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 the 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.

Please take a moment to review this document carefully.

Violations of the Code of Conduct may lead to suspension or removal from the Kindred network.
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Core Membership Values

We’re Human First (alt: Together, We Thrive)

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.)

Over Communicate

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.

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 and in community spaces like Slack or WhatsApp.

General Expectations

  • Respect Member Privacy: Only contact members outside of the platform with mutual consent. Read more about this in Kindred’s Privacy Policy.
  • No Off-Platform Solicitation: Keep all bookings and payments within Kindred’s platform.
  • Uphold Mutual Respect: Be kind, professional, and honest in all interactions.
  • Community Spaces: Use Slack and WhatsApp responsibly, avoiding harassment, bullying, or inappropriate content.

Do’s and Don’ts for Community Spaces

  • Do: Keep communication positive and on-topic. Respect boundaries if members don’t respond to messages.
  • Don’t: Share personal information, promote businesses, or arrange stays outside of Kindred’s platform

For Urgent Help: Contact Kindred’s concierge team directly rather than relying on Slack or WhatsApp.

When Acting as a Guest Guidelines

Being a guest in someone’s home is a privilege. To ensure a positive experience for both guests and hosts, follow these key guidelines:

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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.
  • Follow the home guide and house rules provided by your host.
  • Leave a thank-you note (or a small gift, if inspired!).

Communicate Honestly and Respectfully

  • Report any damages or issues immediately.
  • Respond promptly to inquiries from your host or Kindred.
  • Maintain respectful and timely communication with fellow members, service providers, and Kindred employees to foster a positive community experience.

Respect Check-In and Check-Out Times

  • Request schedule adjustments in advance.
  • Leave the home in good condition, completing any pre-departure tasks.

Respect Privacy

  • Don’t open drawers, use personal items, or share photos of the home without permission.

Follow House Rules:

  • Ask for permission before bringing guests, pets, or hosting gatherings.

When Acting as a Host Guidelines

As a host, you’re offering a unique and generous gift—sharing your home with trusted members. These guidelines ensure that hosting is smooth, respectful, and rewarding:

Be Respectful and Responsive

  • Respond to hosting requests within 48 hours.
  • Update your availability and communicate promptly if plans change.

Prepare Your Home

  • Declutter and ensure your home is safe and welcoming.
  • Follow all home preparation instructions, including providing the basics like toiletries, hand soap, toilet paper, and guest linens & towels.

Respect Guest Privacy

  • Disconnect indoor cameras or monitoring devices during a guest’s stay.
  • Avoid returning to the home unless in an emergency.

Communicate Honestly and Respectfully

  • Accurately represent your home in photos and descriptions.
  • Disclose any potential issues (e.g., construction or maintenance) ahead of time.
  • Maintain respectful and timely communication with fellow members, service providers, and Kindred employees to foster a positive community experience.

Code of Conduct Violations

Violations of the Code of Conduct harm the trust and integrity of the Kindred community. Examples include:

  • Failure to follow home guide instructions or house rules.
  • Misrepresenting home availability or details.
  • Not reporting damages or accidents honestly.
  • Harassment or discriminatory behavior.

What Happens After a Violation?

  • Investigation: Kindred’s Trust and Safety team will review the issue and gather information from all parties.
  • Temporary Account Pause: Members under investigation may have their accounts paused during the review process.
  • Outcomes: Honest mistakes are addressed with feedback, while egregious or repeated violations may result in membership removal.

Major Code of Conduct Violations

“Major” violations are severe breaches of trust, including:

  • Actions that endanger health, safety, or security.
  • Illicit or unlawful activity.
  • Harassment or discriminatory behavior.

Immediate Consequences: Major violations result in a membership pause during investigation and potential permanent removal from the Kindred network.

Questions

If you have any questions about this policy, please message the Concierge Team in the Kindred app or email support@livekindred.com

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Member Policy Overview

This section contains the detailed guidelines, expectations, and processes that govern all aspects of membership, hosting, and guest participation within the Kindred community. The purpose of this addendum is to ensure full transparency and accountability while reinforcing trust across our network.

