Welcome to the Kindred Community

At Kindred, trust is the foundation of everything we do. Together, we unlock the ability to travel more, stay longer, and go further—all while building a respectful and conscientious community.

This document outlines the standards and expectations we hold for all members of our community. These values ensure that everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. By following these guidelines, you help make Kindred a trusted and thriving network.

This document is part of Kindred’s Terms of Service (the “Terms”), and terms not defined in this document may be defined in the Terms. Please take a moment to review this document carefully.

Note: Violations of the Code of Conduct are also a violation of our Terms of Service and may lead to suspension or removal from the Kindred Platform.
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Core Membership Values

We're Human First Kindred is a community of friends, not strangers. Your actions impact others directly, so treat fellow members with care and understanding.

Respect and Be Worthy of Respect Follow the "Best Friend's Grandmother" test: Would your actions be appropriate in her Home? More about this below.

Overcommunicate Home sharing is new for many of us. When in doubt, ask. Open and honest communication helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures a positive experience for everyone.

Give to Get Kindred operates on a give-to-get model. The more you contribute, the more you'll gain in return.

We Do Not Discriminate or Harass Kindred is an inclusive community. No member may discriminate against or harass any other member, cleaner, neighbor, or Kindred representative on the basis of a protected class or characteristic, including race, religion, gender, sex, sexual identity, age, disability, familial status, marital status, ethnicity, nation of origin, sexual orientation, caste, pregnancy (and related medical conditions), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. This applies to all interactions within the Kindred network—whether as a Host deciding who may stay in your Home, a Guest interacting with service professionals, or any other context.


Community Guidelines

Being part of Kindred means respecting privacy, fostering safety, and acting with integrity in all interactions. These rules apply both on the Platform, in-app messaging and chat, and in community spaces like Slack or WhatsApp.

General Requirements

  • Respect Member Privacy: Only contact members outside of the Kindred Platform with mutual consent. Read more in Kindred's Terms of Service.
  • No Off-Platform Solicitation: Keep all bookings and payments within Kindred's Platform. This includes in-app messages and chats — do not use them to arrange off-Platform transactions.
  • Uphold Mutual Respect: Be kind, professional, and honest in all interactions — including in-app messages and community spaces. Assume positive intent and disagree with kindness.
  • No Inappropriate or Harmful Content: Do not share offensive, discriminatory, or explicit material in any Kindred space — including in-app messaging, Slack, or WhatsApp.
  • Community Spaces: Use Slack, WhatsApp, and Kindred's in-app messaging responsibly, avoiding harassment, bullying, or personal attacks.
  • Protect Privacy in All Channels: Do not share screenshots or repost content from in-app chats or community spaces without the other party's permission.

Marketplace Integrity

Kindred works because members participate in good faith. To protect the community, the following activities are prohibited:

  • Coordinating, facilitating, or participating in booking arrangements—whether reciprocal, between connected parties, or otherwise—designed to artificially earn Credits or bypass normal platform operation.
  • Using multiple accounts, shared accounts, or affiliated accounts to improperly obtain Credits, referrals, or other benefits.
  • Any other conduct intended to manipulate the marketplace or circumvent the purpose of the platform, including artificially inflating bookings, Credits, referrals, or marketplace participation metrics.

Kindred may investigate suspected abuse and take action, including reversing credits, canceling bookings, restricting account access, or removing members from the platform.


When Acting as a Guest

The Best Friend's Grandmother Test: Treat your Host's Home as you would your best friend's grandmother's: with care, respect, and thoughtfulness.

Respect the Home

  • Use furniture and appliances gently.
  • Read the Home guide in advance and abide by all documented house rules.
  • Leave a thank-you note. While a gift isn't required, it's always appreciated!
  • Complete all pre-departure tasks and fully vacate by check-out time.
  • Never turn away the check-out cleaners unless you have explicit authorization from Kindred to do so.

Communicate Honestly and Respectfully

  • Report any damages or issues immediately—within 24 hours of the incident. Share photos and notes promptly and do not hide or minimize any damage.
  • Respond promptly to inquiries from your Host or Kindred.
  • Be collaborative, respectful, and kind to service professionals, Kindred representatives, and neighbors.
  • If a service professional needs to access the Home during your stay, do your best to be present or allow access so urgent work can be completed.

Respect Check-In and Check-Out Times

  • Request any schedule adjustments more than 72 hours in advance.
  • Respect the check-out time you are given. Since this is someone's real Home, not all requests can be accommodated.

Respect Your Host's Privacy

  • Do not open any drawers, cabinets, or doors marked as off-limits by the Host.
  • Do not look for or use personal items (hygiene products, linens, etc.) unless explicitly made available to you.
  • Use the Guest linens, towels, and toiletries provided by the Host.

