Whether you’re a traveler booking a beach getaway or a host opening your property to guests, holiday rentals can be a rewarding experience—but only when trust is established. With the rise of platforms like Airbnb, Facebook Marketplace, and WhatsApp groups, more South Africans are finding or listing short-term stays online. Unfortunately, this surge in activity has also led to a rise in deposit scams, fake listings, and no-show guests.

This is where Paysho escrow steps in.

The Holiday Rental Problem
Let’s face it: when it comes to deposits, both hosts and guests take a risk.

Guests worry: What if I pay and there’s no house when I arrive?

Hosts worry: What if I block my calendar and the guest never shows up or cancels last-minute?

These fears are not unfounded. Every year, thousands of rands are lost in fraudulent holiday rental scams or misunderstandings around cancellations and refunds.

Escrow: A Safer Way to Handle Deposits
Paysho offers an escrow solution that protects both holidaymakers and hosts by acting as a secure middle ground.

How it Works:
The guest pays the deposit to Paysho.

Paysho holds the funds securely while both parties prepare for the stay.

Once the guest checks in and confirms everything is in order, Paysho releases the funds to the host.

No more sending EFTs to strangers. No more sleepless nights wondering if the booking is legit.

Real-Life Use Case:
Lebo, a guest from Johannesburg, booked a seaside cottage in Port Alfred for her family. She was hesitant to pay the R3,000 deposit to a host she found via Facebook. Using Paysho gave her confidence. Once she checked in and confirmed everything matched the photos, the funds were released.

Sizwe, a host in Durban, had previously been stood up by guests who never paid a cent. With Paysho, he now only blocks his calendar once the deposit is held in escrow—no more lost weekends.

Why Airbnb Hosts Love Paysho:
✅ No more chargebacks or fake proof of payment
✅ Easier to manage booking confirmations
✅ Builds trust with cautious guests
✅ Peace of mind for both parties

For Travelers: Don’t Be a Victim
If you’re booking a holiday rental online—especially via classifieds or Facebook groups—insist on Paysho. You don’t want to arrive at the coast and find out your “booking” was a scam.

For Hosts: Filter Out Time-Wasters
Using escrow filters out unserious inquiries. When guests know their deposit is safe (and not lost forever if something goes wrong), they’re more willing to book and pay early.

Final Word
Whether you’re the one handing over your keys or your hard-earned cash, you deserve a safe and secure transaction. Holiday rentals should be memorable for the right reasons—not because of scams or stress.

With Paysho, holiday deposits are safe, simple, and secure.

Try Paysho today.
Because trust shouldn’t be a gamble.