StayDirect is a service built by New Zealand holiday home owners, just like you. We link property owners with guests directly. No commission, no extra fees, no markup. Just a low annual subscription.
Same property. Same guest. Four very different outcomes — for everyone.
Enter your annual booking revenue. Watch their "service fee" become your profit.
* Free until first referral, then $199/year (introductory). Escrow is paid by the guest — it doesn't cost you a cent.
We don't stand between you and your guest. We introduce you — then step back. The relationship is yours.
Communicate directly with guests. Set your own terms, cancellation policies, and house rules. No algorithm deciding your visibility.
Zero commission. The price you set is the price you get. No hidden fees eating into your margins on every single booking.
Our optional escrow service can be selected by guests. This overcomes the fear of scam listings. The guest pays a nominal 1.5% fee for this service.
We provide a standard set of balanced terms and conditions which we encourage our hosts to use. No need to draft your own — our template protects both parties fairly and keeps things simple for guests.
We do not collect GST on behalf of the government. Your finances, your accountant, your decisions.
Manage your own calendar — include bookings from other platforms or block out times for personal use. Not mandatory, but it makes your life easier by reducing enquiries when you already have a booking.
Create your listing at no cost using our simple template — free until your first referral. Import your existing listing or create a new one from scratch.
Guests search, filter, and find your property. Set your availability calendar to reduce unnecessary enquiries. Quality listings rise to the top — no pay-to-play rankings.
Guest sends a booking request. You communicate directly — answer questions, negotiate dates, build rapport.
Guest books directly. They can add optional 1.5% escrow protection — held until check-in, released to you after arrival.
Stars are broken. Inflated ratings help nobody. Revenge reviews punish good hosts. We built a review system designed for signal, not noise.
Forget five-star vanity metrics. After every stay, guests complete a structured checklist: "Were the amenities as described?" "Was the location accurate?" "Was the property clean?" The result is a Listing Accuracy percentage — hard data, not feelings.
Every host on StayDirect verifies their identity and confirms their connection to the property. Guests know they're dealing with a real person who owns or manages the property — not a scam listing or anonymous operator.
Had a misunderstanding? Before any negative review feeds into your property rating, both parties get a 48-hour private resolution window. Host can address the issue, offer a remedy, or explain the situation. If resolved, the guest can update their review before it affects your score. No more "shoot first, review later."
To help prevent "bait and switch," guests are encouraged to upload a photo of the main living area during the escrow period. This creates a visual audit trail that verifies the "Standard of Care" — protecting future guests and honest hosts from false claims.
Protection and peace of mind for hosts and guests. We've built safeguards into the platform so you can host with confidence.
Most insurance companies will include cover for limited short-stay rentals if you notify them that you are offering this service. For full-time hosts we recommend getting dedicated insurance cover from a NZ insurer.
Stay Direct has negotiated discounted rates for our hosts with IAG. Get cover for a single rental or annual protection at preferential rates.
Get a Quote →Under our Stay Safe policy, all guest fees are held in our escrow account. Unless a complaint is received, the full amount is released to the Host 2 business days after scheduled check-in.
If a complaint is received from a guest within 24 hours of check-in, escrow funds are frozen and the dispute is referred to the Host for direct resolution. Please ensure you are available and responsive to complaints — most issues are easily resolved by direct negotiation or explanation.
If resolution cannot be achieved, the matter is referred to our independent mediation service. Mediation costs and related expenses are deducted from escrow prior to release of the balance.
Both Host and Guest agree to the Escrow and Dispute Resolution process under our site rules. This process is fundamental to the integrity of our platform.
StayDirect is designed by New Zealand hosts for New Zealand hosts. All subscription and escrow fees stay in NZ to fund the marketing and development of our platform. In addition to listings, here's what you get as part of the community.
We ask StayDirect hosts a simple question: "Would you rent your property to this guest again?" A yes/no answer is recorded against the guest name and shared with future hosts — giving you real intel before you accept a booking.
Fully booked? Refer the enquiry to another StayDirect host and earn Karma points. Help fellow hosts, help guests find somewhere great, and build goodwill across the network.
NZ-based hosts receive a Verified Local badge on their listing. Guests know they're booking with a real local owner — not an offshore operator or anonymous listing.
Stay up to date with platform news, hosting tips, regulatory changes, and insights from across the NZ short-stay community.
Your subscription funds active marketing of the StayDirect platform — driving guest traffic to your listing. Your fees stay in NZ, working for NZ hosts.
Connect with fellow StayDirect hosts at local meetups. Share stories, swap tips, and build contacts with hosts in your region.
No commission, no hidden fees, no per-booking charges. Just a flat subscription that pays for itself after a single booking.
List your property at no cost. You only pay once you receive your first guest referral through StayDirect.
Search, book, and travel — without a 14% "service fee" inflating every stay.
Join New Zealand hosts who are taking back control — and keeping the revenue they've earned.