Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

SabbaticalHomes provides a worldwide listing service for Minds on the Move that need to find housing/tenants or want to offer temporary accommodations.

Members can post their property for home rental, exchange, house sitting and/or home sharing and can also create tenant listings with or without home sharing and house sitting. SabbaticalHomes fees are listed in USD (the equivalent amount can be paid in other currencies):

• Home Listing Fees start at USD $60 annually
• Tenant Listing Fees start at USD $20 annually
• A Made-a-Match Fee of USD $50 is due for both members for each match found on the website

Because our service is a directory for like-minded people to find a match, each member establishes his or her own listing price and terms of agreement. Rental payments are made directly between members (after checking references).

Learn more about the SabbaticalHomes team.

#1 - Who uses SabbaticalHomes?

SabbaticalHomes provides a worldwide listing service for minds on the move that need to find or want to offer temporary accommodations. Whether it is for sabbaticals, academic research, writing retreats, relocations, or time-off travel, we provide people a way to find and offer temporary homes around the world.

#2 - I’m not an Academic, can I still join?

While you do not have to be an academic to use our site, we do cater to an academic community. Helping academics, scholars, writers, artists, and friends find home matches across the globe is our goal.

#3 - How much does it cost?

Our reasonable fees are listed in USD (the equivalent amount can be paid in other currencies). Listing fees are based on a member’s academic status:

• Home Listing Fees start at USD $60 annually
• Tenant Listing Fees start at USD $20 annually
• For each match found on the website, a Made-a-Match Fee of USD $50 is due from both members

You can see more details about pricing here.

#4 - Do you vet members and/or homes?

We do not vet members or conduct site visits. That is why it is important to do your due diligence. Be sure to check references, review a member's trust score, etc.

#5 - How do I negotiate/draft a contract?

We have a great resource section where we provide lots of information to help you have a successful stay. Click here for specific information regarding contract guidelines.

#6 - How do members make payments to each other?

When you have found another member that seems like a good fit for your housing needs, you’ll both check references and create a contract outside of our platform. Rental payments are made directly between members.

Never use a non-refundable money transfer tool (such as Western Union, MoneyGram, or Venmo) to transfer money to anyone until you have done your due diligence. For more tips about payment options, click here.

#7 - Do you only offer long-term housing opportunities?

No, we offer short, medium, and long-term housing opportunities as our members have a variety of different housing needs.

#8 - Do homes need to be furnished?

No, rentals do not need to be furnished. While many of our members are looking for short or medium-term options with furnishings, we also have members who are looking for longer-term opportunities and unfurnished may be preferred.

#9 - How do I reset my password?

Click here to reset your password.

#10 - How do I cancel my account?

Please contact us and let us know you would like to cancel your account and we will take care of it.

While you do not have to be an academic to use our site, we do cater to an academic community. Helping academics, scholars, writers, artists, and friends find home matches across the globe is our goal. Whether it is for sabbaticals, academic research, writing retreats, relocations, or time-off travel, we provide people a way to find and offer temporary homes around the world.

Click here to see if you qualify as an academic or how to register if you are retired, etc.

Members can post their property for home rental, exchange, sitting and/or sharing and can also register as a potential tenant and/or house sitter. For all of these services offered, independent arrangements are made between members.

Learn more about all of our types of listings:

• Home Rentals
• Home Exchanges
• House Sitting
• Home Sharing
• Tenant Listings

The new website has an updated look, but maintains much of the same capabilities with important updates to current technology standards (improvements to our already strong security measures), plus enhancements to how you use the website on your phone or tablet. All current listings and information are available on the new website.

We are excited to introduce Trust Points; every member earns them automatically and they add up to your Trust Score (displayed on your Public Profile and your Listings). You will be awarded Trust Points for the number of years you have been an active member of SabbaticalHomes, for every match you announce or confirm, for References and Reviews you write, and more!

We look at a member's Trust Score as a way for you to build credibility on the website by showing others in our community how connected you are by your interactions over time. New members might have a score of 20 points or less. Longtime members who have made multiple matches, written reviews and referred others would be expected to have a higher score (50 or more points).

If your current password does not meet the following new, enhanced security requirements, you will be prompted to reset it:

• Must be at least 8 characters, including at least 1 number, 1 Upper Case character, and 1 Lower Case character

Yes, all listings that were created on the previous website have been migrated to the upgraded website. You can edit any part of your listings as well as change the visibility (Visible, Private, Hidden) at any time during the 12 months of your annual listing fee cycle.

