Safety & Trust
Your safety is not optional.
LarnaStay is built on verification, secure payments, and transparent reviews. Here's exactly how we protect guests and hosts on every booking.
How We Protect You
Our four safety pillars
Host Identity Verification
Every host must submit a government-issued photo ID, a selfie holding the ID, and a recent utility bill before their listing goes live. Our team manually reviews every submission.
- Government-issued photo ID required
- Selfie verification to prevent identity fraud
- Address verified via utility bill
- Blue verified badge on approved hosts
Secure Payments
All transactions are processed by Paystack and Flutterwave β PCI-DSS compliant payment gateways. We never store your card details. Every transaction is encrypted end-to-end.
- Paystack & Flutterwave β PCI-DSS compliant
- Card details never stored by LarnaStay
- TLS 1.2/1.3 encryption on all transactions
- 3D Secure authentication for cards
Review System
Only guests who have completed a verified stay can leave a review. Reviews cannot be edited or deleted by hosts. Our team monitors for fake or manipulated reviews.
- Only verified guests can review
- Reviews cannot be deleted by hosts
- Star ratings across 5 categories
- Flagging system for suspicious reviews
Fraud Prevention
Our fraud team monitors suspicious activity 24/7. Accounts with abnormal booking patterns, duplicate identities, or fake listings are suspended immediately.
- 24/7 transaction monitoring
- Blacklist system for problem guests
- IP and device fingerprinting
- Automated and manual review flags
For Guests
Stay safe when booking
Only book through LarnaStay
Never pay a host directly before booking through the platform. Legitimate hosts will not ask for payment outside of LarnaStay. Report any such request immediately.
Check the verified badge
Look for the blue β Verified badge on host profiles. Verified hosts have submitted ID and address documents reviewed by our team.
Review photos and ratings
Read guest reviews carefully. A property with 20+ genuine reviews and a 4.5+ rating is a reliable choice. Be cautious of newly listed properties with no reviews.
Read the house rules
Each property has specific rules β check-in times, guest limits, smoking and pet policies. Violations may result in early termination without refund.
Communicate through LarnaStay
Keep all communication with hosts on the LarnaStay platform before booking. This protects you if a dispute arises and we need to review the conversation.
Know our support number
If something goes wrong at a property, contact LarnaStay support immediately on WhatsApp. We are available 7 days a week to mediate and resolve issues.
For Hosts
Protect your property and guests
Verify your identity early
Complete host verification to earn the trusted blue badge. Verified listings get 3Γ more bookings than unverified ones.
Use accurate photos
Only upload real photos of the actual property. Misleading photos lead to negative reviews and account suspension.
Never request outside payment
LarnaStay's secure payment system protects you too. Never ask guests to pay through personal bank transfers or cash before arrival.
No discrimination
Nigerian law and LarnaStay policy prohibit refusing bookings based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or disability. Violations result in permanent account removal.
Keep the property as listed
The property guests arrive at must match the listing. Downgraded rooms, missing amenities, or dirty premises are reportable and may result in a full guest refund at your cost.
Respond within 24 hours
Hosts who fail to respond to guest queries within 24 hours consistently receive lower ratings. Enable WhatsApp notifications in your dashboard settings.
Report a Safety Issue
If you encounter a fake listing, fraudulent behaviour, a safety hazard at a property, or any conduct that violates LarnaStay's policies β report it immediately. Our trust & safety team reviews all reports within 24 hours.
Book with confidence.
LarnaStay stands behind every booking made on our platform.
Browse Verified Stays