Subletly Safety
Safety Tips
Welcome to Subletly's Safety Tips! We're excited to have you as part of our community of mid-term renters and hosts. At Subletly, trust is at the heart of our community, and keeping everyone safe is a shared responsibility.
Below you'll find friendly, practical advice for both renters and hosts, covering everything from protecting your account to spotting scams. Let's work together to keep Subletly safe and welcoming for everyone.
Account Protection
Secure your profile, secure your stay.
Your Subletly account is your gateway to our community. Let's keep it safe. Here are some tips to protect your account and personal information:
Use a Strong Password & 2-Factor Authentication
Create a unique, strong password for Subletly (avoid reusing passwords from other sites). Even better, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) if available. This adds an extra login step (like a code texted to your phone) that makes it much harder for hackers to access your account.
Beware of Phishing Scams
Only log in at Subletly's official website or app. Check that the URL is correct and starts with https:// (look for the padlock icon in your browser). Scammers may send fake emails or messages that look like Subletly, asking you to log in or "confirm" details.
Subletly will never ask for your password, login code, or payment info via email or third-party links. If an email or text seems suspicious, don't click any login links. Navigate to Subletly directly.
Keep Personal Info Personal
Avoid sharing sensitive personal details on your profile or in messages. There's usually no need to give out things like your full financial info, social security number, or other private data to hosts or guests. Subletly verifies what's needed through our secure system. Never provide your Subletly login, verification codes, or bank details to anyone via phone or email. Legitimate staff will never ask for those outside our app.
Monitor and Safeguard Your Account
Check in on your account activity from time to time. If you ever notice something odd, like messages you didn't send or bookings you didn't make, secure your account immediately. Change your password and notify Subletly Support right away. If you accidentally share info with a suspicious person, update your password, alert your bank if needed, and contact our team for help.
Safe Communication
Keep it on Subletly, and play it cool.
Chat on Subletly First
Always use Subletly's built-in messaging system before and after booking. Our secure chat lets you get to know each other, ask and answer questions, and keep a written record. Keeping messages on the platform means our team can assist if issues come up, and it keeps scammers out (they often try to move conversations off platform, a big red flag).
Be Friendly and Savvy
We encourage a warm, respectful tone. Subletly is a community built on trust and kindness. At the same time, stay alert for unusual requests. If someone pressures you to switch to personal email or phone right away, or refuses to answer basic questions, think twice. Legitimate hosts and guests should be willing to communicate openly on Subletly.
Protect Your Personal Contact Info
Until a booking is confirmed, keep your phone number, personal email, and address private. Our messaging system should be sufficient for all pre-booking coordination. Never share things like login passwords, bank account numbers, or other confidential info via messages. Avoid clicking unknown links from people you don't know. Scammers sometimes send phishing links disguised as rental info.
Honesty and Respect Go Both Ways
Trust is a two-way street. Renters, accurately describe who will be staying and any needs you have; hosts, be truthful about your space and house rules. Respect each other's time by responding promptly and courteously. Subletly does not tolerate harassment, hate, or discrimination. If you encounter any such behavior, let us know.
Secure Payments
No funny business with money.
When it comes to payments, the rule is simple: keep all payments on the Subletly platform. Our secure payment system is there to protect both parties.
Always Pay (and Get Paid) Through Subletly
Renters, book and pay on the Subletly app or website using our checkout, never via wire transfers, cash, or external payment apps. Hosts, only accept payments through Subletly; do not agree to separate payment arrangements outside the platform. If someone asks you to send money by wire, crypto, gift card, or a random payment link, it's a huge red flag. Subletly will never ask you to pay a host directly off-platform.
Use Secure, Traceable Payment Methods
When you pay through Subletly, you're already using secure methods and your money is traceable. Avoid methods that are hard to trace or recover: no wire transfers, no mailing cash, no odd prepaid cards. Hosts, never accept a check that's "over" the amount and then be asked to refund the difference. That's a classic scam.
Deposits and Fees Through the Platform
Security deposits, cleaning fees, or extensions: handle it all through Subletly. If a host wants an extra deposit for a pet or longer stay, it should be added to the official booking, not requested separately via cash. Keeping payments visible and official helps prevent misunderstandings and fraud.
Too Good to Be True? Double-Check
Be wary of listings with unbelievably low prices or offers that sound way too good ("I'll give you 50% off if you pay me directly now"). Scammers often lure people with great deals only to ask for off-platform payment. Compare prices with similar listings in the area; if something is dramatically cheaper without a clear reason, keep your guard up.
Watch for Red Flags
Stay one step ahead of scammers.
Pressure or Urgency
Scammers often try to rush you. If someone says "you must decide today or you'll lose the deal!" or pressures you into skipping normal steps, be cautious. Trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable with the pace, step back and re-evaluate.
Requests for Off-Platform Deals
Any suggestion to take conversations or payments off Subletly is a major warning sign. Never send money before you've seen the place or have a confirmed booking. Keep everything on platform.
Incomplete or Suspicious Listings
Be alert if a listing has no photos, a vague description, or the host avoids answering reasonable questions. If pictures look stolen (watermarks from other sites, etc.), that's a bad sign. Feel free to do a reverse image search on listing photos if something seems off.
Identity and Profile Issues
Be cautious if a user refuses to verify their identity or claims to be someone they're not. If something doesn't add up, lots of spelling mistakes, odd stories, or avoided direct questions, listen to your instincts. If it feels off, investigate further or walk away.
"Pay me outside to avoid fees" or "Let's not tell Subletly"
Any attempt to cheat the system is a no-go. If someone suggests you not mention something to Subletly or asks you to lie, that's a huge red flag. Protect yourself and others by reporting these schemes to us.
By staying alert to these warning signs, you can avoid 99% of issues. Most Subletly users are genuine, so don't be afraid, just be informed.
Reporting & Support
We're here to help.
In-App Reporting
See that "Report" button or link on profiles, listings, and messages? Use it. These reports are confidential and go straight to our Trust & Safety team. We take them seriously and will investigate and take appropriate action.
Contacting Support
Subletly's support team is available for safety issues. You can reach us at support@subletly.com. If you feel unsafe during an ongoing stay or encounter an emergency, first contact local authorities (always call 911 or local emergency services if you're in danger). Once you're safe, let us know what happened so we can support you. Your well-being is our priority.
Community Reviews & Feedback
After each stay, leave an honest review. Future renters will read those to know the place is as advertised, and hosts will read guest reviews to feel confident too. Transparency builds trust. Consistent positive reviews are a good sign, and any serious issues will usually show up in feedback.
Watch Out for Each Other
The reason Subletly works is because of trust and cooperation. If you see something concerning, a new host with an obviously copied listing, or a renter posting inappropriate content, flag it to our team. Empowerment builds trust, encourages accountability, and fosters a shared responsibility for community well-being.
Final Word
Your safety is our top priority, and we're continually working to improve our platform's security features and policies to protect our community. These tips are here to help you travel and host with confidence. While we've got robust measures in place, no platform can guarantee a 100% risk-free experience. Use your best judgment, stay alert, and don't be shy about asking questions or reporting concerns.
Disclaimer
The guidance on this page is provided for informational purposes to help Subletly users make safe decisions. It does not constitute legal advice or an absolute guarantee of safety. Subletly is a platform that facilitates connections between renters and hosts; ultimately, users are responsible for their own conduct and decisions. We strive to screen fraud and enforce our policies, but we cannot verify every listing, profile, or interaction. By using Subletly, you agree to our Terms of Service and understand that any rental agreement is solely between the host and renter.
Stay safe and happy renting
Questions about safety or need assistance? We're here to help.