• First, log in to your account (you will be prompted to update your password if your current password does not meet the new enhanced security requirements)
• Once you are logged in, click on your "Alias" to see the list of your dashboards in your account
• Select My Listings
• You will see My Home Listings in the top section and My Tenant Listings in the lower section
• Use the buttons on the right to view, edit your listing, change the visibility, make a payment or announce a match
• To quickly update listing dates, click on the blue “Update” link next to your Available dates

Members now have to log in and respond to messages via our platform initially (using the Message dashboard) versus having to use their personal email as in the past. In addition, all members must register prior to contacting or sending a message to another user. You will still receive an email alert notifying you that you have received a new message. Security has been fortified to protect member privacy.

You are encouraged to keep your communications on the website in your Messages dashboard until you check references and have a "chemistry check" conversation or video call. You are then welcome to move your communication off of our platform. For guidance, refer to our blogs:

Questions to ask Prospective Tenants

Questions to ask Prospective Landlords

Checking References

Matches (typically when you have finalized a housing agreement) and Made-a-Match Fees have been longtime features on SabbaticalHomes. Now we've made it even easier for you to manage, announce and confirm your matches with your Matches dashboard. Even better, you'll earn Trust Points for every match you announce or confirm!

Yes, all of your interactions on SabbaticalHomes in past years will contribute to your Trust Score. You will be given Trust Points for your past years of membership, the number of listings you have created (and the number of times you have renewed listings), your references, matches, reviews, and more! When you are logged in, go to your Trust Score dashboard to see how your Trust Points add up.

While you do not have to be an Academic to use our site, we do cater to an Academic community. Academic affiliation can be substantiated by using a valid email associated with a university, college, university hospital, museum, research or other scholarly institution. A verification email will be sent to validate academic status.

If you are an academic who does not belong to a traditional organization (medical researcher, scientist, writer) or you are retired, please register as an Independent Scholar.

There are four categories of academics at SabbaticalHomes.com:

Registering is free and allows you to utilize most of the features our site has to offer. Fees apply when you post a listing and when you make a match. As a member you may post a listing, save listings that interest you, and exchange messages with other members.

When filling out the registration form, be sure to fill in all fields marked with an asterisk (*) otherwise the system will not let you register.

Register to create a free account and then fill out the requested information on the My Profile section of your dashboard. Be sure to include a profile picture, description (background, travel experience, academic affiliations), and spoken language(s) which will make it easier to find the right fit with another member. Links to your university or LinkedIn account are appreciated as well.

Only registered members of SabbaticalHomes may see your public profile. However, only your chosen Alias will display, not your full name or address.

Login to your account. (If you haven't already, you will need to Register with us)

Post a Home Listing:

Click on Post Home Listing and fill out the requested information. You may choose to list your home for rent or to exchange (or both!). You can add house sitting options as well. A catchy title, detailed description, accurate availability dates, and great photos go a long way. Upon payment, your listing will be posted.

Quick Tip: keep in mind you can include up to 10 photos, so have them handy when you begin the process

Post a Tenant Listing:

Click on Post Tenant Listing to list yourself as a potential tenant.

Include important information: A detailed description about yourself, where you'd like to go, your travel dates, any house sitting you are willing to do, and your budget. Upon payment, your listing will be posted.

The newly added Trust Score feature reflects a member’s level of involvement and commitment within the SabbaticalHomes community. The more involved you are with the site and other members, the higher your Trust Score will be. Trust Scores are not a percentage and there is not a maximum amount of points a member can earn.

New members might have a score of 20 points or less. Longtime members who have made multiple matches, written reviews, and referred others would be expected to have a higher score (50 or more points).

While a Trust Score is a good indication of a member's integrity, it is still important to do your due diligence by checking references and doing an initial chemistry check. The perfect rental or tenant for one member may not be the perfect option for you.

SabbaticalHomes members can earn Trust Points for different actions such as completing registration, writing or receiving references, inviting new members, announcing matches, and writing reviews. You will earn Trust Points automatically and you do not have to do anything to claim points.

You will earn Trust Points automatically and you do not have to do anything to claim points. Each year of membership will increase your overall Trust Score.

New members might have a score of 20 points or less. Others can see what year a member joined, so will understand a newer member may not have had time to earn as many points yet.

Longtime members who have made multiple matches, written reviews, and referred others could expect to have a higher score (50 or more points).

