Frequently Asked Questions

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General

What is iStopOver for Office Rentals?

iStopOver for Office Rentals is a website where you can rent business space for occasional use and benefit from all the conveniences of your own work facility without long term costs or commitments. iStopOver allows you to rent the type of work place you need on demand without having to work through agents. You rent directly with iStopOver.

What do you mean by “Host”?

Host is the term we use for the person renting out space to the Guest.

What do you mean by “Guest”?

Guest is the term we use for the person renting out space from the Host.

What does it cost to use iStopOver?

It is free to post listings, browse listings and register. When a booking is made, a service fee ranging from 6-15% is payable by Guests. It is subject to the same cancellation fee as the rest of the booking. (See Am I charged a deposit? for details).

How do I register for iStopOver?

You can register for iStopOver by clicking here.

Why can't I verify my e-mail address?

After you register, we send a confirmation email to your email address. Click on the email to confirm that you have received an email from us. (This is for verification purposes). If you do not receive the confirmation email, check the SPAM setting on your email account. You can request a “resend” by clicking here. Please be sure to let your spam filter know that all email from iStopOver is acceptable and should be directed to your inbox.

How do I change my e-mail address?

In order to change your email address, go to the Profile section of “My Account”. You will be required to reconfirm your new email address in the Profile Tab.

What do I do if I forget my username or password?

Click Here.

How do I unsubscribe from iStopOver marketing campaigns?

In the Preferences section of “My Account”, deselect “Receive email marketing material from iStopOver”.

How do I know if someone is trying to communicate with me or is making inquiries about a reservation, inquiry or a listing?

If someone is trying to contact you, you will see “Message waiting” on the main page as well as on one of the tabs of "My Account". If you wish to receive an email message notifying you that a message has arrived for you, select “Send an e-mail notification when a new email is received” on Preferences section of “My Account “screen.

What is meant by the tabs "Messages", "My Bookings", “Guest Bookings”, "My Listings", "Profile” and “Preferences” in My Account?

These are where you can monitor activity on your account and communicate with other iStopOver members.

• Messages shows you who is trying to communicate with you and helps you organize your messages between other iStopOver members.
• My Bookings shows bookings you have made with Hosts on iStopOver.
• Guest Bookings shows bookings that others have made with you (if you are a Host.)
• My Listings allows you to see all of your published and unpublished listings on iStopOver (if you are a Host).
• Profile shows you all the information pertaining to your account, including your Login Information, Account Profile, Profile Picture, and Host Payment Information.
• Preferences allows you to receive email notifications about messages received on iStopOver, marketing material from iStopOver, and set how distances and currencies are displayed on the site.

Why do I need to fill in Profile information the Account Details?

This information enables prospective Guests and Hosts to learn something about each other. Feel free to add as much information as possible to ensure a comfortable fit between Hosts and Guests.

What should I enter in the “Bio” section?

As a Guest: Provide any details or information that tells something about yourself, such as your profession, reason for renting, and so on.

As a Host: Provide details on yourself or your company. Please make sure to include any rules or information that would be helpful to prospective Guests.

Why should I include a Profile Photo?

A profile picture gives other users a sense of who you are that often can't be achieved with only a description. We recommend that you post your picture or company logo so that iStopOver members can see who you are and immediately identify with you.

How do you handle multiple currencies?

iStopOver lets you charge/pay for a space in any of our supported currencies (USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, and AUD). Hosts and Guests can view the charge in their respective currencies. Remember, the amount is calculated at the time of payment.

How does the Reviewing system work?

Reviews are a way for Guests to rate the business spaces they have rented in the past. They are a proven method for you to easily compare the experiences of others who have rented the space that you wish to book. Be sure to check reviews of other guests before booking, and please add your own reviews after using a space through iStopOver.

For Guests

Why should I rent work space from another business?

Many professionals rent occasional space from other businesses as an alternative to working in coffee shops or renting expensive boardrooms in hotels. You can rent the type of workspace you need on demand, at an affordable rate wherever you need it, whenever you need it.

What is iStopOver’s role in the process?

iStopOver is the introductory service between Hosts and Guests. iStopOver helps make the process simple and direct. By providing you with advice and tools to find listings that match your criteria – be it location, amenities or price - iStopOver makes it easy to find space in the cities and locations you need to go to. You are able to communicate directly with the Host, via the website, so that you can ask as many questions as you wish about a listing before you book it. Then, once a booking is confirmed between you and a Host, iStopOver makes the financial transaction safe and simple. You pay iStopOver directly using our secure website, and your money is then released directly to the Host once your stay is complete. That's it!

