Our aim is for Guests and Hosts on Ministays to be able to trust each other.
Although no identification process is foolproof and we cannot guarantee someone’s identity, we take steps to help everyone to feel confident that guests and Hosts on Ministays are genuine. This is why we have procedures in place to attempt to verify the identity of our users.
We require listing Hosts, new co-Hosts and booking guests to be verified via Veriff. When you book a stay or when you become a Host, we may need to verify your personal information. This includes your legal name, address, phone number, and other contact details.
We may ask for a photo of your government ID and a selfie where we are not able to confirm your identity using the personal information you have provided. In certain countries, verification methods using the personal information you have provided may not be available and/or effective. Occasionally, we may detect anomalies on the platform. In these instances, we will also ask for a photo of your government ID and/or selfie. Additionally, certain Experiences may require you to verify your identity.
Check out our Privacy Policy to learn more.
Why we verify identity
Verifying the identity of guests and Hosts helps us to:
- Minimize fraudulent behavior
- Do background checks where permitted under applicable laws
- Comply with applicable laws, which include payments and tax laws
- Respond to and investigate safety and security issues such as assault or robbery
How the process works
As part of the identity verification process, we may ask you to provide us with:
- Legal name, address and/or other personal information: In some cases, these are sufficient for us to verify your identity. Please note that in certain countries, verification methods using the personal information you have provided us may not be available and/or effective therefore in these instances. In this case, we will ask for a photo of your government ID and/or selfie.
- Photo of your government ID: This could be a driving license, passport, or identity card.
- Selfie: We may need to ask you for a photograph along with your government ID. If you can’t provide a selfie that matches your government ID, you can contact us for an alternative verification method.
Note: If you’re hosting as a business, you may be asked to verify additional information for your account and any associated accounts with your business.
How long does it take to verify your identity
Once you’ve submitted your information, you’re identity is verified or denied within seconds. We partner with Veriff to perform the identity checks and make sure that the person you’re communicating with is actually who they say they are. It’s important to ensure that the information you provide is valid, accurate, and up to date. Otherwise, it may take longer to process or be denied.
Verifying your identity in your account settings
You can verify your identity in your account settings by clicking Get Verified.. You can do this when setting up an account—or when updating your account details.
Having trouble?
- Check your messages: You may have been sent additional information via text, email, or phone. Do you think you may have missed an email?
- Grant camera permission: The MiniStays app or your browser may need permission to access your camera. Still not working? Try refreshing the app or page.
- Use high-quality photos: Take photos in a well-lit room, checking that your face is clear and not obscured, and fit information within the provided white lines. Using “auto” mode will allow the app to automatically take high-quality photos. You can always switch back to take photos manually. Religious head coverings are welcome, but please make sure that we can see your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Submit photos of an original (not photocopied) undamaged and current ID: We can’t accept a photocopy, PDF, or other digital copy of the government ID. Please make sure that the profile picture is clear, and is not smudged. If the ID has 2 sides, such as a driving license or national ID card, you’ll need to submit photos of the front and back.
- Take a direct picture of the government ID: A photo of the government ID displayed on another mobile phone or computer is not acceptable.
When we verify your identity
You only need to verify your identity as a guest before you book your first listing for a stay.
As a Host, you’ll need to verify your identity when creating a listing for the first time.
Hosts might be asked to go through identity verification periodically for legal compliance reasons. Hosts who don’t complete ID verification will not be able to receive new bookings until they have done so.
Bookings
If you’re a guest booking a place to stay, you’ll need to complete identity verification.
If we’re unable to verify your identity using the details you provide when making the booking, we’ll ask you to verify your identity in another way. Such as providing your legal name, address or other contact details. We may also ask for a photo of your government ID and a selfie where we are not able to successfully confirm your identity using these details.
It’s important to ensure that the information you provide is valid, accurate, and up to date. Otherwise it may take longer to process. The faster you can provide this information, the faster we can confirm your booking and help get you on your way.
NOTE
If you’re trying to make a booking, it’s very important that you provide us with the necessary information no later than the deadline we specify to you.
If we’re unable to verify your identity before the specified deadline, your reservation can’t be confirmed.
Listings
If you’re a new Host creating a listing for the first time, you’ll need to complete identity verification using information you provide during account setup.
If verification methods using the personal information you have provided are not available and/or effective in your country of residence or we cannot successfully confirm your identity using this method, we will ask for a photo of your government ID. Your listing won’t be published until this step is completed.
When your calendar is blocked because you haven’t completed identity verification, you won’t be able to receive new reservations until you take this step.
To verify your identity as a Host, go to your Host Dashboard, click Account, click Get Verified, and follow the steps.
Verified Check Mark
Accounts that have completed the ID verification process can be identified by the “ID verified” Green Check Mark. Once you’ve got the identity verified check, it applies as a guest and as a Host.
After you’ve been identity verified, if you change your personal information, like your name, or if you remove your government ID from your profile, you may lose your “identity verified” badge and you may need to verify again in order to book or to accept listings.
Where we display your identity verification status
Your identity verification status may be indicated on your listing with the label “identity verified” or across MiniStays as a green checkmark next to your profile photo. Your identity verification status is also shown in your MiniStays Profile.
What we share
Your identification information is handled according to our Privacy Policy and isn’t shared with your Host or Guests.
We may share your identification information with authorized third-party service providers to help support the identity verification process—including such things as verifying your identity, authenticating your identification documents, and performing background checks (where permitted under applicable law).
How we manage your data
Only authorized MiniStays personnel and authorized third-party service providers may access the information you submit. All information is stored and transmitted in a secure manner including by using secure encryption.
We process information for the purposes for which it was collected as set out in our Privacy Policy, including as follows:
- Personal information you have provided us with, such as legal name, address and date of birth:
- Supporting our identity verification process as detailed above
- Responding to and investigating safety and security issues to protect our users on the MiniStays platform and the wider community
- Upholding MiniStays’s community guidelines
- Complying with applicable laws, which includes payments and tax laws
- Detecting fraudulent behavior
- Doing background checks where permitted under applicable laws
- Your government ID:
- Supporting our identity verification process as detailed above
- Responding to and investigating safety and security issues involving users of the platform and the wider community
- Responding to and assisting law enforcement investigations
- Complying with applicable laws, which includes payments and tax laws
We delete government IDs after a prescribed retention period correlating with the purposes above has elapsed, subject to any retention required for legal compliance purposes. After your ID has been deleted, we continue to retain information from your ID for the management of your account, legal compliance and general security purposes.
What a Host may ask you for
The Host may ask for ID after booking if the requirement is in the Host’s Listing at the time of booking, or where required to comply with applicable laws or contractual obligations applying to the Host. The host may also ask a Guest to complete a background check, provide proof of a work contract, and/or sign a lease agreement.
