Stay Partners sometimes ask us questions like “Do your guests go through background screening or ID checks before booking, to help prevent illegal activity?”
It’s a fair question. The short answer is that identity verification and preventing illegal activity are two different things, and only the first is something a booking platform can realistically do.
What Nomad Stays Does
We have a number of identity verification points in place across sign-up, booking and payment, and we are continuing to add to them. These help confirm that the person booking your Stay is who they say they are.
Why Identity Verification Isn’t Prevention
Knowing who someone is does not tell you what they will do. A verified identity cannot predict or stop a guest from behaving illegally once they arrive, and no booking platform is in a position to supervise what happens inside a property.
We also have to respect data protection laws such as the EU’s GDPR, which strictly limit how much personal data we can collect about Nomad Stays Clients and share with third parties, including Stay Partners. That means we can’t run open-ended background checks or pass on personal records beyond what a booking needs.
Your Responsibility as a Stay Partner
As the operator of a property rental business, you are responsible for how your Stay is run, including how you respond if a guest breaks the law on your premises. Your rights and options depend on where your Stay is located.
We recommend you speak with your local legal advisors and law enforcement to understand your rights and the correct process for dealing with guests you find carrying out illegal activity.
Practical Steps You Can Take
Requirements vary by location, so treat these as a starting point to discuss with your advisors:
- Guest registration – many countries require you to see guest ID at check-in and register guests with the local authorities. Find out whether this applies to you, and do it consistently.
- House rules – set out clear house rules in your listing and make sure guests know them before they arrive.
- Rental agreement – for longer stays, ask your legal advisor whether a written agreement signed at check-in is appropriate where you are.
- Insurance – check that your insurance covers paying guests and any damage or liability they may cause.
- Know who to call – keep local emergency and police contact details to hand for you and your staff.
Tell Us About Any Problems
If you have concerns about a guest who booked through Nomad Stays, please contact us as soon as possible with the booking reference. Where you believe a crime has been committed, report it to your local police first. We will cooperate with law enforcement requests in line with the law.