At the Uniplaces checkout you can pay with a credit or debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal or Klarna. All transactions are processed in euros. The checkout covers your first rental payment, the Uniplaces service fee and, where the listing has one, the holding deposit; you are only charged once the landlord accepts your request. Every other payment stated on the listing — security deposit, admin fee, rent in advance, rent from the second month onwards — is paid directly to your landlord once your booking is confirmed, and this is normal.
Accepted payment methods
At checkout on Uniplaces, you can pay using:
- Credit cards — Visa, Mastercard and American Express
- Debit cards — Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit
- Apple Pay — available on Safari and Apple devices
- Google Pay — available on Chrome and Android devices
- PayPal — pay using your PayPal account balance or linked card
- Klarna — pay now or split your payment, depending on your Klarna plan and country
Bank transfers and cash are not accepted at the Uniplaces checkout. Nobody — not a landlord, not anyone claiming to be Uniplaces — should ask you to pay your first rental payment, the service fee or the holding deposit by bank transfer, in cash or to a personal account.
What you pay through Uniplaces, and when you are charged
When you send a booking request, you provide payment details for the first rental payment, the Uniplaces service fee and, if the listing has one, the holding deposit. A temporary authorisation is placed on your card for that amount — this is not a charge. The money is only taken after the landlord accepts, and you then receive an email confirming that the booking is paid and confirmed. If the request is declined or expires (the landlord has 48 hours to respond), nothing is taken and the authorisation is released by your bank, although it can take a few working days to disappear from your statement.
What you pay directly to your landlord
Everything else is paid directly to your landlord and never processed by Uniplaces: depending on the listing, the security deposit, an admin fee, a cleaning fee, rent paid in advance and rent from the second month onwards. The listing’s Services and Expenses section and rental conditions set out which apply.
Any payment to your landlord is legitimate as long as it is stated on the listing you booked and your booking is already confirmed. Some landlords ask for it before your move-in date, others on move-in day; both are normal if the amount matches the listing. The checkout methods above do not apply to these payments — your landlord confirms the amount and payment method with you; check that both match the listing before paying.
A request to pay is a warning sign only when your booking isn’t confirmed yet, you’re asked to pay the first rental payment, service fee or holding deposit outside the checkout, or the charge isn’t on the listing or is higher than listed. In those cases, don’t pay — contact the Uniplaces support team first.
Can I pay in my local currency?
All transactions on Uniplaces are processed in euros (EUR). If your card is issued in a different currency — British pounds, US dollars, Brazilian reais — your bank converts the amount at its current exchange rate at the time of the transaction.
Uniplaces does not apply any currency conversion fees. Any conversion costs are set by your bank or card provider. Check with your bank before booking if you’re unsure about its foreign currency rates.
Is my payment information secure?
Yes — all payment processing on Uniplaces is handled through a PCI-DSS compliant system. Your card details are encrypted and never shared with landlords or third parties. Uniplaces stores your card information securely so the payment can be taken if your booking request is accepted, but it is never visible to the landlord at any stage.
If you receive any message asking for your card details outside the Uniplaces platform, treat it as a potential scam and contact support immediately.
Can I change payment method after booking?
Once a booking is confirmed and payment has been processed, you cannot change the payment method used for that transaction. If you want to use a different card for future bookings, you can update your payment details from your Personal Dashboard before sending your next booking request.
When to contact Uniplaces support
- You’ve been asked to pay anything before your booking is confirmed
- You’ve been asked to pay your first rental payment, the service fee or the holding deposit outside the checkout
- A landlord is asking for a payment that isn’t on the listing you booked, or for more than the listed amount
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay in instalments?
Klarna offers instalment payment options depending on your country and Klarna plan. At checkout, select Klarna as your payment method and choose the option that suits you. Not all Klarna plans are available in all countries. See How to Pay with Klarna on Uniplaces.
What if my card is declined at checkout?
Check that your card details are correct and that you have sufficient funds available. Some banks also block international or online transactions by default — contact your bank to authorise the payment. If it still doesn’t go through, contact the Uniplaces support team.
Can I use a prepaid card on Uniplaces?
Prepaid cards are not always accepted, depending on the card issuer. If your prepaid card is declined, use a standard credit or debit card instead.
Can I pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Yes — Apple Pay is available on Safari and Apple devices, and Google Pay is available on Chrome and Android devices. Both appear as payment options at checkout where supported.
My landlord wants the deposit or admin fee by bank transfer — is that a scam?
Not by itself. These payments go directly to your landlord, not through Uniplaces, so the checkout methods above do not apply to them. The payment is legitimate as long as your booking is confirmed and the payment and its amount are stated on the listing you booked. If either check fails, don’t pay and contact Uniplaces support.
Are payments I make directly to my landlord protected by Uniplaces?
No. Uniplaces’ refund protections and the 24-hour complaint route after move-in apply only to payments made through the Uniplaces website. Payments made directly to a landlord are a matter between you and the landlord — which is why you should only pay for charges stated on the listing, and only once your booking is confirmed.