Trust Points are designed to be a positive reflection of your interactions. If you have been a member for a few years and have not yet announced matches or received/posted reviews, your overall score may be lower than others who have completed these steps. It’s easy (and automatic) to earn Trust Points when you do these things.

A higher Trust Score enhances a member’s visibility and credibility on the platform, potentially garnering you more inquiries and matches for your listing(s).

Anyone who searches on SabbaticalHomes may see your Trust Score which is listed on your public profile and listings (with your alias, not your full name). This provides a level of credibility while protecting your identity.

Every member has a Trust Score dashboard where you can see how many Trust Points you have earned by category. You will also be able to see ways you can earn more.

Your Trust Points will not expire as long as you maintain your SabbaticalHomes.com account. Trust Points are not transferable to other accounts.

Yes, you will receive Trust Points based on your past years of membership and actions.

Our pricing structure has two components:

• Annual Listing Fees: Home Listing Fees start at USD $60 & Tenant Listing Fees start at USD $20
• Made-a-Match Fees: USD $50 is due from both members for each match found on the website

There are no additional fees, commissions or hidden service charges. Members who are verified academics are eligible for a lower pricing tier for listing fees.

For more information, please refer to our pricing and payment details.

You can make payments for Listing Fees and Made-a-Match Fees securely on our site via credit card or you can log into PayPal. When you are making the payment on our site, you can select your preferred Currency (USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, AUD or NZD).

We also accept checks for listing and renewal fees (please note that listings will not be active until your check is received and the funds have cleared). Checks can be mailed to:

SabbaticalHomes.com
P.O. Box 2016
Manhattan Beach, CA 90267

*Please make the check out to SabbaticalHomes and reference your Listing Number

A unique feature of SabbaticalHomes is that members handle rental payments outside of the site, after checking references and creating a contract between both parties. Many members enjoy the control this gives them over arrangements and pricing as well as the personal relationships they develop with other members.

We also provide guidelines on how to search safely on SabbaticalHomes; we welcome members contacting us if anyone feels there is an issue with a listing or another member. SabbaticalHomes does not intervene in negotiations and is not responsible for issues connected to payments between members.

Yes, you can see listing prices in several different currencies after you have searched listings. When your search results first display, they will display in the currency the member selected when creating the listing.

To see listings in your search results in your preferred currency, click on the blue "Filters" button and select your preferred Currency (USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, AUD or NZD) and your preferred Term (Weekly, Monthly). This will give you an approximate amount just for comparison purposes, it may not be the exact final amount in your currency.

Our community is based on like-minded individuals finding housing solutions, but we are open to property managers creating listings as long as it is clearly marked and managers meet the same expectations as all other members. Different listing rates apply. If you are an agent or broker, please click here for pricing information and contact us prior to posting a listing.

We expect members to provide polite and open lines of communications. Please take the time to ask meaningful questions and expect clear answers.

Our members value quality of inquiries over quantity. Please be sure to read the specifics about each listing prior to contacting that member so you send inquiries to those that are the best potential match. Some of our most successful members send around 5 well-selected inquiries, wait for responses – and only if necessary, need to do another search to reach out to another 5 or 6 members.

Be sure to do a chemistry check call after communicating on the site, and always check each other's references before agreeing to any arrangements.

Developing a relationship is the first step to finding the perfect match and checking references is key to a successful stay.

One must be a registered member in order to be able to contact or send a message to another user.

If you are interested in a listing and would like to get in touch (as a registered member), click the Contact button located to the right of each listing. This will allow you to send a direct message to the lister. Allow some time for listers to get back to you before sending additional queries.

In your communications, be sure to include information about you, your background, and why you are interested in their listing. Keep in mind, the other party is not obligated to reply if they feel a query isn't formulated with enough background information. If you haven't already done so, complete your profile so that fellow members can learn more about you directly on the site. All messages sent and received can be seen in the Messages dashboard area of your account.

You are encouraged to keep your communications on the website in your Messages dashboard until you check references and have a "chemistry check" conversation or video call. You are then welcome to move your communication off of our platform. For guidance, refer to our blogs:

Questions to ask potential tenants

Questions to ask Prospective Landlords

Checking References

As a courtesy to fellow members, be sure to respond to messages within two business days. Responding to inquiries promptly and politely promotes open lines of communication. Take time to ask meaningful questions and expect clear answers. If the replies are not clear, be suspicious. You are not obliged to respond to an unsatisfactory query, and if you feel that it is dubious or inappropriate please contact us.

