How RentalHive Works

Find local gear

Browse listings from verified owners near you. Filter by category, location, or price to find exactly what you need.

Pick your dates and pay

The listing page shows exactly what you'll pay before you book: the rental price, a processing fee, and — where required — a refundable security deposit.

The deposit is a temporary hold on your card, not a charge. Your bank statement shows it as pending, never billed.

Get approved

The lister has 24 hours to confirm your booking. You're only charged the rental amount once they approve — if they decline or don't respond in time, your card is never charged and the hold is released automatically.

Pick up or get delivery

Coordinate directly with the lister through messages on the platform. Many listers offer delivery right to your door.

Return it and get your deposit back

Once the item is marked returned, your deposit hold is released within 5 business days — as long as no damage claim is filed within the 72-hour window.

Create your listing

Add photos, a description, your price, and availability. Takes about 5 minutes — free to list.

Get set up to receive payments

A quick one-time onboarding through Stripe (similar to Airbnb), so payments and payouts go directly to you securely.

Renter books and pays

We handle checkout, and a security deposit is pre-authorized (held, not charged) on their card at booking. You have 24 hours to confirm or decline — you're always in control.

Hand off the item

You coordinate pickup or drop-off directly with the renter through messages on the platform.

Get paid

Once the rental's underway, your payout is released to you through Stripe — straight to your Canadian bank, no invoicing, no chasing payment.

Deposit handled automatically

If the item comes back in good shape, the hold is simply released. If there's damage, you can file a claim against the deposit within 72 hours of marking it returned — no chasing the renter down.