  1. Respect member privacy. We don’t contact fellow members via personal channels such as social media, email, or text unless there is mutual consent established on Kindred’s platform beforehand (or the interaction is properly facilitated through Kindred or community Slack channels). Mutual consent means both parties have agreed to connect off the Kindred platform. Read more about this in Kindred’s Privacy Policy.
  2. No off-platform solicitation. We do not solicit bookings, request stays, or coordinate payments via social media or outside of Kindred’s approved channels. All stays, payments, and coordination must be conducted within the Kindred platform to ensure safety, transparency, and a seamless experience for all members.
  3. Uphold mutual respect. Always act with integrity, recognizing that your actions impact both your fellow members and the community as a whole.
  4. Kindred Slack and Whatsapp communities:
    1. No bullying: Don’t single out any individuals in a negative manner in public channels. Let’s keep communication positive and supportive.
    2. Respect boundaries: You’re welcome to send a direct message, but if a member doesn’t respond after three attempts, it’s time to stop. Repeated messaging may be considered harassment. Remember, members aren't required to respond to DMs in any community space.
    3. Be yourself: Always be genuine and don’t misrepresent who you are. Authenticity is key in our community!
    4. Keep it kind: Please avoid posting anything that’s hurtful, rude, or intimidating. Expletives can be appropriate when positive ("fck yeah" = okay) but are not appropriate when negative ("fck you" = not okay).‍
    5. For time-sensitive help: If you need help with an active trip or hosting situation, Slack isn’t the best place for it. Contact the Concierge Team for real-time support instead—Slack isn’t monitored by the concierge team.‍
    6. Stay on topic: Please don’t use Kindred Slack or Whatsapp groups to promote your businesses or projects, except in channels designed specifically for this purpose. For example, use the #whatimworkingon channel in Slack to share your work and support others.‍
    7. Kindred stays only: Organizing stays, swaps, or rentals outside of Kindred’s platform (like sharing Airbnb or Home Exchange links) is a no-go in our community spaces, including Slack and WhatsApp.‍
    8. Off-platform events: If you plan a non-Kindred-sponsored event through Slack, that event is considered off-platform. Kindred isn’t responsible for what happens there or any costs involved.‍
    9. Keep politics out of it: While politics are important, Kindred isn’t the place for political debates. Let’s focus on what brings us together!‍
    10. Code of Conduct Violations: If your behavior in any Kindred space (in real life or online) violates our Code of Conduct, it will be handled as if it happened during a trip or while hosting. We’ll investigate, and your membership could be at risk.‍
    11. Leaving the community: If you decide to leave Kindred or if your membership is paused or terminated, we’ll remove you from the Kindred Slack and WhatsApp groups.

