Frequently asked questions
Everything about booking a room or listing one on Theta Stays.
For guests
Is Theta Stays free to use?
Yes — always. Guests never pay Theta Stays anything: no membership, no booking fee, no matter how you book.
How do I book a room?
Search by organisation or location, open a room you like, and submit an enquiry with your dates and preferred booking length (day, week, or month). The landlord accepts or declines from their dashboard, and you'll get an email either way.
You'll need an account to enquire — signing up takes a minute and is free.
How do I pay for my stay?
Directly with your landlord — Theta Stays doesn't process stay payments. When they accept your enquiry, they'll include how and when payment is expected (bank transfer, cash, whatever they use). You'll find it in your acceptance email and on the booking's details page. If it's ever unclear, message your landlord directly.
How do I actually get into the property?
Your landlord includes access instructions (keys, a lockbox code, meeting them in person, whatever applies) in the same acceptance email and booking details page as the payment info. Reach out to them directly if you're unsure before move-in day.
Can I change my mind after enquiring?
Yes — you can withdraw an enquiry from your dashboard any time before the landlord responds. Once it's been accepted, get in touch with your landlord directly about any changes.
For landlords
How do I start listing a room?
Apply for landlord access — it's a short form. An organiser reviews and approves applications, and you'll get an email once you're approved and can start listing.
How do I set up a listing?
Three steps once you're approved:
- Add a property — type in the address and it's placed on the map automatically.
- Add one or more rooms inside it: photos, capacity, and a price for whichever booking lengths you offer (day, week, month — any combination).
- Add a payment card. A room can't be shown to guests until you have one on file.
Why do you need my card before my listing goes live?
Theta Stays charges a small platform fee for the bookings it brings you (see below), so every visible listing needs a working card behind it. Your card details are stored by Stripe — this app never sees or stores your card number.
How do I get paid by my guests?
Directly — guests pay you however you arrange it (bank transfer, cash, etc.) when you accept their enquiry. Theta Stays never touches that money; the only thing charged to your card on file is the platform fee below.
What does Theta Stays charge, and how?
Whichever of two plans suits you, switchable any time from your billing dashboard:
| Currency | Pay per booking | Monthly membership |
|---|---|---|
| AUD | 0% per accepted booking, capped at $15.00 | $50.00/month + $10.00 per extra visible property |
| EUR | 0% per accepted booking, capped at €15.00 | €50.00/month + €10.00 per extra visible property |
| GBP | 0% per accepted booking, capped at £15.00 | £50.00/month + £10.00 per extra visible property |
| USD | 0% per accepted booking, capped at US$15.00 | US$50.00/month + US$10.00 per extra visible property |
Whichever plan you're on, the fee is charged automatically to the card on file — nothing to invoice or transfer yourself.
What happens if a charge fails?
We retry over the following few days. If it still can't be collected, your listings are hidden from guests until you add a working card — at which point they can be made visible again straight away.