How it works
One protected flow, from abroad to move-in
SemesterStay sits between students and hosts so nobody has to trust a stranger with a semester of rent. Here is the whole flow, both sides.
For students
Book a room you've never seen — safely
- 1
Search by semester
Pick your semester and university. Every listing shows the transit time to your campus and a curated guide to its neighborhood, so you know what you're booking sight-unseen.
- 2
Send a request
Message a verified host through the platform. Hosts respond within 72h or the request expires — and contact details stay masked until a booking is paid.
- 3
Pay through the platform
Once approved, pay the first month through SemesterStay — no added fees for students. We hold it; the host receives nothing yet. The deposit goes straight to the host's bank account, and both of you confirm it on the booking page.
- 4
Move in protected
The host is only paid 48h after check-in. If the room doesn't match the listing, report it inside that window and your money comes back.
- 5
Rent on autopay
The remaining months are charged automatically, month by month. No envelopes of cash, no chasing — and at move-out the host's last payout stays held until your deposit is settled.
For hosts
Fill the semester, keep the summer
- 1
Verify once
Upload your ID and proof of ownership — or a lease with the right to sublet. One review by our team and you're cleared to list.
- 2
List your units
Set semester-aligned availability, rent and deposit. Order a physical inspection if you want the Verified by SemesterStay badge on your listing.
- 3
Approve a student
Requests arrive with a verified student profile and the exact months. Approve the one that fits — the student then pays upfront through the platform.
- 4
Get paid after the protection window
The first payout — first rent minus the 5% commission — is released 48h after the student checks in.
- 5
Monthly payouts
Each following month's rent is collected from the student and paid out to you, minus the 5% commission. The deposit is yours to hold for the stay; your last payout is released once it is settled at check-out.
Fees
What it costs
No listing fees, no subscriptions — SemesterStay earns only when a booking happens.
Students pay
€0
No service fees, no booking fees. You pay exactly the rent and deposit the host lists — nothing on top.
Hosts pay
5%
Commission on each rent payment, deducted before the payout reaches your account.
Semester calendar
The months we book around
Listings are offered per semester; hosts usually keep July and August for themselves. Pick a semester when you search, or a custom month range.
- Winter 2026/27Sep 2026 – Jan 2027
- Summer 2027Feb 2027 – Jun 2027
- Winter 2027/28Sep 2027 – Jan 2028
- Summer 2028Feb 2028 – Jun 2028
Questions
Good to know
Why are some listings marked "EU only"?
Czech hosts have administrative reporting duties when they accommodate non-EU nationals — every non-EU tenant has to be registered with the foreign police. Some hosts prefer to avoid that paperwork, so they switch their listing to EU only. Non-EU students still see these listings in search, but can't send a request for them.
How is the deposit handled?
The deposit goes straight from the student to the host by bank transfer — SemesterStay never holds it. Both sides confirm it on the booking page. After move-out the host returns it in full, unless they file a deduction with evidence; deductions are reviewed by our team, and either side can dispute the outcome. Until the deposit is settled, the host's last payout of the stay stays held — that is the student's guarantee.
What does "Verified by SemesterStay" mean?
Every host passes document checks — ID plus proof of ownership. The inspection badge goes further: our local team physically visited the property and confirmed that the photos, size and amenities match the listing against a standard checklist.
What if something is wrong at check-in?
Your payment is held until 48h after check-in. Report a problem inside that window and the payout is paused — if the room genuinely doesn't match the listing, you get a refund and help finding another place.