You are encouraged to keep your communications on the website in your Messages dashboard until you check references and have a "chemistry check" conversation or video call. You are then welcome to move your communication off of our platform.

SabbaticalHomes cannot guarantee the integrity of every person using the site. Checking references is key to a successful stay.

Once you have found a match, please update your listing by changing the dates or hiding your listing from the public view in your My Listings Dashboard.

Hosting/Rentals:

If guests will soon be on their way, be sure it's a comfortable place for them to stay. Cleaning your home before they arrive is an essential ingredient in the recipe for a successful stay. To help you prepare your home, we've compiled a helpful cleaning checklist. The SabbaticalHomes.com scholarly community standard of clean earns an A+.

One way to make your tenant, house sitter or fellow exchanger feel at home is to have a notebook waiting for them detailing the ins and outs of your home.

Tenant:

Include information about yourself and what you're looking for in your Tenant Listing so that potential hosts can build a relationship and feel comfortable letting their home to you for an extended period of time.

While staying in their home, be respectful of their belongings and neighborhood - treat the home as if it were your own. Be sure to promptly communicate any issues/questions with them.

Be sure to communicate clearly with your potential matches and prepare a contract ahead of time. Be sure to communicate any changes or specific requirements directly with the tenant. We also highly recommend a virtual conversation to get to know each other better. It's important to check references for potential tenants/sitters. Remember, you both are able to leave feedback about your experience.

To file a complaint or report a scam please contact us.

Search Safe online--learn more.

Be sure to communicate clearly with your potential matches and prepare a contract ahead of time. We highly recommend a virtual conversation to get to know each other better. It's also important to check references of your potential hosts.

If the property is not as described or you need to cancel your trip, communicate promptly and directly with the homeowner. Remember, you both are able to leave feedback about your experience. To file a complaint or report a scam please contact us.

Search Safe online--learn more.

Whether you are searching for a home or a tenant, we want you to feel secure. Taking some basic precautions, as you would with any important transaction, can help you search safely. Listen to your intuition, review profiles prudently, communicate, check references, and report fraud.

Search Safe online--learn more.

Our site allows members to make arrangements outside of our platform, therefore we generally do not get involved in regards to contract disputes. However, SabbaticalHomes reserves the right to take down any listing (home or tenant) for any reason, particularly if we receive multiple complaints about a particular member. This includes but is not limited to:

- Abusive language

- Breaking a contract

- Not acting in accordance with our website's terms of use

It's best to include some information that lets other members get a feel for you, while still maintaining the level of privacy you feel comfortable with. We recommend:

• Using an alias that is not your full name
• Not including your email or phone number on your public profile description (or in any listing descriptions you may create)

When you log in and go to your My Profile dashboard, the small green illustration of a globe indicates that these items will be visible on your Public Profile (only visible to people who are registered on SabbaticalHomes and logged in with their account).

We suggest members add a profile photo to make it easier to recognize you when exchanging messages, announcing matches and writing reviews. If you don't wish to include a picture of yourself, consider adding an image of your favorite place or flower or a pet. You can also include a brief description about yourself and your spoken languages.

Lastly, you have an opportunity to link your profile to other websites. These could be a faculty profile from your university, articles you've written, LinkedIn profiles, etc. Please be mindful of which link(s) you choose to add to your profile as they may contain information you want to keep private (your full name or email).

People searching listings on SabbaticalHomes can see a high-level summary of a Member Profile (profile picture, alias, years of membership, academic status, Trust Score and if the member has earned any of these icons: Matched Member, Connected Member or Inner Circle). Learn more about Member Icons.

Only SabbaticalHomes members who are logged into their own accounts can click through to see your full Public Profile, which includes the information above plus the member's submitted description, location, languages, website link(s), listings, references and reviews. We are careful not to display any of your personal information like your full name, exact address or email address.

If you do not need your SabbaticalHomes account any longer, please contact us and select "Request to close my account" from the dropdown. Keep in mind that your account is free of charge if you do not have any active listings, so you can keep your account open in case you decide to use it again in the future.

• Click on Post Home Listing and fill out the requested information.
• You may choose to list your home for rent or to exchange (or both!).
• You can add house sitting options as well. A catchy title, detailed description, accurate availability dates, and great photos go a long way.
• Upon payment, your listing will be posted.

