Short-Term Rental Booking Quote

A booking quote should remain valid for 24 to 48 hours to create a healthy sense of urgency while keeping your booking calendar active. For high-demand seasons or holiday weekends, you should shorten this window to 12 to 24 hours to avoid losing other potential guests. Once the expiration time passes, the quoted rate should automatically lapse so you can adjust pricing based on real-time market demand.

Yes, you must include and collect all applicable state, county, and local transient occupancy taxes just as you would on major booking platforms. Failing to itemize these taxes in your quote can result in unexpected out-of-pocket costs for you or severe penalties from local tax authorities. Always check your local jurisdiction's current tax rates to ensure your quote remains legally compliant.

You should clearly separate the security deposit from the booking total and specify whether it is an upfront refundable payment or a temporary credit card hold. Clearly state the exact timeline for releasing or refunding the deposit after checkout, assuming no damage occurs. This transparency reassures guests that their money is safe while establishing a clear financial boundary for property damage.

You can edit or cancel a quote at any time before the guest formally accepts and pays the deposit. If you need to make changes due to a guest request or a mistake, politely notify the guest and send an updated version that supersedes the previous document. Once the guest pays and signs, the quote becomes a binding contract and cannot be changed without mutual agreement.