This Host Policy governs the rights, responsibilities, operational standards, compliance obligations and enforcement mechanisms applicable to all Hosts listing Units on the Bayut Daily Rentals Platform.
By creating a listing, accepting a booking or continuing to use the Platform the Host agrees to:
- This Host Policy
- Platform Terms & Conditions
- Fraud & Misuse Policy
- Dispute Resolution Framework
- Payments & Payout Policy
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- Listings & Content Standards
- Ratings & Reviews Policy
- Applicable laws and regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Ministry of Tourism (MoT) licensing rules
- Any supplementary operational guidelines issued by Bayut
This Policy applies to all listings, bookings, communications, transactions, deposits, disputes, and conduct, whether occurring on or off the Platform.
2. HOST ELIGIBILITY & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
2.1 Eligibility Requirements
To qualify as a Host, you must:
- Be the legal owner or duly authorized operator of the Unit
- Hold a valid MoT short-term rental license per Unit
- Have legal capacity to contract
- Maintain an active and verified Platform account
- Not be subject to prior permanent suspension from Bayut Platform
2.2 Mandatory Documentation
Hosts must provide and maintain:
- Valid MoT License (per Unit)
- Valid government-issued ID
- Proof of ownership or authorization
- Verified bank account details
- Any additional documentation required by Bayut or regulators (may change from time to time).
Failure to maintain documentation results in immediate delisting and potential suspension.
2.3 Ongoing Regulatory Compliance
Hosts are solely responsible for:
- Maintaining valid MOT licenses per property type at all times
- Ensuring Unit operations comply with MoT regulations
- Meeting local municipal, zoning and civil defense requirements
- Adhering to tax obligations
Bayut may conduct periodic or ad-hoc re-verification at its discretion.
3. LISTING CREATION & CONTENT ACCURACY
3.1 Truth & Transparency
Listings must be:
- Accurate, truthful, and complete
- Free from misleading content
- Fully aligned with the MoT licensed scope
Misrepresentation constitutes a material breach.
3.2 Mandatory Disclosure
Hosts must accurately disclose:
- Exact property location
- Property type
- Number of bedrooms, beds, bathrooms
- Maximum occupancy
- Amenities and facilities
- House rules
- Security deposit requirement (if applicable)
- Cancellation policy selected
3.3 Images & Media Standards
Images must:
- Be real and recent
- Reflect the current Unit condition
- Not be stock, AI-generated or materially altered
- Not conceal defects
Misleading visuals may trigger Strike Level 2 or 3 enforcement.
3.4 Listing Maintenance
Hosts are responsible for:
- Updating pricing
- Maintaining calendar accuracy
- Correcting inaccuracies immediately
Repeated inaccuracy may result in visibility reduction or suspension.
4. PRICING, AVAILABILITY & BOOKING MANAGEMENT
4.1 Pricing Rules
- Hosts set base pricing
- Hidden charges are prohibited
- Mandatory charges must be disclosed upfront
- Security deposits must be disclosed separately & will only be collected at the time of check-in and duly returned at the time of check-out
4.2 Availability Obligations
Hosts must:
- Maintain accurate calendars
- Avoid double bookings
- Honor confirmed bookings
Repeated cancellations may escalate to Strike Level 2 or 3.
4.3 Platform Rights
Bayut may:
- Run campaigns or discounts
- Adjust listing visibility
- Apply ranking algorithms
5. BOOKINGS, CHECK-IN & FULFILMENT
5.1 Booking Obligation
Upon confirmation, Hosts must:
- Provide the Unit as described
- Ensure uninterrupted access
- Deliver possession lawfully
5.2 Check-In Requirements
Hosts must:
- Provide timely check-in instructions
- Ensure keys/access codes are functional
- Be reachable at check-in incase access code is not provided earlier
- Comply with KSA ID verification requirements where applicable
Failure to hand over a confirmed booking without lawful reason may be treated as a Critical Dispute.
