kommu is a community of real people sharing real homes. Not a rental marketplace. Not a hotel. A place where trust makes travel possible.
These are the standards we hold each other to — as guests, as hosts, and as people who want this thing to work.
kommu is built on real relationships. The people you stay with are part of your network — you might know them through a friend, a group, or a shared connection. This isn't anonymous.
Your reputation matters here. How you treat someone's home. How you respect their time. How you handle the whole trip, from the first message to the last morning.
When everyone holds up their end, everyone has a better experience. That's the whole idea. These standards exist to make sure that happens.
Every kommu stay follows three steps — whether you're paying to stay, swapping homes, or finding a house sitter.
Find a home you like and send a proposal. Pick your dates, choose your stay type, introduce yourself. The host gets notified and reviews your profile.
The host reviews your proposal and responds with their terms — confirmed dates, any cost-recovery amount (for paid stays), and house rules.
You review the offer and accept. Payment processes (for paid stays), both sides get confirmation, and you'll receive access details closer to check-in.
Hosts set a nightly rate that covers their actual housing costs — rent, mortgage, utilities. This isn't a rental. It's cost recovery. No one profits.
You stay at their place, they stay at yours. Dates don't have to overlap. No money changes hands (except a cleaning fee, if applicable).
You stay at someone's home while they're away — often to look after a pet or keep an eye on the place. Free stay in exchange for the responsibility.
You're staying in someone's real home. Their photos are on the walls. Their stuff is in the drawers. Here's what we expect.
1. Leave it better than you found it. Take out the trash. Run the dishwasher. Strip the beds if they ask. The bar isn't "leave it the same." It's "leave it better."
2. Read the house guide before you arrive. Every host writes one. It covers how the locks work, where the trash goes, what's off limits. Read it. Follow it.
3. Tell us if something breaks. Accidents happen. Hiding damage is a serious violation. If you spill wine on the rug or crack a glass, tell the host and contact kommu right away. We'll figure it out.
4. Respect check-in and check-out times. Show up when you said you would. Leave when you said you would. Need a change? Ask at least 48 hours ahead.
5. Stay out of private spaces. Closed drawers, locked rooms, personal items — off limits unless the host specifically says otherwise. Don't use someone else's personal hygiene products. Don't go through their things.
6. Be upfront about who's coming. Tell the host about everyone staying, including pets. Don't bring overnight guests or host a gathering without asking first.
7. Over-communicate. Running late? Say so. Have a question? Ask it. Something feel off? Flag it. Silence creates problems. Talking solves them.
You're trusting someone with your home. That's a big deal. Here's what kommu expects from you in return.
1. Show your home honestly. Photos, description, amenities — match what a guest actually walks into. If something changed (construction next door, broken AC), update the listing or tell the guest before they book.
2. Prepare your home before your guest arrives. Clean it. Stock the basics — toilet paper, soap, clean towels. Make sure everything works. This is your end of the deal. The cleaning fee covers the guest's checkout clean, but arriving to a clean, ready home is on you.
3. Send access info early. Address, parking, lockbox code, Wi-Fi password — send it all at least 24 hours before check-in.
4. Respond to messages. When a guest reaches out, respond within 24 hours. When you receive a Stay Proposal, respond within 48 hours.
5. Respect your guest's privacy. Disconnect indoor cameras during the stay. Don't show up unannounced. If you need to come by, give advance notice and get consent.
6. Secure firearms. All firearms must be unloaded and stored in a locked container. Ammunition stored separately. No exceptions.
7. Price honestly. kommu is for cost recovery, not profit. Your nightly rate should reflect your actual housing costs. If we ask for documentation, provide it.
Every kommu stay comes with up to $100,000 in damage protection. If something goes wrong — a broken window, a stained couch, a busted appliance — you're covered.
What's covered:
• Damage to your home or belongings caused by a guest during a stay • Up to $100,000 per stay
What's not covered:
• Normal wear and tear • Pre-existing damage • Items not documented before the stay • Damage from pets (service animals excepted)
How to file:
Report damage immediately. Document everything with photos. File your claim within 10 days of checkout. We respond within 3 business days.
Read the full damage protection details →Cancellations happen. Our policy protects both sides — the person whose plans fell through and the person who blocked off their calendar.
Paid stays
30+ days before check-in — 20% of total booking cost.
7–30 days before — 40%.
Less than 7 days — 100% (no refund).
Swaps and house sits use flat fees: $50 / $100 / $150 on the same schedule.
Changed your mind right after booking? Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund, as long as check-in is more than 7 days away.
Both sides agree to cancel? No fee. Neither account is flagged.
Read the full cancellation policy →Things don't always go as planned. Here's how we handle it — for both sides.
If a host doesn't hold up their end
You arrive and something isn't right — you can't access the home, it doesn't match the listing, or the host isn't responsive. Contact us immediately. We'll work to resolve it, and if we can't, we'll help cover alternative accommodations while we investigate.
If a guest causes a problem
We investigate every report. Both sides get heard. Here's how consequences work:
Minor issue (miscommunication, small inconvenience) — We help mediate between the host and guest.
First verified violation (missed check-out, unreported minor damage, unresponsive) — Formal warning. Account flagged. 7-day hold on new bookings.
Serious violation (property damage, discrimination, safety hazard, off-platform booking) — Account suspended pending investigation.
Major violation (fraud, harassment, illegal activity, endangering safety) — Immediate suspension. Possible permanent removal.
If it's a misunderstanding
Most issues are resolved between the host and guest with a conversation. We're here to help mediate when needed.
Repeated cancellations count too. Two within 12 months triggers a review. kommu reserves the right to remove any user who doesn't meet these standards. Our decision is final.
Every kommu home must have: • Working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms • At least one accessible fire extinguisher • Clear entry and exit paths • No exposed hazards, illicit substances, or biohazards
Hosts must carry active homeowners or renters insurance.
Pets require host permission. Disclose your pet before booking — breed, size, behavior. Wait for approval.
Service animals are always welcome. Hosts can't decline a booking because of a service animal. The animal must be housebroken and under control at all times.
Emotional support animals follow pet rules. ESAs aren't service animals under federal law. They need host approval like any other pet.
Pet damage is on the guest. Damage from any animal (service animals excepted) isn't covered by kommu's damage protection.
We built kommu because we believe the world works better when people trust each other enough to share their homes. Every person who follows these standards makes that possible. Every person who doesn't weakens it for everyone.
Be the kind of guest you'd want in your home. Be the kind of host you'd want to stay with.
Thanks for being here.
— Bo & Gus, kommu co-founders
support@gokommu.com