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Guest Guidelines

  1. We treat our host’s home even better than we treat our own homes.
    1. We read the home guide in advance of our stay and abide by all documented house rules.
    2. We acknowledge the trust our hosts are placing in us by letting us into their homes. We use furniture, houseware, and appliances gently; clean up any messes we make; and are careful not to stain or damage anything in the home.
    3. We do our best to adhere to host requests, like watering plants or running the dishwasher.
    4. We ensure that anyone we invite into the home also abides by all house rules.
    5. We leave a thank you note. While a thank-you gift isn’t required, it’s always appreciated!
  1. We overcommunicate and always act with honesty.
    1. If the Kindred team or our host reaches out to us, we do our best to respond promptly.
    2. We err on the side of disclosure. If we see anything “off” in the home, whether it was our fault or not, we immediately disclose it to Kindred and our host (e.g., a leak, an alarm going off, etc.). We trust that our host will be grateful instead of accusatory and that Kindred will support us in rectifying the situation.
    3. If a service professional needs to be called during our stay (e.g., a plumber), we do our best to be present or allow access so that any urgent work can be completed.
    4. Accidents happen. If we accidentally damage or stain something, we are forthright and apologetic without getting defensive. We share pictures and notes as soon as possible (within 24 hours of the incident occurring) and do not hide or minimize any damage. We work collaboratively with the host and with Kindred to find an acceptable solution, knowing that Kindred will have our backs with their Damage Policy as long as we act with honesty and good intentions.
  1. We respect check-in and check-out times
    1. We request any adjustments to check-in or check-out times more than 72 hours in advance. We respect the check-out time that we are given and understand that since this is someone’s real home, not all requests are able to be accommodated.
    2. At the end of our scheduled trip, we complete any pre-departure tasks and fully vacate the Kindred home by check-out time.
    3. We never turn away the check-out cleaners unless we have authorization from Kindred to do so. We understand that if we prevent the cleaning team from starting on schedule, we may be liable for fees.
  1. We treat others with respect.
    1. We are collaborative, respectful, and kind to service professionals (e.g., cleaners), to Kindred representatives, and to all our members.
    2. If we encounter neighbors on our stay, we are kind and respectful.
    3. We follow all known building or HOA rules and are conscientious about inconveniencing neighbors. This includes keeping noise to a minimum at night and keeping driveway access clear.
    4. We do not smoke, vape, or use drugs inside Kindred homes or anywhere that could disturb neighbors, such as balconies, patios, or common areas.
  1. We honor our hosts by respecting their privacy.
    1. We do not open any drawers, cabinets, or doors marked as off limits by the host, such as with a sticky note.
    2. We do not look for personal items in closets, drawers, or cabinets unless instructed to by our host.
    3. We do not use any of our host’s personal hygiene products, including razors, face wash, bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, loofahs, floss, nail clippers, etc, unless the host has made such products available to the guest through the host’s house rules, a note to the guest, or through obvious placement for guest’s use. If there’s any question, we will contact the host to confirm.
    4. We use the guest linens provided by the host (guest towels, guest sheets, guest toiletries), and not to look for or use other linens in the host’s home.
    5. We do not photograph any personal items in the home. We don’t publicly share any photos or details that would expose the host’s personal identity or home address. This may include exterior photos, street names, street views, etc.
    6. We never distribute or share the home guide, address, or access/lockbox codes except with approved guests.
  1. We ask permission to have any overnight guests, pets, or large gatherings.
    1. We share the full name and contact information as early as possible (ideally before booking, or at least 24 hours in advance) for any overnight travel companions.
    2. We ask for permission before bringing any animals into the home (overnight or visiting). We understand that some homes may have specific rules about animals, and we are responsible for any animal-related damage or issues that arise during our stay.
    3. We understand that it’s our responsibility to ensure the guest count is accurate for the trip, and—since this is someone’s personal home versus public accommodation—it’s up to our hosts to approve any overnight guests or animals.
    4. Any gatherings with 10 or more individuals in a Kindred home must have express consent from the host to occur at least 24 hours before the gathering.
    5. We’re responsible for the behavior of anyone we invite into the home, and are accountable for any Code of Conduct violations or damage they may cause.
    6. We never book a Kindred home on behalf of friends if we are not going to also be present at the home ourselves. However, we may book on behalf of immediate family members—such as a spouse, partner, parent, sibling, or child above the age of 21—without needing to accompany them on the trip, as long as this is explicitly disclosed to and approved by both Kindred and the host ahead of time. We must accompany any extended family members, such as cousins, aunts, or uncles.

Host Guidelines

  1. We treat fellow members with respect.
    1. As hosts, we decide who can stay in our homes, but we do not discriminate against any other members on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or any other protected class.
    2. When our input is needed by our guest or by a Kindred representative, we do our best to respond within 12 hours. If we expect to be unreachable during your guest’s stay, we communicate this via the group chat before our departure.
    3. We earnestly do our best to help our guests have a fantastic experience. We are reasonable, kind, and welcoming. We know that it reflects poorly on the community if we are rude, combative, or accusatory.
  1. We are responsive to hosting requests.
    1. We acknowledge hosting requests within 48 hours.
    2. We understand that being non-responsive can impact a guest’s plans and experience, so we make every effort to update our availability or respectfully decline if necessary.
    3. We only cancel existing booked trips when absolutely necessary. If Kindred observes a pattern of cancellations, Kindred reserves the right to review the status of your membership. Read more about this in Kindred’s Cancellation Policy.
  2. We put care into home preparation and follow Kindred’s instructions.
    1. We leave our homes reasonably decluttered, without any hazards that might create a health or safety concern, and do our best to accommodate cleaners.
    2. We follow all home preparation guidance to ensure that our guests arrive at a home that is clean and functional, and have use of guest towels, linens, and basic amenities (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper, etc.)
    3. We ensure our homes are vacant and prepared in time for the guest’s scheduled check-in cleaning.
  1. We respect our guest’s privacy during their stay.
    1. It is strictly prohibited to use any audio or video recording devices to monitor inside your home during a guest’s stay. Before a trip, we disconnect any such devices that monitor activity indoors. Outdoor security cameras are okay.
    2. We do not return to our home unannounced during a guest's stay unless it is absolutely necessary in the event of an emergency, such as leaving behind important items like a passport or essential medical supplies.
  2. We overcommunicate and always act with honesty.
    1. We disclose ahead of time any information that might create an uncomfortable stay for our guests and set accurate expectations (e.g., pool closure, construction, pest problems, etc.)
    2. We ensure that photos, home details, and home availability are up-to-date and provide an accurate representation of our home. We know there is nothing to be gained by misleading others.
    3. If we’re nervous about anything, we reach out to our Concierge Team for support.
    4. If something in our home has been misplaced, damaged, or used improperly, or if we are worried that a guest has violated this Code of Conduct, we notify Kindred’s support team immediately. For more information, see Kindred’s Damage Policy.