Photo Tips:

• You can include up to 10 photos, so have them handy when you begin the process.
• A horizontal layout with a 16:9 ratio will look the best.
• Go to our Technical Issues FAQ section to get more information if you are having problems with your photos

Your listing is renewable every 12 months. While your listing is active, you may change the visibility of your listing as often as you'd like by making it Visible, Private (can only be seen by sending a link) or Hidden.

If you would like to post more than one listing, each property will have its own listing number and information. Listing and renewal fees apply to each property.

If you are an agent or broker or have a property with multiple units, please contact us for permission prior to posting. Higher rates apply to commercial listings.

• Click on Post Tenant Listing to list yourself as a potential tenant.
• Include important information: A detailed description about yourself, where you'd like to go, your travel dates, any house sitting you are willing to do, and your budget.
• Upon payment, your listing will be posted.

Your listing is renewable every 12 months. While your listing is active you may update it as often as you'd like.

While your listing is active, you may change the visibility of your listing as often as you'd like by making it Visible, Private (can only be seen by sending a link) or Hidden.

If you would like to post multiple Tenant Listings for different locations, each will have its own listing number and information. Respective fees apply to each listing.

You can edit your listing at any time. In fact, we encourage you to update your listing every couple of months. It is important to keep your availability dates current. You can also upload new pictures or modify your description at any time.

To edit your listing, login to your SabbaticalHomes.com account, click on My Listings and choose the "Edit Listing" button. Be sure to click the "Save" button at the bottom of any sections you have changed to ensure your information is updated.

You can renew your listing by logging in and going to My Listings:

• If your listing is still active, but within 1 month of expiring, click on the top button that says “Renew by…”
• If your listing has expired, click on the top button “Renew & Activate”
• Both of these buttons will take you to a page called “Payments and Status” (this is the last section you see when creating or editing a listing)
  • Click on “Renew Now” to make your payment
  • Complete your payment using our secure system

You will receive automated reminder messages that your listing is due for renewal and another automated message if your listing has expired.

If you don't need your listing at this time, it will remain in your account until you are ready to renew it again. At that time, your Renewal Fee will be due in order to activate your listing.

In the spirit of showing only current information about listings, it is important to manage your listing's visibility status. It also helps you to receive messages from other members only when your listing is available.

• Changing from Visible to Hidden: as soon as your listing shouldn't be in the search results (because you don't have any availability dates to offer), it is time to set your visibility to "Hidden." Typically, after a match, if your listing is no longer available in the foreseeable future, you should update your listing status to "Hidden" (this does not happen automatically when you announce a match).
• Changing from Visible to Private: when you don't want your listing to appear in search results for everyone to find but still want to be able to show your listing, set your visibility to "Private." With this status, people who have your listing's link will be able to see it. This is a perfect solution if you decide to offer your home to a select few tenant listings. Likewise, you may have created a tenant listing which you only want to show specific landlords.
• Changing from Hidden to Visible or Private: when you want your listing to appear in search results because your listing has open availability dates and you would like to be contacted by anyone who would be interested (or to be able to share the private link with specific people).

You can edit your listing visibility in your My Listings Dashboard by clicking the "Change Visibility" button:

• Visible: anyone who visits SabbaticalHomes.com can see your listing (ideal if you are just getting started and want the most eyes on your listing)
• Private: only those that you share your unique listing link with can see your listing (perfect for situations where you may only need to share your listing with a few contacts)
• Hidden: only you can see your listing (ideal if you have made a match and your listing is not currently available)

Changing your listing visibility can be done anytime during the 12-month cycle that your Listing Fee covers (and as many times as you like during that year).

If you have a listing that you do not want on your account any longer, please contact us and select the subject line "Request to remove my listing" from the dropdown. Please provide details such as your listing number and title and your reason for the request.

Keep in mind that you can change the visibility of your listing to "Hidden" at any time during the 12 months of your annual listing fee if it is no longer current.

Yes, you can select the primary currency on your listing when first posting it.

When viewing search results, members in other countries can see the approximate equivalent amount in several currencies (USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, AUD, NZD). They will always see your chosen currency when viewing your listing details.