Photography and Sharing of Home Content

Kindred supports thoughtful sharing of your travel experiences. To protect Host privacy and Home security, we draw a clear line between two types of concern.

Identifiability and Security — Always Prohibited

You must never share content—publicly or privately—that could be used to identify or compromise the security of a Host's Home. This includes:

  • Exterior photos that reveal the street address, building number, neighborhood landmarks, or other location-identifying details.
  • Lockbox codes, key fob instructions, alarm codes, entry keypads, or any access credentials.
  • The Home guide, home address, or any security-related information.
  • Any combination of images and location tags that, taken together, would allow a third party to identify or find the property.

Privacy and Comfort — Requires Judgment and Permission

Beyond security, you must be thoughtful about posting or sharing content that could make your Host feel their personal space has been violated.

  • Do not photograph or share images of family photos, personal memorabilia, identifiable belongings, or anything that reveals personal details about the Host or their household.
  • Do not photograph building staff (cleaners, front desk personnel, property managers, etc) without their explicit consent.
  • Interior photos of neutral spaces (a beautifully set dining table, a scenic view from the living room) may be shared, but use discretion. When in doubt, ask your Host first.
  • If you have a public platform—a blog, newsletter, social media account, or other publication—apply an especially high standard of care. Content shared publicly about a Host's Home reflects on the entire Kindred community and may be amplified in ways neither you nor Kindred can control.

Important: These photo standards apply regardless of the circumstances of your stay, including early checkouts, disputes, or service issues. If you experience an issue with a Home or your Host, we're here to help. Please contact support@livekindred.com for assistance.

Follow House Rules and Respect Neighbors

  • Follow house rules set forth in the Home Guide or shared separately by the host.
  • Follow all known building or HOA rules and comply with applicable local regulations where relevant to your behavior as a Guest.
  • Keep noise to a minimum at night and keep driveway access clear.
  • Do not smoke, vape, or use drugs inside Kindred Homes or anywhere that could disturb neighbors, such as balconies, patios, or common areas.

Members are responsible for ensuring their use of cannabis complies with applicable local and state laws. Kindred's permission framework does not constitute endorsement of cannabis use where it is prohibited by law.

Guests, Pets, and Gatherings

  • Accurately include all overnight Guests in your booking within the app, including their details. If plans change or additional overnight Guests are expected after booking, communicate with the Host and obtain approval in advance.
  • Ask permission before bringing any animals into the Home (overnight or visiting). All pets must be added within the app at the time of booking and are subject to Host approval.
  • Guests are responsible for assessing pet-related considerations in the host’s home. Guests with allergies or sensitivities should confirm whether pets are present or regularly in the Home prior to booking.
  • Any gathering with 10 or more individuals in a Kindred Home requires express consent from the Host at least 24 hours before the gathering.
  • You are responsible for the behavior of anyone you invite into the Home and are accountable for any Code of Conduct violations or damage they may cause.

Smoking

  • Smoking and cannabis use are prohibited both inside and in outdoor areas of a host's home.

Booking on Behalf of Others

You may only book a Kindred Home on behalf of others as follows:

  • Immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, parent, sibling, or child age 21+): You may book on their behalf only with the Host's prior approval. Once approved, they may stay without you.

Emergencies

  • In any situation that poses an immediate risk to life or safety—including fire, medical emergency, gas leak, or natural disaster—call emergency services (911 in the US, or the local equivalent) first.
  • Notify Kindred's support team as soon as it is safe to do so.
  • Notify your Host as soon as it is safe to do so.
  • Upon arrival, familiarize yourself with the location of fire exits, fire extinguishers, and emergency contact information, and check for any related notes in the Home guide.
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When Acting as a Host

Be Respectful and Responsive

  • As Hosts, you decide who can stay in your Home, but you may not discriminate against Members on any protected-class basis. (See "We Do Not Discriminate" above.)
  • Acknowledge hosting requests within 48 hours.
  • When your input is needed, respond within 12 hours. If you expect to be unreachable during a Guest's stay, communicate this via the group chat before your departure.
  • Only cancel existing booked trips when absolutely necessary. A pattern of cancellations may prompt a membership review. See Kindred's Trip Cancellations & Adjustments Policy for details.

Prepare Your Home

  • Leave your Home reasonably decluttered and free of health or safety hazards. This means personal items stored away, closet space cleared for Guests, and common areas tidy and welcoming.
  • Follow all Home preparation guidance to ensure Guests arrive at a clean, functional Home with Guest towels, linens, and basic amenities (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper, etc.). For more information, see How to Prep for a Kindred Guest.
  • Ensure your Home is vacant and prepared in time for the Guest's scheduled check-in cleaning.
  • Provide accurate, up-to-date photos and Home descriptions. There is nothing to be gained by misleading others.

