How Rentals Work
Renting on Solist is simple and secure. Here's every step — from your first booking request through pickup, rental, return, and final settlement.
Flow at a Glance
Phase 1
Booking Request
The renter finds a listing, picks their dates, and submits a booking request. The owner has 48 hours to respond.
Browse & pick dates
Choose start/end dates and optional pickup time
Price calculated
Daily rate x days + service fee shown upfront
Instant book
Auto-approves if listing allows it and renter qualifies
Phase 2
Owner Response
The owner reviews the request. They can approve it, decline, or suggest alternative dates (max 5 counter-proposals).
Approve
Renter gets 48h to complete payment
Counter-propose
Suggest different dates or price — renter has 48h to accept
Auto-decline
No response in 48h → automatically declined
Phase 3
Payment
Three separate payment components are authorized. Only the service fee is charged immediately — the deposit and rental holds are authorizations only.
Charged
Service Fee
10% platform fee + Stripe processing. Minimum $1.50.
Hold Only
Deposit Hold
Security against damage. Released on clean return.
Hold Only
Rental Hold
Authorization for final amount. Captured at settlement.
Phase 4
Pickup Coordination
Before any physical handoff, both parties agree on where and when to meet. The owner proposes a location, the renter accepts or requests changes.
Phase 5
Checkout (Rental Starts)
The owner marks the item ready with photos. Then the renter documents the pickup. The process adapts based on item value.
Quick Checkout
For casual, lower-value rentals. Minimal friction.
Simplified "Confirm Receipt" signature. 2+ photos required.
Full Checkout
For high-value items. Complete documentation and liability.
Full liability acknowledgment. Condition rating, accessories verified, pre-existing issues documented.
Phase 6
Active Rental Period
The renter has the item. Both parties can report issues if problems arise. Late fees accrue if the item isn't returned by the end date.
Issue reporting
Either party can report problems with photos. Severity: Emergency, Major, Moderate, Minor.
Late fee: 1.5x daily rate
Per day overdue. Daily reminders sent to both parties.
Phase 7
Return Coordination
When the rental nears its end, the system auto-proposes the return at the same pickup location. This eliminates a full coordination round for most rentals.
If the owner wants a different location, they can request changes and the standard coordination flow kicks in.
Phase 8
Checkin (Return)
Same two-tier system as checkout. The renter documents the return, then the owner reviews and decides on deposit deductions.
Quick Return
2+ photos. Defaults: excellent condition, no issues.
Full Return
5+ photos. Condition rating, meter readings, damage assessment with cost estimates.
Owner approves
Optional deposit deduction for damage. Triggers settlement.
Auto-settlement
If owner doesn't act within 24h, settles automatically with no deductions.
Phase 9
Settlement & Payout
The system calculates the final amount, captures holds, handles the deposit, and pays the owner. Fully automatic.
Settlement Math
Rental hold captured
Final amount charged from the authorization
Deposit resolved
Released if clean, partially captured for damage
Owner paid
Auto-transfer via Stripe Connect
Deadlines & Automation
Everything has a deadline. If someone doesn't act, the system handles it.
| Situation | Deadline | Auto-action |
|---|---|---|
| Owner responds to booking request | 48 hours | Auto-decline |
| Renter pays after approval | 48 hours | Auto-cancel |
| Respond to pickup/return proposal | 24 hours | Reminder sent |
| Owner responds to return proposal | 24 hours | Auto-confirmed |
| Owner settles after return | 24 hours | Auto-settle (no deductions) |
| Late to agreed handoff time | 45 minutes | No-show notification |
| Rental overdue (past end date) | Daily | Reminders + 1.5x late fees |
Platform Economics
Renter Pays
Rental + ~13%
Service fee + deposit hold
Solist Keeps
~13%
Platform + payment processing
Owner Receives
~87%
Rental price minus service fee
Trust & Safety
ID verification
Required before first rental
Photo documentation
Required at both pickup and return
Digital signatures
Both parties sign at each handoff
Deposit protection
Held via Stripe, only captured for documented damage
Issue reporting
In-app reporting with photo evidence
Reputation system
Completion points for smooth rentals
Built for Trust
Every part of the rental process is designed to protect both sides.
Right-sized process
Low-value items get a streamlined 4-step flow. High-value gear gets full condition documentation. You never do more paperwork than needed.
No waiting around
Built-in deadlines keep things moving. If someone doesn't respond, the system handles it automatically — no rental gets stuck.
Secure payments
Funds are held until the rental completes. Deposits are only charged for actual damage. Owners get paid automatically after return.
Photo documentation
Both pickup and return are documented with photos and signatures. If there's ever a dispute, the evidence is already there.
Ready to Try It?
Browse thousands of items available to rent near you, or list your own gear and start earning.