• Enter your desired location in the search bar on the home page
• Quick Tip: You can enter the city, university, or address in the search bar
• Select Home Rental or Home Exchange
• Click Search
• Use our powerful filters to narrow down search results based on criteria that's important to you (including dates, rate, and more).
• Click on “Save this Search” and then name your search. You can find and view your saved searches in My Favorites in your account and it will update with new listings that fit your criteria.
• You can also click on the heart symbol to highlight a particular listing as a favorite

• Enter the location of your home into the search bar on home page of our site
• Select Tenant
• Click Search
• Use our powerful filters to narrow down search results based on criteria that's important to you
• Click on “Save this Search” and then name your search. You can find and view your saved searches in My Favorites in your account and it will update with new tenant listings that fit your criteria.
• You can also click on the heart symbol to highlight a particular tenant listing as a favorite

• Click on “Save this Search” and then name your search. You can find and view your saved searches in My Favorites in your account and it will update with new listings that fit your criteria.
• You can also click on the heart symbol to highlight a particular listing as a favorite

When a member finds a home or tenant using our site, checks references, and moves forward with a lease or contract terms, that is a match on SabbaticalHomes. Finding a listing that looks good or having a conversation with another member is not considered a match.

A Made-a-Match Fee of USD $50 (or the equivalent) is due from both members when a match is arranged on SabbaticalHomes.

Learn more about matches here.

A Made-a-Match Fee of USD $50 (or the equivalent) is due from each member for every match arranged and finalized on SabbaticalHomes.

You can announce a match once you have had a conversation with another member, checked references and finalized housing arrangements. We recommend taking care of it before the start of the stay. If you prefer to wait until the stay begins or you forgot to do it, you can always announce or confirm the match during or after the stay.

Either member can announce a match and then the other party will confirm it.

For every match arranged on SabbaticalHomes, a USD $50 Made-a-Match Fee or the equivalent is due from both members (homeowners and tenants).

Both members will earn Trust Points for the match.

Paying a Made-a-Match Fee of USD $50 (or the equivalent) will announce or confirm your match. For every match found on SabbaticalHomes, a Made-a-Match fee is due from both members.

To announce a match, go to your Messages dashboard and select the conversation associated with the member you matched with. Click on the “Announce a Match” button and follow the prompts.

To confirm a match, go to your Messages dashboard and select the conversation associated with the member you matched with. If the other member has announced a match, there will be a blue button (“Confirm”) within the conversation. Click on “Confirm” and follow the prompts.

You can see your match history in your Matches dashboard.

Yes, announcing that you made a match will increase your Trust Score and your score will increase again when the other member confirms the match.

Our business has grown since 2000 due to strong word of mouth. When you register, please let us know if you heard about us from a friend or colleague, an institution, social media or other website.

We like to thank those who recommend us and members who refer other members earn Trust Points. If you have been referred or when you refer other members, you will also receive our Connected Member badge on your public profile. Learn more about all of our member icons.

You can add a referral when you register or at any time in the My Profile section of your account.

Yes, you can request a reference from your referral during registration. If you do not do it during registration, you can request a reference in your Reference Dashboard.

Members earn Trust Points for both referrals and references.

If you know a colleague or friend who would be a good fit for our community, send them an invitation to join SabbaticalHomes from your References Dashboard. They might ask you to be a personal reference!

We appreciate members who send people they know our way so you will earn Trust Points by inviting trustworthy individuals to our community. You will also earn the Connected Member Icon when you invite others – or when you join using the link in an email invitation from a SabbaticalHomes.com member.

Yes, if you believe the person would be a good fit (is diligent and responsible and trustworthy), we would love to have them as part of the SabbaticalHomes community.

We appreciate members writing personal references. Your reference will help others find the right housing fit within our like-minded community. Members who write and receive personal references about others in our community earn Trust Points as well as the Connected Member Icon on their public profile.

Any member can write a reference. If you request a reference from a non-member, they will be asked to register.

Go to your References dashboard, fill in the name and email of the person you are requesting a personal reference from. Click the button to send the reference request. They will receive an automated email giving them the link to log in and write the reference.

You will receive an email alert if someone asks you to write them a reference. The link in the email will take you to where you can post your reference.

No, only an alias will be shown. Please refrain from writing any specific names or identifying information in your reference.

Yes, the author of the reference can edit or remove the reference at any time. Recipients can hide any references from public view, although this is rare.

References will be displayed in the recipient’s public profile. Only registered members of SabbaticalHomes may see your public profile.

Yes, each reference you receive will increase your Trust Score and you can receive up to 5 references. You will also gain Trust Points every time you write a reference (no limit).

We appreciate members who take the time to write reviews of listings and other members. The more constructive information our members share with each other, the easier it is for people to find the right fit for housing arrangements.