Pets

  • Disclose in your Home profile whether pets live in or regularly visit your Home and whether any pet care is required of Guests.
  • Failure to disclose pets that are present during a Guest's stay may be treated as a material misrepresentation.

Smoking

  • Smoking and cannabis use are prohibited both inside and in outdoor areas of a host's home.
  • Hosts may choose to explicitly permit smoking or cannabis use in outdoor areas via their house rules. Any deviation from the default must be clearly stated in the Home guide.

Respect Your Guest's Privacy

  • It is strictly prohibited to use any audio or video recording devices to monitor inside your Home during a Guest's stay. Disconnect any indoor monitoring devices before a trip.
  • Outdoor security cameras are permitted, but you must disclose their locations in your Home guide. Hosts are responsible for ensuring outdoor cameras comply with applicable local laws, including any jurisdiction-specific disclosure requirements for areas where Guests may have a reasonable expectation of privacy (e.g., pool areas).
  • If you have hardwired cameras that you believe to be off or inactive during the Guest's stay, note this in your Home guide. Guests who suspect a camera may be recording should contact you or Kindred immediately.
  • Do not return to your Home unannounced during a Guest's stay unless it is absolutely necessary in the event of an emergency.

Communicate Honestly

  • Disclose in advance any information that might create an uncomfortable stay: pool closures, construction, ongoing maintenance, etc.
  • Comply with any applicable lodging or home safety regulations in your jurisdiction, in addition to any applicable HOA, lease, or building requirements.
  • If something in your Home has been misplaced, damaged, or used improperly, or if you believe a Guest has violated this Code of Conduct, notify Kindred's support team immediately.


Code of Conduct Violations

Violations breach trust within the Kindred network and can cause distress, inconvenience, and frustration even when they don't result in meaningful property damage or health and safety risks.

Examples of violations include:

  • A Guest did not follow the Home guide instructions or house rules.
  • A Host did not adequately prepare their Home.
  • A Host misrepresented Home details or repeatedly added unavailable dates.
  • A Guest had an accident and did not disclose it within 24 hours.
  • A Member was unresponsive when important information was needed.
  • A Guest did not replace keys correctly or forgot to lock the door.
  • A Guest missed their check-out time.
  • A Guest shared photos or content that violated the Photography and Sharing standards above.

Major violations are a more serious category and include conduct that:

  • Could endanger the health, safety, or security of any Member, cleaner, neighbor, or property—whether through intentional action, negligence, or recklessness.
  • Involves illicit or unlawful activity, including theft or illegal drugs.
  • Involves lying, withholding, or misrepresenting information to Kindred or fellow Members—including not reporting Guests, hiding damage, or misrepresenting identity.
  • Involves aggressive, threatening, harassing, or discriminatory behavior toward any Member, Guest, cleaner, or neighbor.
  • Involves a breach of our Terms of Service or Privacy Policy, including rules around recording devices, copying keys, or sharing Home access information.
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What Happens After a Violation

Investigation: When a potential violation is reported, Kindred files a confidential internal Issue Report. The Trust & Safety team investigates and contacts relevant Members to gather information. Accounts may be paused during this process, and any active or upcoming trips and hostings may be canceled. Decisions about whether a violation occurred are based on the available evidence—including Member communications, photos, and Host, Guest, cleaner, or vendor accounts—and are made at Kindred's sole discretion.

Enforcement ladder: Kindred applies graduated enforcement based on the nature, severity, and pattern of conduct:

  • First or minor incident: Feedback and guidance to help prevent recurrence.
  • Repeated or escalating incidents: Formal issue report and/or temporary account pause.
  • Pattern of violations: Holistic review, which may result in membership suspension or revocation. While three Issue Reports will generally prompt a comprehensive review of a Member's conduct, Kindred may initiate a holistic review sooner when warranted based on the severity, context, or pattern of behavior.
  • Major violation: May result in an immediate account pause pending investigation. If the investigation finds that a major violation likely occurred, membership will be revoked immediately, and all future booked trips and outstanding Credits will be canceled without recourse.

Revocation: Members whose membership is revoked will have all future bookings and outstanding Credits canceled. Access to the Kindred network, Slack, and WhatsApp groups will be terminated immediately.

Appeals: Members whose membership is revoked may submit a written appeal within 14 days by emailing support@livekindred.com. Appeals may be submitted on the basis of new evidence or procedural error. A designated Trust & Safety lead will review the appeal and communicate a final decision within 30 days.

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Questions or Concerns?

We're here to help. Reach out to the Concierge Team anytime through the Kindred app or at support@livekindred.com — whether you have a question about this policy or need to report a concern about a Guest or Host.