No more revenge reviews or star inflation. Our system asks a simple question designed to create an overall review of the visit.
See how reviews work →Guests pay a nominal fee to hold funds securely until check-in. If no serious complaint is received within 24 hours, full payment is released to you.
Most insurance companies will include cover for limited short-stay rentals if you notify them that you are offering this service. For full-time hosts we recommend getting dedicated insurance cover from a NZ insurer.
Clear, fair, and transparent processes for handling any issues that arise during or after a stay.
View dispute resolution policy →Hostu offers a calendar which can be synced with other platforms to indicate availability of your home.
Hostu complies with the IRD's online marketplace rules. When you sign up, you will provide your name, IRD number, and GST status to help us both meet our tax obligations.
See how GST works on Hostu →Hostu complies with the IRD's online marketplace rules. All host-quoted prices are treated as GST inclusive.
Example: $230/night
When we receive payment from the guest we will show the full 15% in the GST collected portion of your dashboard. When we pay you we will show the flat-rate credit of 8.5% in the dashboard.
Example: $230/night
If you are unsure about your GST obligations, we recommend seeking independent tax advice.
No – keep your existing listings and hard-earned reviews. The global platforms help you find new guests, but Hostu helps you keep them. Our carefully designed marketing brings back repeat business and encourages referrals. Avoid the 15.5% fee for repeat stays. Why pay commission on a guest who already knows and trusts you?
Our mission is to become the Gold Standard for New Zealand holiday homes. While our first priority is helping you keep 100% of your repeat revenue, we are also building a national network. As more Kiwi hosts join, we will offer and promote Hostu as a full service search platform for New Zealand holiday homes.
It’s as easy as sending a link. When you find a guest on social media or through word-of-mouth, you simply send them a Hostu Secure Link. Your guest receives a professional, mobile-friendly checkout where they can pay securely. We handle the processing and hold the funds during a secure holding period, paying out directly to your NZ bank account with zero commission.
You do. All your data on Hostu remains yours forever. You have full ownership of your Guest List and property information. Your data is fully secure, confidential to you, and can be exported at any time. If you choose to leave, you can delete your account and all associated data whenever you wish.
Yes. All guest payments are held in a secure trust account. Guests have 24 hours to lodge a complaint. If no serious complaint is received the full amount is released to you, without deduction. View our dispute resolution process →
We help you build your own private Guest List. Instead of guests being “the platform’s customers,” they become your customers. We capture their details so you can send genuine, human follow-ups—like a quick thank you or a heads-up about a local event—so they book directly with you next time.
You could, but Hostu automates the “boring bits” so you can focus on being a great host. For a simple subscription, you get a professional direct-booking page, secure payment processing, an automated Guest Book, and a robust trust and safety process—saving you hours of admin and manual bank transfers.