The Service Fee is what you pay Uniplaces for booking through the platform. It is a percentage of your first rental payment, charged once per booking when the landlord accepts your request — never as a recurring or monthly charge.
It is separate from your rent. Your first rental payment goes to your landlord (Uniplaces holds it and passes it on after your move-in date — see below). The Service Fee covers the Uniplaces service that helps you find and securely book your accommodation from anywhere in the world, with a trusted platform, secure booking and payment processes, and support when you need us throughout your rental journey.
How much is the Service Fee?
The Service Fee is calculated as a percentage of your first rental payment, so it varies from booking to booking. If you book a single room in a shared flat or house, the percentage applies to the rent of your room only — not to the whole property.
You will always know the amount in advance. The exact figure is shown on the checkout page before you send your booking request, together with the full cost breakdown — your first rental payment, the Service Fee, the holding deposit where the listing has one (an extra amount some listings charge to hold the room, passed on to the landlord), and any additional Services and Expenses that apply to the listing (these are paid directly to the landlord after confirmation, not at checkout).
When and how do I pay it?
Seeing the Service Fee and paying it happen at two different moments. You see it before you request; you pay it only once your booking is accepted.
Here is where it sits in the booking process:
- You choose a listing and go to checkout, where the full cost breakdown is displayed — including the exact Service Fee.
- You send your booking request and provide your payment details.
- The landlord accepts your request, or the request is accepted automatically on Instant Booking listings.
- Your payment is processed: your first rental payment plus the Service Fee — and the holding deposit, where the listing has one — in a single transaction.
- Your booking is confirmed.
If your booking request is declined, or expires because the landlord does not respond within 48 hours, no payment is captured. You are only charged once a booking goes through.
All payments on Uniplaces are encrypted and PCI-compliant, and your card details are never shared with landlords. All transactions are processed in euros (EUR) — if your card is in another currency, your bank converts the amount at its own exchange rate. Uniplaces does not charge currency conversion fees.
What does the Service Fee cover?
The Service Fee covers the services and support Uniplaces provides to make booking accommodation abroad safer, simpler and more convenient — from finding your home to securing your booking and getting support when you need it.
- Detailed listings — access to accommodation with photos, detailed descriptions, house rules and rental conditions, so you can make an informed decision before booking.
- Checked places — some listings carry the Checked badge: a member of the Uniplaces team has visited the accommodation in person and confirmed that it is real and matches the photos. The visit confirms the place as it was at the time; keeping the rest of the listing accurate is still the landlord’s responsibility.
- Secure booking and payment — your booking and payment are processed securely through Uniplaces, giving you a safer way to rent remotely.
- The Safety Period — if the accommodation is materially different from the listing, you have 24 hours after your move-in date to report the issue to us.
- Support throughout your booking journey — our support team is available before, during and after your booking to help with questions, concerns or issues related to your accommodation.
- Landlord communication — once your booking is confirmed, Uniplaces introduces you to your landlord, and our support team can advise you on issues related to your booking or accommodation.
- A trusted platform for international renting — the convenience of having Uniplaces as the intermediary, rather than dealing directly with an unknown landlord from abroad.
Is the Service Fee refundable?
While the total or partial rent portion of your payment may be refundable depending on your listing’s cancellation policy, the Service Fee is separate from your rent and is non-refundable if you cancel. We recommend checking the cancellation terms of your specific listing to understand what refund options are available to you.
If your landlord cancels a confirmed booking, you receive a full refund of your first rental payment, the Service Fee and, where you paid one, the holding deposit, and the Uniplaces support team helps you find alternative accommodation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Service Fee charged monthly?
No. It is a one-time fee charged only when you book. You will never be charged it again during your stay.
Can I see the Service Fee before I send a booking request?
Yes. The exact amount is shown on the checkout page before you send your request, alongside your first rental payment and any additional Services and Expenses that apply (paid directly to the landlord after confirmation).
Do I pay a Service Fee if my booking request is rejected?
No. If a landlord declines your request, no payment is captured.
Does the Service Fee go to my landlord?
No. The Service Fee goes to Uniplaces, while your landlord receives your first rental payment. Uniplaces holds your first rental payment and transfers it to the landlord within two business days of the move-in date, once the 24-hour Safety Period has passed without a help request.
Is the Service Fee the same on every listing?
No. The Service Fee is a percentage of your first rental payment, so it varies from booking to booking. The exact amount for your booking is always shown at checkout before you send your request.
Is the Service Fee the same as the admin fee?
No — they are two different charges. The Service Fee is charged by Uniplaces and applies to every booking. The admin fee is set by the landlord, only applies to some listings, and is paid directly to the landlord. Learn more in What Is the Admin Fee?