What is a Daylyf daycation?

A daycation is a daytime booking only — you use a UK space during fixed daytime hours and go home before bedtime. Daylyf is not for overnight hotel stays.

What is instant booking on Daylyf?

On instant-booking listings, guests pay straight away in the app. Once payment clears, the stay is confirmed and check-in details (instructions, house rules, and Wi-Fi) are sent automatically in Messages.

What happens when a host requires approval before payment?

The guest sends a request first. The host has 24 hours to approve or decline. If approved, the guest pays in the app. After payment, the stay is confirmed and check-in details are sent automatically in Messages. If the host does not respond in time, the request expires.

When do guests receive check-in details?

After payment is confirmed — for both instant booking and approve-first listings. Details arrive in the in-app Messages thread and include check-in instructions, house rules, and Wi-Fi where the host has provided them.

Can I book on the Daylyf website?

You can read how Daylyf works and this FAQ on daylyf.com, but search, booking, messaging, and payment all happen in the Daylyf mobile app.

FAQ — Daylyf bookings, hosts, and daycations

About Daylyf

What is a daycation?: A daycation is a daytime booking only. You book a UK space for fixed daytime hours — work, rest, create, or hide from your inbox — then go home before bedtime. Daylyf is not for overnight hotel stays. We are very firmly team "home by bedtime."
Can I book on this website?: You can read how it works and this FAQ here, but search, booking, messaging, and payment all happen in the Daylyf app. Safer for everyone, and frankly easier on a phone.
What are the check-in and check-out windows?: Every stay uses fixed daytime windows: check-in between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM, check-out between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Hosts choose their exact hours inside those windows when they list; guests see them before booking.
Is there a no-noise policy?: Yes. Daylyf strictly enforces a no noise policy on listings. Hosts set house rules; guests agree to them when they book. Drum kits are, historically, a bad idea.

Booking & payment

What are the two booking modes?: Each listing uses one mode, chosen by the host:

Instant booking — pay immediately in the app. Once payment clears, your stay is confirmed.

Host approval first — send a request; the host approves or declines within 24 hours; you pay only after they approve.

The listing page shows a badge so you know which applies before you book.
How does instant booking work?: Choose your date and time slot in the app.

Pay securely by card (Stripe).

Your booking is confirmed as soon as payment succeeds.

Check-in details — instructions, house rules, and Wi‑Fi — are sent automatically in Messages.

No waiting for host approval.
How does host approval before payment work?: Send a booking request from the listing (no payment yet).

The host has 24 hours to approve or decline. You will see a countdown in My Bookings.

If they approve, you receive a notification to Pay now in the app.

After payment, your stay is confirmed and check-in details are sent in Messages.

If the host does not respond within 24 hours, the request expires automatically and you are notified — try another date or listing.
When am I charged?: Instant booking: when you complete checkout in the app.
Host approval first: only after the host has approved your request and you tap Pay now in My Bookings. You are not charged while a request is still awaiting the host.
What payment methods does Daylyf use?: Card payments are processed securely through Stripe. Hosts receive payouts via Stripe Connect after they complete payout setup in the app. Receipts sit in your booking history.
Can I cancel a booking?: Guests can cancel from My Bookings while a booking is awaiting host approval, awaiting payment, or confirmed (subject to the host's rules and our Terms of Service). If a host declines your request or the 24-hour window expires, the booking closes without payment.

Check-in & your stay

When do I get check-in details, Wi‑Fi, and house rules?: After payment is confirmed — for both instant booking and approve-first listings. Daylyf sends an automated message in Messages with your stay summary (address, date, time window, booking code), followed by your guest stay pack: check-in instructions, house rules, and Wi‑Fi network and password where the host has provided them.
What is Active Stay?: During your booked hours, open Active Stay in the app for access notes, Wi‑Fi, and the emergency help button. Your booking updates in the background — there is no mandatory "tap to check in" step. Optional arrival photos are available if you want them; they are not required.
How do I get directions to the space?: In My Bookings, tap the address to open directions in Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze. You can also message your host in-app before you arrive.
Can I message the host?: Yes — in-app messaging keeps contact inside Daylyf. Ask about access, parking, or timing without handing your mobile number to strangers. Civilised.

For guests

Do I need verification before I can book?: Yes. For trust and safety, complete Verified ID, Verified Email, and Verified Phone in your Guest Profile before booking. The app will guide you if anything is missing.
Can I see the weather for my booking day?: Yes — add a date when you search and the app shows a forecast (conditions, temperature, rain chance, and wind) for your search area and on individual listings. Handy for garden rooms and long walks from the station.
Are pets allowed?: Only if the host marks the listing pet-friendly. When pets are allowed, the host sets how many guests may bring — up to two on Daylyf. You choose the number of pets when you book in the app.
Can I save favourite listings?: Yes. Heart spaces you like and come back when you are ready to book. No pressure, no nagging emails.
What if the host has not responded yet?: On approve-first listings, open My Bookings to see how long the host has left to respond (24 hours from when you sent the request). You will get a push notification when they approve, decline, or when the request expires.
What if payment fails or I close checkout?: On instant bookings, an unpaid reservation may sit in My Bookings until you complete payment or cancel. On approve-first bookings, you only reach checkout after approval — use Pay now when you are ready.

For hosts

How do I choose instant booking or approval first?: When you create or edit a listing, pick a booking mode:

Instant booking — guests pay immediately; stays confirm on payment; check-in details send automatically.

I approve before guests pay — you review each request and have 24 hours to approve or decline before it expires.

You can change the mode per listing when you edit the listing in the app. On a live listing, booking mode is read-only on the properties list — open Edit listing to change it.
Can I host and book with the same email?: Yes. One Daylyf sign-in can have a host account and a guest profile on the same email. Switch between hosting and traveling in the app; Daylyf remembers which mode you used last when you return.
What is Hosting score?: Hosting score is a performance score for hosts (0–100) shown on your earnings dashboard. It is separate from a guest's trust score. Listing views, response times, and completed stays all feed into how you show up as a host.
What must I provide before guests can book?: To publish, hosts must add check-in instructions, house rules, and Wi‑Fi name and password (stored securely — not shown publicly on the listing). Instant booking also requires check-in instructions before you can turn it on.
What happens when I approve a request?: The guest is notified to pay in the app. You do not send check-in details manually — Daylyf ships the guest stay pack automatically in Messages once their payment confirms.
What if I miss the 24-hour response window?: Pending requests on approve-first listings expire automatically if you do not approve or decline within 24 hours. The guest is notified; you cannot approve after expiry. Respond from your host dashboard — each request shows time remaining.
How do I get paid?: Complete Stripe Connect payout setup in the app. Guests pay through Stripe; your payout is calculated after the platform fee. Track earnings, listing views, booking history, and Hosting score on your host Dashboard in the app.
How do I become a host?: Download the app, set up a host profile, pass identity verification, connect payouts, and list your space with photos, pricing, and daytime availability. From your phone — no desktop spreadsheet required.

Trust & support

How does Daylyf verify guests and hosts?: Guests complete ID, email, and phone verification before booking and build a trust score hosts can see after you message or book. Hosts complete identity verification and payout setup; guests see a host's first name, age (not date of birth), and About me on the host profile — not full legal name or payout details.
Where is my data handled?: See our Privacy Policy for how we collect, use, and protect personal data — including Wi‑Fi credentials and messages stored for your booking.
Still stuck?: Use our for account help, bookings, and hosting. For privacy or data questions, pick the topic and your message goes straight to the right team.