How bookings work
The full lifecycle of a booking, from request to payout, and what each status means.
Every rental on Rental moves through the same lifecycle. Understanding the statuses helps you know when to act and when to wait.
The lifecycle
- Request — a renter picks dates and sends a booking request.
- Approval — you approve (or decline) within 24 hours, or the request expires.
- Payment — the renter's card is charged when you approve. Rental holds the funds until the rental completes.
- Rental period — pickup, use, return. Both sides can message in the app the whole time.
- Completion — you confirm the item is returned in good shape. The payout is released.
Booking statuses
| Status | Meaning | Your move |
|---|---|---|
| Requested | Waiting on your response | Approve or decline within 24 hours |
| Confirmed | Approved and paid | Prepare the item; message pickup details |
| Active | Rental period in progress | Be reachable for questions |
| Completed | Returned and confirmed | Payout is scheduled |
| Cancelled | Ended early by either side | See Cancellations and refunds |
| Expired | You didn't respond in time | Request disappears; nothing is charged |
The 24-hour window
Requests expire after 24 hours with no response. Expired requests cost you nothing, but a pattern of them hurts how your listings rank. If you'll be away, pause your listings rather than letting requests pile up.
What the renter sees
Renters get the mirror-image view: they see your approval window, the exact total (rental + deposit hold + fees) before they request, and a message thread for each booking. Nothing about the exchange happens outside Rental's records, which is what keeps disputes rare and resolvable.