Violations

Violations of this Code of Conduct breach the trust within the Kindred network, and can cause others distress, inconvenience, and frustration, even if the violation is not so significant that it results in meaningful property damage or health and safety risks.

Examples of behavior considered to be a violation of the above Code of Conduct:

  • A guest did not follow the Home Guide instructions or house rules.
  • A host did not adequately prepare their home as per the “How To Prep Your Home” instructions.
  • A host misrepresents their home details or repeatedly adds availability that is not reflective of the actual availability of the home.
  • A guest had an honest accident at the home and did NOT disclose that accident to Kindred or the host.
  • A member was not communicative when important information was needed.
  • A guest did not replace keys correctly or remember to lock the door when leaving.
  • A guest slept in late and missed their check-out time.

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What happens when there is an alleged violation of the Code of Conduct?

When a member or vendor indicates that another member may have violated the Code of Conduct, Kindred files the complaint internally in a confidential Issue Report.

The Kindred team will investigate the Issue Report, and if necessary, they will contact relevant community members to gather information about the incident or provide specific feedback to ensure it doesn’t happen again. While Kindred is investigating a potential violation, they will pause the accounts of any members in question (prevent booking new trips or hostings) until they have adequate information to assess what occurred.

Honest mistakes happen and are not typically grounds for removal from the Kindred network. However, it is grounds for removal if those honest mistakes become a pattern of behavior, or if a single violation is particularly worrisome, egregious, or dangerous.

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Repeated Issue Reports

If three (3) Issue Reports are filed regarding one member, Kindred’s Trust and Safety team is obligated to perform a holistic evaluation of the member’s conduct to determine if the individual does have a pattern of conduct violations. If found to be the case, they may have their membership revoked.

Members will be notified via email of the outcome of this evaluation, and if their membership is revoked, all future bookings and outstanding credits will be canceled without recourse or appeal, and access to the Kindred network will be revoked immediately.

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Major Code of Conduct Violations

“Major” Code of Conduct Violations are particularly serious. These are defined as those violations that:

  1. Could reasonably be expected to endanger the health, safety, or security of any Kindred members, vendors, neighbors, or personal property, whether as a result of intentional action, negligence, or recklessness.
  2. Involve illicit or unlawful activity or behavior. This includes theft of any kind, as well as incidents involving illegal drugs.
  3. Involve lying, withholding, or misrepresenting important information to the Kindred team or fellow members when traveling, hosting, or during an incident investigation. This includes not reporting guests, hiding property damage, or misrepresenting your or a guest’s identity.
  4. Involve any kind of aggressive, threatening, harassing, pejorative, or discriminatory behavior, against any member, guest, or vendor, whether verbal, written, or physical.
  5. Involve a breach of our Terms of Service or Privacy Policy, including rules regarding audio or video monitoring, copying keys, sharing home access or other personal or home-related information with others, or using Kindred-owned content in a manner that appears fraudulent, misleading, or violates our Terms in any way.

Any Major Violations of the Member Code of Conduct will result in immediately pausing the related individual’s Kindred membership until an investigation can be completed by Kindred’s internal Trust and Safety team. While the individual’s membership is paused, they may not stay in any Kindred properties, book any Kindred stays, earn credits, or host any trips in their home.

The member under investigation will be notified via email that an Issue Report was filed and informed of the outcome of any investigation. If the investigation finds that a Major Violation likely occurred, the individual’s membership will be revoked immediately and any booked trips and outstanding credits will be canceled without recourse or appeal, and access to Kindred will be revoked immediately.

Details regarding the incident will be held confidential to respect the privacy of all involved members, including any individuals whose membership is revoked.

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