How it works
From “I need it” to “got it.”
Rent from people nearby, or put your own gear to work. Here is what happens at every step, including how the security hold works.
For renters
Renting, step by step
No counter, no phone tag. Everything from the first message to the review happens inside Rentzy.
Find what you need
Search by keyword, browse categories, or look at what is available near you. Every listing shows its price, photos, area, and the owner’s ratings.Pick your dates
The calendar shows availability as the owner keeps it, and you see the price for your dates before you send anything. A booking is confirmed only when the owner accepts it, or instantly where an hourly listing offers instant booking.Send a request
Send a booking request and the owner accepts or declines it. Hourly listings can offer instant booking: you pay right away and the slot is held for 10 minutes while you do. You can message the owner while you wait.Pay securely
When the owner accepts, you pay through Stripe. The total is the owner’s price plus the Rentzy service fee, and the security hold is separate. We never see or store your card number.Pick up, use, return
Meet the owner (or take delivery where it is offered), check the item together, and document its condition. For a space, you visit during the time you booked. When you are done, mark it as returned. The owner confirms, and both of you can leave a review.
The security hold
A hold, not a charge
If the owner accepts, an amount is temporarily authorized on your card 24 hours before the rental. It is not an additional charge, and the hold is released after the item is returned in good condition.
Owner accepts
Nothing is held before this moment.
24 hours before pickup
The hold is placed on your card (right after payment if the rental starts sooner).
You return the item
The owner confirms its condition.
Hold released
The authorization is released. Your bank may take several business days to show it.
- Separate from the price
- The hold is never part of what you pay for the rental, and it is never paid to the owner.
- How much
- For items it depends on the declared value, from $50 for lower-value items up to $350 for higher-value ones, and items declared above $2,000 need approval from Rentzy. For spaces booked by the hour it is the deposit amount the owner set. You see the amount before you send a request. The full table is on the Fees and pricing page.
- When it is used
- Only if damage, loss, missing items, or late-return charges are confirmed, and never more than the authorized amount. While a case is open, nothing is charged or released.
- If your bank declines it
- The app asks you to retry or pick another card, and the owner is told not to hand over the item until the hold is confirmed.
Fees and pricing explains the service fee, delivery, installation and the hold table. Some rental businesses manage their own deposit. When they do, its terms are shown before you book, and you agree to them first.
For owners
Hosting, step by step
You stay in control of price, availability, and who you rent to.
List your gear
Add photos, a description, and your price per hour, day, week, or month. You approve each request, and you can switch on instant booking for hourly slots.Review requests
Accept or decline each request. To accept bookings you set up a payout account with Stripe first.Hand over with confidence
Hand the item over once the renter’s security hold is confirmed, and document the item’s condition at handover.Get it back, get paid
Confirm the return in the app. Earnings are released after the rental completes. If you do not respond within 12 hours of the renter’s return confirmation, the rental completes automatically. Details for owners are on the Become a host page.
Cancellations and refunds
When plans change
You cancel
Your refund follows the cancellation policy attached to the listing and depends on how far ahead you cancel. The app shows the exact refund before you confirm, and any security hold is released.
The owner cancels
You always receive a full refund.
Something goes wrong
Document it with photos and open a dispute from the rental screen. Rentzy reviews the evidence from both sides and decides what happens to the deposit. Read more on Trust and safety.
Stop buying gear you’ll use twice.
Browse what is available near you, or take Rentzy with you.
