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Key takeaways
- If you cancel, the security deposit is always returned in full.
- How much of the booking price you get back depends on the venue's policy (Flexible, Standard or Strict) and how early you cancel.
- Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above, or a Black Rainstorm Warning, from three hours before the start means a full refund or a move within 30 days.
- If the host cancels, you get a full refund.
- If a venue is seriously not as described, tell the platform within 24 hours of the start.
A security deposit is refundable and normally comes back about 48 hours after the booking ends; if you cancel, it is always returned in full. How much of the booking price you get back depends on whether the venue uses the Flexible, Standard or Strict policy and how early you cancel. A typhoon signal No. 8 or black rainstorm in the three hours before the start lets you cancel or move the booking for free.
- 48 hours
- after the booking, deposit normally returned
- 100%
- of the deposit returned if you cancel
- 3 hours
- before the start, severe-weather rule window opens
- 24 hours
- to report a venue not as described
What is a security deposit?
Some venues take a refundable security deposit. The amount is shown before you pay, and you pay it online with the booking.
When do I get it back?
- Normally about 48 hours after the booking ends.
- Unless the host reports, with evidence:
- damage
- overtime
- extra cleaning
- A host must report within 48 hours of the end, with photos.
- 1
When you pay
The deposit is paid online with the booking, and the amount is shown before payment.
- 2
The booking ends
The host has 48 hours to check the venue. To claim against the deposit, they must report within that window, with photos.
- 3
No report
The deposit comes back about 48 hours after the end.
- 4
A report is made
The platform looks at what both sides provide and decides. It may refund in part or in full.
How to protect yourself
How do the three cancellation policies compare?
Every venue uses one policy. You see it on the venue page and before you pay.
| Policy | Full refund | 50% refund | No refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible | 24 hours or more before the start | 6 to 24 hours before | under 6 hours |
| Standard | 48 hours or more before | 24 to 48 hours before | under 24 hours |
| Strict | 7 days or more before | 72 hours to 7 days before | under 72 hours |
These refunds apply to the booking price. The deposit is always returned in full on cancellation.
The chart puts the three side by side: for the same cancellation time, how much of the booking price each policy refunds.
Share of the booking price refunded, by when you cancel
View data table
| Flexible | Standard | Strict | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days or more | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 72 hours to 7 days | 100% | 100% | 50% |
| 48 to 72 hours | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| 24 to 48 hours | 100% | 50% | 0% |
| 6 to 24 hours | 50% | 0% | 0% |
| under 6 hours | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Source: Gatherland cancellation policy
The full terms are in the cancellation policy and refund policy.
Example: a booking starting Saturday at 7pm
| When you cancel | Flexible | Standard | Strict |
|---|---|---|---|
| By 7pm the Saturday before | Full refund | Full refund | Full refund |
| After 7pm the Saturday before, until 7pm Wednesday | Full refund | Full refund | 50% |
| After 7pm Wednesday, until 7pm Thursday | Full refund | Full refund | No refund |
| After 7pm Thursday, until 7pm Friday | Full refund | 50% | No refund |
| After 7pm Friday, until 1pm Saturday | 50% | No refund | No refund |
| After 1pm Saturday | No refund | No refund | No refund |
In every case the deposit is returned in full.
Choosing with the policy in mind
- If the date or headcount is still moving, a Flexible venue is safer.
- Strict suits events where the date is already fixed.
- Settle the date first with the date poll, then book.
What happens in a typhoon or black rainstorm?
If any of these is in force at any time from three hours before the start until the start:
- Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above
- Black Rainstorm Warning
you can choose to:
- cancel for a full refund, or
- move the booking to another free slot at the same venue within 30 days.
The host is not charged a cancellation fee in this case.
What if the host cancels?
You are refunded in full. The host is charged a cancellation fee.
How are disputes handled?
- Guests: if the venue is seriously not as described, tell the platform within 24 hours of the start.
- Hosts: to claim against a deposit, report within 48 hours of the end, with photos.
The platform decides based on what both sides provide, and may refund in part or in full. Because the payment is only released to the host 48 hours after the booking ends, there is time to sort problems out.
For the full booking flow, see how booking works.
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose my deposit if I cancel?
No. The security deposit is always returned in full on cancellation, whatever the policy. How much of the booking price you get back depends on the policy and how early you cancel.
Can I cancel for free if Typhoon Signal No. 8 is up?
Yes. If Signal No. 8 or above, or a Black Rainstorm Warning, is in force at any time from three hours before the start until the start, you can cancel for a full refund or move to another free slot at the same venue within 30 days.
What if the host cancels?
You get a full refund. The host is charged a cancellation fee.
When is my deposit returned?
About 48 hours after the booking ends, unless the host reports damage, overtime or extra cleaning with evidence. In that case the platform reviews the claim first.
What if the venue is not as described?
If it is seriously not as described, tell the platform within 24 hours of the start. The platform decides and may refund in part or in full.
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