Note: For longer stays, you will be charged immediately for your first 20 days and in monthly (OR 20 day cycles) intervals thereafter until your stay is complete. You will NOT be billed for weekends unless you negotiate them directly with your Host.

What does it cost to use iStopOver?

It is free to post listings, browse listings and register. When a Guest stays in your home or apartment, you are paid your full listing price for that stay. iStopOver receives an additional 6-15% service fee from Guests for facilitating the visit.

How do I search for a listing?

In the left of the main iStopOver screen or on any listing page along the top, you can search for listings by location, type of space, dates required, and amenities (such as coffee machine, parking, etc.)

Why can't I find a listing in my city?

iStopOver is a member-driven marketplace for renting space. Sometimes you may find that a location you wish to go to does not yet have any listings. Unfortunately, this means that there are currently no hosts in that area who wish to rent out space. Check back often if you run into this problem - we are getting new hosts on the site all the time!

How do I book a stay?

To book a stay you will need to register as an iStopOver user. Click Here to register now. Then, simply find a place that interests you and click on "Book This Listing" at the top right of the listing.

How do I pay for a visit?

Once a booking is confirmed by you and your Host, you will pay the final booking amount directly to iStopOver. You will receive a Reservation Code immediately. Upon check-in, provide your Host with the Reservation Code, and they will use it to receive your payment from iStopOver. It's that easy! The rate you pay is based on your length of stay (half day, single day, multi day). All weekly rates are treated as business weeks (Monday through Friday, daytime hours). If you require access outside work hours, or on weekends, please check with your Host prior to booking. For longer stays, you will be charged immediately for your first 20 days and in 20 day intervals thereafter until your stay is complete. You will NOT be billed for weekends.

If I do not like what I find at check-in, am I charged?

Upon arriving at a Host’s business space, if you find that a Host's listing has been misrepresented on iStopOver, simply leave without handing over your Reservation Code. Your money will be returned to you IN FULL.

How do I communicate with Hosts?

iStopOver lets you communicate with Hosts directly through the website. This simple communication method between you and a potential Host allows you to get answers to the important questions you have regarding your stay. It also facilitates messaging and discussion between you and other iStopOver Guests. Your email and phone numbers are shielded. Notifications of communication can be sent to your email address as well, if you wish.

Am I charged a deposit?

iStopOver lets a Host charge a cancellation fee, which is like a deposit. Hosts have complete control over the parameters of their cancellation policy when they create a listing. Some Hosts choose to have a cancellation policy, while others do not. You should communicate with your Host before confirming your reservation to clearly understand the Host’s refund policy. Remember, the rental agreement is between you and your Host. Check the listing to see if a cancellation fee is charged. If you do not show up at a confirmed reservation that you have paid for, you may be charged a cancellation fee that can range anywhere from 5-100% of the total booking cost.

How do I cancel a booking?

Simply log in to your account on iStopOver, go to the "My Bookings" tab, and hit the "Cancel Booking" button at the bottom of the booking you wish to cancel. Once you confirm your choice, your booking will be cancelled immediately!

How do I search for a listing?

You can search for a space to rent on the homepage by entering a location, such as the name of a city. There are also additional fields you can use to narrow down your search. To search by available amenities, click on "Advanced" and check off which amenities you are looking for. This will make sure that only those listings that have the amenities you've selected will be found by the search.

At what point is a reservation definitive?

Once a Guest has submitted payment for a booking via the website, the reservation is definitive. Any cancellation of a booking after this point may result in cancellation fees based on a Host's cancellation policy (see "Am I charged a deposit?")

For Hosts

Why should I rent out my extra space?

Many businesses rent out excess space to generate extra money.

What is iStopOver’s role in the process?

iStopOver is the home for your listing, and makes the process of renting out your space simple and direct. This is done by providing you with the advice and tools needed to easily create a listing and think through all aspects of renting out space. Then, iStopOver brings potential Guests to the website to find your listing and facilitates communication with you. Once a guest confirms a booking with you, iStopOver makes the financial transaction safe and simple by holding the money that a Guest pays on confirmation of a reservation, and releasing it directly to you, the Host, on a monthly cycle.

iStopOver is the facilitator – you rent directly to the Guest. Please read the Host Agreement. Click Here.