5.3 Non-Discrimination
Hosts may not refuse booking or handover based on:
- Nationality
- Religion
- Gender
- Race
- Lawful identity
Discriminatory refusal constitutes a material breach.
6. PROPERTY CONDITION, SAFETY & HABITABILITY
Hosts must ensure:
- Structural safety
- Operational electricity, water, air conditioning
- Cleanliness aligned with hospitality standards
- Functional essential amenities
Units must be habitable at check-in & Amenities shall be as disclosed. Uninhabitable units may trigger refunds and strike escalation.
7. HOST CONDUCT & PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Hosts must:
- Communicate respectfully
- Avoid harassment or coercion
- Not pressure Guests for off-platform payments
- Not retaliate via reviews
Hosts may not enter the Unit during an active stay without:
- Guest consent
- Legal right
- Emergency justification
Surveillance devices must be legal and disclosed.
8. PAYMENTS, COMMISSIONS & PAYOUTS
8.1 Commission
- Commission applies per booking
- Commission structure is disclosed at onboarding
- Commission is deducted before payout
8.2 Payout Timeline
Where no dispute exists:
- Payout initiated within 48 hours post check-out
- In disputed cases, payout may be delayed up to 7 working days
8.3 Security Deposits
- Deposits are collected directly by Host
- Bayut does not hold deposits
- Maximum deposit threshold: 50% of booking value (unless revised)
- Deductions require evidence
Excessive or unsupported deductions may trigger enforcement.
8.4 Withholding Rights
Bayut may withhold payouts in cases of:
- Fraud
- Guest compensation
- Regulatory non-compliance
- Ongoing investigation
Recovery rights survive termination.
9. CANCELLATIONS & NO-SHOWS
Hosts may cancel only under:
- Force majeure
- Regulatory prohibition
- Safety concerns
Repeated unjustified cancellations may result in:
- Financial penalties
- Ranking reduction
- Suspension
Guest no-shows follow a selected cancellation policy.
10. DAMAGES, CLAIMS & DISPUTES
Hosts must:
- File claims within 12-hours of guest check-out timelines within Host Control Panel
- Provide time-stamped evidence
- Cooperate with Bayut Resolution Centre
Compensation shall not exceed booking value.
11. REVIEWS & RATINGS
Hosts:
- May respond professionally
- May not coerce reviews
- May not offer incentives for positive ratings
Review manipulation may result in strike escalation.
12. FRAUD & MISUSE – STRIKE FRAMEWORK
Bayut applies a three-level enforcement model:
STRIKE LEVEL 1: Warning & corrective action
STRIKE LEVEL 2: Temporary suspension, payout withholding
STRIKE LEVEL 3: Permanent termination, booking cancellation, regulatory escalation
Circumvention attempts automatically escalate to Level 3.
13. DISPUTE CLASSIFICATION
Disputes are classified as:
- P0 – Critical (Safety/Non-Handover/Fraud)
- P1 – Material (Amenity or condition mismatch)
- P2 – Non-Critical (Preference-based)
Bayut retains final classification discretion.
14. ACCOUNT SUSPENSION & TERMINATION
Grounds include:
- Regulatory violations
- Repeated guest complaints
- Fraud
- Misrepresentation
- Payment circumvention
- Strike escalation
Termination may be immediate in severe cases.
15. TAXES & LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY
Hosts are solely responsible for:
- VAT obligations
- Income tax
- Regulatory compliance
- Civil liability arising from operations
Bayut acts solely as a marketplace facilitator.
16. LIMITATION OF PLATFORM ROLE
Bayut:
- Is not a property manager
- Does not guarantee condition
- Does not hold deposits
- Does not provide insurance
- Does not physically inspect Units
- Does not guarantee relocation
All decisions are within operational discretion and subject to law.
17. POLICY AMENDMENTS
Bayut may amend this Policy at any time. Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of Host Terms.