How to Collect Guest Information for Your Short-Term Rental

Why guest screening matters

A furnished property is a real asset, and a five-minute verification step prevents most parties, damage, and chargebacks. Done right, it's also nearly invisible to good guests.

What to collect

• Full name and a government ID for the booking guest.
• Guest count and the reason for the stay.
• A signed rental agreement with house rules and damage terms.
• Contact info and, for direct bookings, a verified payment method.

How to collect it

Use your platform's built-in ID verification where possible, and a guest-screening or e-sign tool for direct bookings. Send the agreement and house rules before check-in, not after. Keep records securely and only as long as you need them.

Stay on the right side of privacy

Collect only what you actually need, tell guests why, store it safely, and follow your platform's rules and local law. The goal is to deter bad actors without making honest guests feel interrogated.