What does it cost to list on iStopOver?

It is free to post listings, browse listings and register. When a Guest stays in your home or apartment, you are paid your full listing price for that stay. iStopOver receives an additional 6-15% service fee from Guests for facilitating the visit.

Receiving Payment

How do I get paid?

Once a reservation is confirmed by you and your Guest, iStopOver interacts with the Guest. The Guest pays iStopOver for the stay in full and receives a Reservation Code along with your address. When the Guest arrives, they provide you with the Reservation Code for you to enter into the website. At the end of the stay, iStopOver releases the listing fee payment to you via Paypal or check.

What is “Payment Method”? What payment methods are supported?

Payment Method is how we pay you after a Guest stays with you. Currently, we support Paypal and checks. If you have a Paypal account, simply enter your Paypal details and you will be paid in full or in installments, depending on your Guests' length of stay (see "How do I get paid?" above.) Otherwise, we will send you a check to the name and address you provide under the "Payment" tab in your My Account section.

What if a Guest does not give me their Reservation Code?

Guests have the provision to cancel the booking if they are not satisfied with the space that you have provided. After inspection, if a Guest decides not to stay in your space at check-in, for whatever reason, they can leave without providing you with the Reservation Code and their payment is returned to them. This is a safeguard for Guests. If a Guest does not give you their Reservation Code on arrival, you should not let them in.

Can I charge a deposit?

It is acceptable for Hosts to charge a cancellation fee. A cancellation fee acts like a deposit, and iStopOver has ensured that you have complete control over the parameters of your cancellation policy when you create a listing. Some Hosts choose to have a cancellation policy, while others do not. However, it is important that you clearly communicate your policy to your Guests.

You may choose to charge a cancellation fee if a Guest cancels any time after a reservation has been confirmed and payment has been made, or only after a specified time prior to arrival (for example, less than 1 week prior to arrival). You may also choose the amount you will receive for a cancellation (done as a percentage of the total booking cost) if a guest cancels after your specified time frame. Percentages can range from 5-100%

It is up to you to decide whether you want to apply a policy or not. A cancellation policy may protect you from being left empty-handed if a guest fails to arrive, but it can also put some guests off when booking your rental. A cancellation fee is useful if you are concerned that a Guest may not show up or to ensure that you will still receive a portion (or all) of the funds if a guest cancels too late for you to re-book your space in time.

Can iStopOver take a security deposit and then return it to the guest after their stay?

iStopOver does not facilitate security deposits. We recommend you negotiate this directly with your Guest before you confirm the booking.

What legal, insurance and tax issues do I need to consider for listings?

Depending on where you are located, how many days a year you rent, etc. you may be taxed on your income or other taxes may be applied. If you are in the USA, iStopOver has an arrangement with Hotspot Tax Services, which offers a cost effective means of managing your taxes.



Click here to go to Hotspot Tax Services for details.

You should consider other aspects of renting your space, such as, any legal issues regarding renting, and whether your insurance covers Guests.

My Listings

How do I post a listing?

First, register as an iStopOver user. Then, simply click on the orange “Post a Listing” button in the top right of the screen, and you will be guided through the simple listing process. Once you are satisfied with your listing, you can publish it to the site and it will become available for potential Guests to view. You may edit your listing at anytime, even after it has been published.

Can I post multiple listings?

Yes, you can post multiple listings as long as they are for different offerings (different work spaces).

What title should I give my listing?

Choose a title that is catchy, and describes the essence of your space. Be creative and think about how you are differentiating yourself from other Hosts with your listing title.

Here are some examples to get your creative juices flowing: "Large Professional Boardroom", "Incredible Work Space with Privacy", "Great Meeting Room close to Airport", "Corner Office with Stunning View of the City."

My address can't be verified! What should I do?

Sometimes Google can't find an address you give it, even though you've entered it in correctly. If this occurs, please let us know at support@istopover.com and we will help you fix the issue.

How much information should I list in “Description”?

You should enter as many details that will describe what you are renting out as possible. Think of yourself as a Guest and try to imagine what you would want to know about a space you were thinking of renting. Good questions to answer in your listing description include: What is the location like? Is the atmosphere formal or informal? What restaurants and points of interest are close by? and, How easy is it to get to? Feel free to also add information pertaining to any rules or requirements you may have for your space.

How much should I charge?

