June 30, 2026
Sometimes things come up and guests need to cancel. On MiniStays, each Host sets their own cancellation policy for their listing. This gives Hosts the flexibility to choose refund terms that work best for their property and rental style.
Hosts create a cancellation policy by setting up to three cancellation tiers. Each tier specifies:
Tiers are applied in order from furthest out to closest to check-in. The refund a guest receives depends on when they cancel relative to the check-in date.
A Host might set up the following cancellation tiers:
| Cancel at least... | Guest receives... |
|---|---|
| 30 days before check-in | 100% refund |
| 14 days before check-in | 50% refund |
| Less than 14 days before check-in | No refund |
In this example, a guest who cancels 20 days before check-in would receive a 50% refund. A guest who cancels 35 days before check-in would receive a full refund.
Regardless of the Host's cancellation policy, guests who cancel within 24 hours of booking will always receive a 100% refund, provided that check-in has not already begun.
The cancellation policy in effect at the time of booking is the one that applies to that reservation. If a Host changes their cancellation policy after a booking is made, the original policy still applies to that existing reservation.
Once a booking's check-in date has passed and the rental period has begun, the cancellation policy no longer applies. At that point, the terms of the lease agreement between the Host and Guest govern the stay.
If a guest decides to leave early, it is the Host's responsibility to handle any remaining payments or collections in accordance with the lease agreement. MiniStays does not mediate post-check-in disputes related to early departures.
If a Host cancels a confirmed reservation, penalties may apply depending on how close the cancellation is to the check-in date:
MiniStays holds the security deposit on behalf of the Host until the morning of check-in. This protects both parties and helps prevent bad actors.
If a reservation is cancelled before check-in, the security deposit will be returned to the Guest automatically.
On the morning of check-in, the security deposit is released to the Host. From that point forward, the Host is responsible for returning the security deposit to the Guest at the end of the stay, minus any deductions for damages, in accordance with applicable local and state laws.
For stays that exceed 30 days, the Guest will be charged on a monthly basis. Payments are due on the same calendar day as the check-in date each month. For example, if you check in on the 10th, you will be charged on the 10th of every month for the duration of your stay.
If your check-in date falls on the last day of the month, your billing date will be tied to the last day of every subsequent month (e.g., check-in on January 31st means you will be charged on February 28th, March 31st, and so on).
Hosts can configure their cancellation tiers when creating or editing a listing. You can set between 1 and 3 tiers, with each tier specifying how many days before check-in a guest must cancel and what percentage they will be refunded. For details on how to update your policy, see Change Your Cancellation Policy.