Holds and unpaid requests
A hold that has not been paid can be released at any time and costs nothing. Holds expire automatically if payment is not completed.
Where a house requires host approval, the amount due today is authorized on your card as a hold, not a charge. It is captured only if the host approves. If the host declines, or the request is not actioned within the approval window, the authorization is released in full and nothing is taken.
Confirmed bookings — the Haus Format schedule
One schedule applies to every house and to STAY, CREATE, GATHER and RETREAT. Every threshold is measured in exact hours from your scheduled start time, in the property's local time, at the moment we receive your cancellation. Percentages below are what Haus Format retains.
More than 10 days (240 hours) before start: full refund of your refundable booking charges.
More than 7 days and up to 10 days before start (above 168 hours, up to and including 240 hours): we retain 25% of those charges.
3 to 7 days before start (72 hours up to and including 168 hours): we retain 50%. A cancellation exactly 7 days out falls in this tier.
Less than 72 hours before start: no refund. We will still release the dates.
The Haus Format guest service fee is non-refundable once a booking is confirmed. Taxes are refunded in proportion to the amount refunded. Third-party Experience bookings follow the vendor's own policy shown at the time you added them.
A refundable damage authorization is released rather than refunded; it is never captured on cancellation unless a claim is filed and approved.
The terms that apply to your booking are shown at checkout before you pay and restated in your cancellation confirmation.
Changes and reductions
Date and time changes are treated as a cancellation and rebooking unless we agree otherwise in writing.
Reducing attendance does not reduce required event security below the level already staffed for your event.
Cancellations by Haus Format
If we cancel a confirmed booking for any reason other than your breach of these policies, you receive a full refund of everything paid for that booking. Where possible we will offer an alternative house or date first.
Refund timing
Approved refunds are returned to the original payment method through Stripe. Your bank determines how quickly the funds appear.