Tiny Living Apartments

Security · Mutual Respect · Affordable Stays

Security Deposit

How the deposit works, why we ask for it, and what changes between a card hold and a Nepali bank-transfer refund. Designed to keep nightly rates low for the honest guests who make up the majority of our community.

Our Shared Commitment

Tiny Living Apartments is not a corporate hotel — it's a small collection of privately owned homes curated with care. We've put thoughtful amenities into every apartment so you have everything you need for a premium stay.

We believe everyone deserves a high-quality, high-tech space, which is why we offer exceptionally low nightly rates and a $0 cleaning fee with the self-cleaning option. Most rentals charge a large cleaning fee or build it into the nightly rate regardless of how tidy you are — we choose to reward guests who leave the place as they found it.

To maintain these savings, we rely on a partnership of mutual respect. In the past we've seen property damage and household items go missing after stays. Without accountability, those costs would force prices up for everyone. The deposit and ID check protect the honest, respectful guests who make up the majority of our community — the hold is released in full when the home is left in good condition with no damaged or missing items.

How It Works

How the Deposit Works

Two payment paths, same 8:00 PM check-out release.

Card Payment (Stripe)

  • The deposit is a temporary authorisation hold on your card — not a charge. The funds never leave your account; they are simply "reserved" by your bank.
  • If the home is left in good condition with no damaged or missing items, the hold is automatically released at 8:00 PM on check-out day. Your "pending" line disappears and the funds are accessible again within 3 to 5 business days.

Nepali Bank Transfer

  • The deposit is collected at the time of booking along with the stay total — paid via a direct transfer to our Nepali bank account.
  • We refund the deposit by 8:00 PM on check-out day to the bank account you nominated inside the online booking form, provided there are no incidental charges.
  • We never ask for refund-account details over WhatsApp or email — only inside the booking flow.

Verification Flow

The 3-Step Access Process

All three steps happen inside one secure link — sent the day before for advance bookings, or immediately for same-day bookings.

  1. 1

    Verify ID

    Upload a photo of your government-issued ID (passport, national ID or driver's licence) when you open the secure door-code link. See our ID Verification page for what we accept and how we destroy it 24 hours after check-out.

  2. 2

    Deposit Hold

    A temporary authorisation hold is placed on your card (not a charge), or — for Nepali bank-transfer bookings — the deposit is paid as part of the booking and refunded after check-out. Details under "How the Deposit Works" below.

  3. 3

    Get Your Door Code

    Once our team reviews your ID and the deposit step is complete, your unique smart-lock code is activated for the duration of your stay.

Why We Offer a $0 Cleaning Fee

Where others charge you for cleaning before you even arrive, the self-cleaning option lets you keep that cost at zero. By handling these basic tasks at check-out you keep your cleaning fee at $0:

Prefer to skip the chores? Choose the paid cleaning option at checkout and our team handles the full turnover for you.

Essential House Rules

Full guest code of conduct on the House Rules page.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you waive the security deposit?▾

No. The deposit protects the home and allows us to keep nightly rates low for everyone. Waiving it would defeat the purpose.

Can you release the deposit earlier than 8:00 PM?▾

No. The system is set to release authorisation holds and process refunds automatically at 8:00 PM on your check-out day.

Can I give the deposit in cash or in person?▾

No. Our apartments are unmanned and digitally operated — there is no reception desk. All deposits are handled through the secure digital flow.

How much is the deposit?▾

The exact amount is shown clearly at checkout when you book directly on this site, before you confirm payment.

Why is ID required?▾

It's a standard security measure to ensure the safety of the home and to comply with Nepali hospitality regulations. Your ID is encrypted, host-only, and destroyed 24 hours after check-out.

When will I see the money back in my account?▾

We release the hold (cards) or process the refund (bank transfer) at 8:00 PM on your departure date. Depending on your bank's processing time, it usually reflects in your available balance within 3 to 5 business days.

Where will you refund my card deposit?▾

For Stripe card payments, the deposit is only an authorisation hold — the funds never leave your account, so there is no refund to process. Once released at 8:00 PM on your check-out day, the "pending" line on your statement disappears and the funds become accessible again.

Where will you refund my Nepali bank-transfer deposit?▾

To the bank account you nominated during the online booking flow. We do not ask for those details over WhatsApp or email — only inside the booking form. Refund settles by 8:00 PM on check-out day; for Nepali banks this is usually in real time.

What if I accidentally break something?▾

Accidents happen. Please be honest and message us as soon as possible — guests who take accountability help us resolve issues quickly and keep rates low for everyone.

Is my card safe?▾

Yes. We do not see or store your card details. All card payments are handled by Stripe — a certified PCI DSS Level 1 service provider — the same payments infrastructure used by Amazon, Google and Airbnb. Card data is encrypted and sent directly to Stripe's servers; it never touches our system.

What card types can I use?▾

Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover, plus Apple Pay, Google Pay and Link where supported by your region.

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