This is up to you - you set the price. You may want to research how much alternative rentals charge in your area, such as hotels and temporary office rental websites. Most daily rates for offices start in the low hundreds, and hotels charge $300-$400 and up per day for conference and board room space. This is largely dependent on your location, the level of luxury of your establishment, and the quality of amenities you provide. It is not unusual to see a hotel charging $1000/day or more for a boardroom with a large mahogany table, highback leather chairs, and a great view. On the other hand, a cubicle with no view and limited desk space would probably not be worth very much by comparison.

Think of yourself as a Guest, and how much you would be willing to pay. Also keep in mind your added expenses resulting from a Guest’s stay such as coffee, stationary, etc.

What file types do you support for photos?

In general, we support most types of photos. JPGs tend to work best.

How many photos should I upload to my listing?

Photos are perhaps the most important part of a listing, and the more you upload the better. iStopOver currently allows you to upload a maximum of 10 photos to each Listing. Ensure that your photos are well-taken, crisp, and show off the space you are renting. Consider having your photos professionally taken or try borrowing a high-end digital camera in order to get the best pictures you can. Be sure to show the space that a Guest will be using, but don't stop there. Other useful photos are ones that show common areas such as kitchen or break area, reception, etc. Exterior shots or photos of your building can also help sell potential Guests on your property. Again, be creative and try to imagine what kind of pictures would impress you if you were a Guest looking at your listing.

What are “Places of interest”?

Places of interest are places in your area that Guests might find interesting or that show off your location or city. When you add a Place of Interest, it will be included on your map so Guests can see all of the great attractions and things to do in your area. Examples of Places of Interest are coffee shops, favorite restaurants, public transportation, and attractions.

What is the Availability Schedule?

This is where you indicate which dates your space is available for Guests to rent. Be sure to keep this up-to-date so that prospective guests can see when you have availability.

What does Published and Unpublished mean?

Once you have a listing, you can keep it “unpublished” until you are ready to show it to others. “Unpublished” means that only you can see it. Keep it unpublished until you are comfortable that it is complete and ready for viewing by prospective Guests. It is also useful to “unpublish” your listing if you want to take it “off the market” for a while, or if you want to create an improved listing. "Published" simply means that your listing is viewable by visitors to iStopOver. Remember, you can have multiple listings as long as they are for different offerings, such as offices, parking spots or meeting rooms.

Is there a direct URL to my listing or do I have to navigate there every time?

es, there is. Once you have published a listing, the address shown in the top bar of your browser will always be the URL where you can access your listing. Feel free to bookmark this link in order to navigate to it easily in the future, or use it promote your space by linking others directly to your listing on iStopOver.

Bookings

What happens if I don’t want to confirm a Guest?

If at any time you do not want to host a Guest, you can simply reject their booking request. It is important to reject a booking rather than leave it in limbo - when a Guest has an open booking request with you, the dates on your availability calendar will appear as "Tentatively Booked" until you either accept or reject the booking. Remember, you have no obligation to host a Guest you are not comfortable with.

At what point is a reservation definitive?

Once a Guest has submitted payment for a booking via the website, the reservation is definitive. Any cancellation of a booking after this point may result in cancellation fees to the Guest based on your cancellation policy (see "Can I charge a deposit?")

Am I protected against Fraud?

You are protected against payment Fraud. iStopOver ensures that payment is cleared before a Guest is given a Reservation Code and your address. So, if a guest shows up at your door, you can be assured that they have paid in full or up to a 20-day cycle. However, remember that you are renting space in your establishment and YOU are responsible for any other issues including Guest fraud, theft etc. Be sure to immediately enter the Guest Code into our system to confirm that you have been provided with a legitimate code. Also, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that you are comfortable with your Guest. You are entitled to ask for identification. You are completely responsible for any other fraud. Be sure to read the user agreement to see your rights.

What can I do to protect myself from Abuse?

Be sure you are comfortable with your Guest by communicating with them through the website before you accept their booking request. Feel free to ask a Guest for information before they arrive, and request that they upload any relevant information you would like to see, including a picture of themselves, to their profile. Check references and Internet links such as websites , Facebook or LinkedIn accounts. You may also wish to ask for identification when your Guest arrives - Please ensure that you make these requirements clear in your listing description. While most Guests are responsible, it is up to you to ensure that Guests are acceptable to you.

How do I report Abuse?

Immediately contact iStopOver at support@istopover.com. If there is anything that may be criminal (stealing, etc.) be sure to contact the police as well. Remember, you are entitled to ask a Guest to leave your establishment.