Safety tips

We check every listing before it goes live, but we can't verify the people behind them. These habits keep you safe.

If you're looking for a room

• See the room in person and meet the people you'd live with before paying anything. Our moving-in checklist has the questions to ask.
• Never pay a bond, rent or holding deposit to someone you haven't met, and never by gift card or crypto.
• Bonds should be lodged with your state's bond authority, and you should get a receipt from them. (In the Northern Territory, the landlord holds it in trust.) Which authority?
• If the host rents the house, ask how the room is offered: joining the lease, replacing someone on it, or a sublet. Each of these usually needs the landlord's written consent. What each one means.
• Bring a friend to the inspection, or tell someone where you're going.

If you're offering a room

• Meet people somewhere public first if you'd like, or have a housemate home for the inspection.
• You don't have to share your phone number until you're ready. Replies by email are enough to arrange a time.
• Use your private link to pause the listing if you're getting too many messages. Lost it?
• Before money changes hands, sort out the landlord's consent and the bond. Taking over a place on a lease covers each state.

More for hosts: tips for listing a room that fills.

Report a problem

Every listing has a "Report this listing" link, and every message a host receives has a link to report it. We block people who send abusive messages, scams or offers to sell drugs. You can also email hello@smokoshare.au. We read every report.

If you're in danger, call 000.