Skip to main content

Frequently Asked Questions

General​

What is Curba?​

Curba is a peer-to-peer rental marketplace where you can rent items from people in your community or list your own items for others to rent. Think of it as Airbnb, but for things instead of places.

Is Curba available in my area?​

Curba is currently available across Canada. You can filter listings by location to find items near you.

Do I need to verify my identity?​

Identity verification is required to list items. You can browse items without verification, both hosts and renters are require identity verification for your safety.

Renting​

How do I rent an item?​

Browse listings, select your dates and pricing option, and send an inquiry. Once the host accepts, you can pay and arrange pickup. See Renting an Item for the full guide.

When am I charged?​

Your payment is held when you click Pay Now, but it's only captured when you click Confirm Pickup. You're not charged until you have the item in hand.

What if I need to cancel?​

You can cancel from the Inquiry Progress page. The refund amount depends on the listing's cancellation policy and how far in advance you cancel. See Cancellation Policies.

What is the security deposit?​

A temporary hold on your card to protect the host against damage or loss. It's released automatically when the booking completes. The amount depends on the item's category and value. See Protection & Security Deposits.

Can I save items to rent later?​

Yes! Click the heart icon on any listing to save it to your favourites.

Hosting​

How do I list an item?​

Go to List an Item, fill in the details (title, description, photos, pricing, rules), and submit. A Curba admin will review and approve your listing. See Listing an Item.

How do I set pricing?​

You set three rates: daily, 3-day, and 7-day. The 3-day and 7-day rates should offer a discount to encourage longer rentals. See Payments and Pricing.

When do I get paid?​

Your earnings are deposited to your Stripe Connect account when the renter picks up the item. You can withdraw at any time from Profile > Transactions. See Host Earnings.

What cancellation policy should I choose?​

  • Flexible — Best for attracting bookings (100% refund if canceled 1+ day before)
  • Medium — Balanced protection (50% refund)
  • Strict — Maximum protection for high-value items (30% refund)

What if a renter damages my item?​

The security deposit provides protection. If the item is returned damaged, the deposit may be captured to cover the damage.

Payments​

What payment methods are accepted?​

Curba accepts major credit and debit cards through Stripe. You can save your card for faster checkout on future rentals.

How is tax calculated?​

Tax is calculated automatically based on the listing's location using Canadian provincial rates (HST/GST). See the tax rate table.

What is the service fee?​

A small fee added to each rental that helps keep Curba running. The exact amount is shown in the price breakdown before you pay.

Bookings​

How do I track my booking?​

  • Inquiry Progress page — Track a specific booking step by step
  • Booking Dashboard — View all your bookings in one place
  • Notifications — Receive real-time updates at each step

What are the booking steps?​

Every booking follows these steps: Sent → Accepted → Paid → Ready for Pickup → Picked Up → Returned → Completed. See Booking Lifecycle.

Can the host cancel my booking?​

Yes, but if the host cancels, you receive a full refund with no cancellation fee.

Account​

How do I change my profile information?​

Go to Profile to update your name and phone number.

How do I manage my notifications?​

Go to Profile > Settings > Notification Preferences to toggle booking request and message notifications.

How do I set up payouts as a host?​

Go to Profile > Transactions and Add Payout Method

Troubleshooting​

My payment isn't going through​

  • Check that your card details are entered correctly
  • Ensure your card has sufficient funds or credit
  • Try a different payment method
  • Contact your bank if the issue persists

I'm not receiving notifications​

  • Check your notification preferences in Profile > Settings
  • Ensure notifications are enabled in your browser or device settings
  • Check your email spam folder for email notifications

My listing wasn't approved​

  • Make sure your photos are clear and well-lit
  • Check that your description is accurate and complete
  • Ensure your pricing is reasonable
  • Contact support if you need more information

I need help with something else​

Use the Contact Us page to reach Curba support. We're happy to help!