Most members post reviews after the stay is completed.

Reviews appear in several places on SabbaticalHomes.com such as the reviewee’s and your public profile. Members earn Trust Points for writing reviews. Members with positive reviews also receive Trust Points.

• Login your account and go to your Messages dashboard
• Select the conversation associated with the member you matched with
• Click the “Post a Review” button
• Rate your experience and fill out the form carefully, leaving fair and useful information
• Your review will immediately be posted on the other party's listing and/or profile as well as your profile

This is a rare situation, but members are able to do this if there is something worth sharing with the community.

Examples of this could be if there was a last-minute cancellation and the other person was very understanding and flexible. Another example could be if negotiations had derailed due to a lack of clear communication. As with all reviews, please post fact-based information in a respectful tone. We always reserve the right to remove reviews that are not constructive or respectful.

Any review you leave or receive is stored in your account for future reference. You have the ability to delete or edit a review or response that you have written once it is posted.

Please keep in mind that SabbaticalHomes.com also reserves the right to edit or remove any reviews. This is generally not a problem within our community, only used in the rare instance where content is deemed inappropriate.

You will receive an email notification any time you or your listing receives a review. You can respond to the review at any time by logging into your account and going to your Reviews Dashboard. Your response will be viewable to the public.

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Be sure to check with your tax professional as to any applicable tax laws in your area and how it may affect your particular situation.

In terms of regulations, it is important to know what laws may affect you when listing a home for temporary stays (length of time varies depending on locations). Some things to research in your area:

Current and Proposed Zoning

Before you begin renting, check with your local authorities about the zoning requirements for short-term rental properties. You should check not only on the current zoning status of the area where your home is, but also any proposed changes that may affect your home. To investigate the status of short-term rentals in your area, consider contacting other owners who are currently renting in your immediate area.

Homeowners' Association Rules

Your homeowners' association may also have rules regarding rentals within your complex or subdivision. Typically, these rules are found in your Covenants, Conditions and restrictions (CC&R's).

Business Licenses and Permits

Many areas require "vacation" rental owners to apply for a business license or permit to rent homes on a short-term basis (typically, those less than 30 days).

Safety Requirements

In some markets, vacation rental homes have to follow the same basic safety requirements as long-term rentals (sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, deadbolt locks, etc.) and may also be required to complete safety inspections.

Local Health Code Regulations

Some areas also have specific rules and regulations around health codes. The most common areas of regulation involve well water testing, and pool and spa maintenance.

By doing a bit of homework, you can comply with local rules and regulations affecting short-term rentals and continue to have successful bookings with your home.

"What if I am unable to upload pictures?"

• Format: make sure that all images are JPG/JPEG, GIF or PNG format
• File size: each file needs to be smaller than 10 MB
• File name: each photo should have its own unique file name and make sure to avoid apostrophes, spaces, symbols, and characters like "#" in the image file names
• Trouble shooting: If you are having problems uploading photos, try renaming them (photo1.jpg, photo2.jpg...) or try uploading one picture at a time to determine if only one of the images is problematic
• If your problem persists, please contact us.

"What if my pictures are small or fuzzy?"

• The optimal aspect ratio is 16:9 (horizontal or landscape works best, although you will be able to crop the images when you upload them, if you want)
• Please double check that the images you upload are not tiny thumbnails or very low resolution files. Re-uploading larger images to the website and the problem should be resolved

"Why do my photos have a SabbaticalHomes.com logo on them?"

• As an added level of security, we add a small SabbaticalHomes.com logo and listing number on your images after you upload them. This helps prevent scammers from re-purposing your images on other websites.

Please be sure to add our customer service email address to your safe-sender contact list in your email account, using the @ sign as with a normal email address: customerservice at sabbaticalhomes.com. Some service providers block email addresses until you add them as contacts in your account. It's also a good idea to check your spam folder.

If you've already registered and paid and are still encountering this problem, it might be a simple error. Be sure you are using the same email address you registered with. If you have more than one, try other email addresses you might have used.

If you've forgotten your password, you can request to reset it here and follow the prompts in the email you will receive.

If none of these solutions resolve your issue, please contact us for help.

We look forward to helping our members make the most of SabbaticalHomes. Many questions can be answered from our Frequently Asked Questions, if you don’t see the answer to your question, please click here to Contact Us for support. We generally respond within 24 hours during normal weekday business hours.