My Listings > Show/Edit Listing
- How much time do I have to respond to a reservation inquiry?
- In order to be in good standing with potential guests, we highly recommend you respond within 24 hours.
- What is my vacation rental tax?
- Your vacation rental tax depends on the location and usage of your property. Zoning laws vary from state to state, city to city, and sometimes block to block. It is important that you check with your local zoning authority to keep informed of tax codes and zoning ordinances. Here is an article that does a fair job of covering the basics of vacation rental taxation. Feel free to contact us for more resources.
- What types of accommodations does Rentini offer?
- Rentini is currently building an inventory of all kinds of Vacation Rental Homes. We welcome you to list your vacation home - whether it is a cabin, beach house, chalet, villa, castle, loft, urban apartment, boathouse, or another kind of home. Rentini does not offer shared accommodations at this time.
- How does Rentini work?
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Search your getaway or List your property
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Let Rentini mix & match for you
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Getaway
Enjoy your perfect getaway
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- How do I create a profile?
- Sign-up, sign-in, and get going! At Rentini we make everything simple for you.
- I sign-in through Facebook but can't remember my password. What do I do?
- Contact Facebook to update your password. Since your Rentini account is accessible via Facebook Connect, you must update your Facebook password in order to access your account at Rentini.
- I forgot my password. What do I do?
- Please go here and follow instructions
- How do I get more information about a listing?
- The author of the listing knows best. If, after reviewing the information provided on a listing or profile, you still have questions or need clarification, send the owner an email by clicking "contact owner."
- How does the Rentini messaging system work?
- The Rentini messaging system works like an internal email. It is your opportunity to ask any questions, details, or instructions from the other party. Please remember to be courteous and professional and to reply promptly.
- How do I search for a listing?
- On the homepage, you can search by location, activity, dates, and number of travelers. Rentini will give you the most relevant results first.
- How many people can a listing accommodate?
- Each property description will say how many people are permitted to sleep over. Ask the owner if you have any questions or if you have a special circumstance.
- What activities are there in my travel destination?
- On Rentini, you can search by activities. Each property has a "nearby" section that shows what activities are near the property.
- How do I know that the listing is available for the dates I want?
- If you have a specific time period in mind for when to travel, simply search your dates under the "When?" box on the homepage. Your results will show properties available over those dates. You can also check the calendar on the property page to see if a specific property is available. Rentini will automatically inform you if you attempt to book a property that is not available for the dates selected. Ultimately, the owner is responsible for making sure dates are available and their calendars are up-to-date.
- What methods of payment are accepted?
- Rentini accepts all major Credit Cards and PayPal. We accept Discover, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club International, and Japan Credit Bureau (JCB).
- My Credit Card was declined. What do I do?
- Please rule out insufficient funds or incorrect data entered as possible reasons. Double check that the address you entered appears the same way as on your credit card statement. If your card is still being declined, please contact your respective financial institution.
- How does the check-in and key exchange process work?
- You will have to arrange check-in/check-out procedures, any key or access code exchange, with the homeowner/manager.
- How do I get to my accommodation?
- It is the responsibility of the guests to make travel arrangements. The owner/manager of the property you have rented may have advice on best driving routes, buses, trains or airlines. Local tourism websites may also provide advice on getting to your destination.
- What is the "feedback" button?
- Rentini's "feedback" button is located on the right-hand side of our pages. Use it to share your thoughts, report problems, or suggest ideas. We address all legitimate feedback, praise or blame.
- I have a confirmed reservation but can't reach the Homeowner/Manager. What do I do?
- If you've attempted to contact the owner/manager but haven't had any success, please contact us and we'll be glad to assist you.
- If I created a reservation but haven't received confirmation, are my dates still reserved for me?
- No. A reservation is only confirmed once payment is made. The guest that commits payment first gets the booking. Keep in mind that a homeowner can confirm availability to many inquiries, but availability may change once a guest submits payment.
- I messaged a homeowner/manager about renting their place, but haven't gotten a response. What do I do?
- Owners/managers may receive multiple inquiries at any given time. Try messaging them again. If you still do not get a response, consider looking for an alternative accommodation. We recommend inquiring with numerous properties to give yourself more options.
- What do I do if the Homeowner cancels my reservation?
- If a homeowner cancels your reservation, we will issue you a full refund. You may also opt to save this money as credit towards another rental through Rentini. We'll do our best to help you find an alternative accommodation.
- What do I do if I have to cancel my reservation?
- Please contact the owner/manager directly to explain the outstanding circumstances causing you to cancel. Should they decide to refund you more than the terms require, they will need to notify us of the exception. Should they decline to refund you more than the terms call for, they are entirely within their rights.
- When did Rentini start as a company?
- Rentini formed in 2006 and relaunched with a new website in 2012.