At Kindred, our community is built on trust. These Property Requirements exist to make sure every home on our platform is safe, accurately represented, and worthy of that trust.

We know most of our Members joined Kindred because they genuinely want to share their space and experience the world through someone else's home. These requirements aren't here to create barriers — they're here to protect you, your home, and the Guests who stay in it.

These Property Requirements work alongside Kindred's Member Code of Conduct and Damage Protection Program. Violations of these requirements may also constitute violations of the Member Code of Conduct or the Terms of Service, and be subject to the enforcement actions described therein, including suspension or permanent removal from the platform. Where property-related incidents involve damage claims, the Damage Protection Program terms will also apply.


1. Ownership & Authorization

  • Properties must be owned or rented by the Member who is applying.
  • Kindred may require documentation to verify ownership, tenancy, and/or authorization to host at any time. Acceptable documentation includes, but is not limited to, a lease agreement, rental agreement, deed, or written landlord authorization.
  • Each unique home address may be associated with only one active Kindred account at a time. If multiple Members apply to host from the same address, Kindred may require documentation to determine which Member has the right to list the property, and may decline or remove listings at its sole discretion. 

2. Insurance

  • Members must maintain an active homeowners insurance policy (if the property is owned) or a renters insurance policy (if the property is rented) throughout the duration of their Kindred membership.
  • At minimum, this policy must provide liability coverage for injuries and hazards in the home, and property coverage sufficient to cover the replacement value of the home's contents and repairs.
  • Kindred may request proof of active and compliant insurance coverage at any time. Failure to provide proof may result in suspension or removal from the platform.
  • ‍Active insurance coverage is also a condition of participation in Kindred's Damage Protection Program. If a Host does not have a qualifying policy in place at the time of a damage incident, Damage Protection does not apply. For full details on how host insurance interacts with damage claims, see Damage Protection Program.
  • Kindred may update these insurance requirements with 60 days' written notice to Members. If you are unsure whether your current policy meets these requirements, please contact hello@livekindred.com before listing your home.

3. Safety & Health Standards

  • There must be no known and/or apparent safety or health hazards. Examples of hazards include, but are not limited to: exposed or faulty wiring, structural instability, unsafe staircases or railings, trip hazards, or any condition that poses an unreasonable risk to Guests.
  • All doors that provide ingress or egress into the unit must lock.
  • Homes must be equipped with functioning smoke detectors. 
  • Carbon monoxide alarms are required where mandated by local law or where gas appliances, heating systems, or attached garages are present. Requirements vary by location — Members should review applicable local regulations to determine what is required in their home. 
  • Homes must be equipped with at least one accessible fire extinguisher.
  • There must be no illicit drugs, biohazards, or exposed dangerous substances on the property.

4. Cleanliness, Condition & Utilities

  • Homes must be maintained in a clean, sanitary, and functional condition. This includes being free from pests, excessive odors, mold, and significant trash or debris.
  • All ingress and egress pathways must remain clear and unobstructed.
  • Homes must have functioning essential utilities, including water, electricity, and climate control appropriate to the region. Broken or non-functioning essential systems (e.g., heating, cooling, plumbing) must be repaired prior to hosting a Guest.
  • Homes must be guest-ready at the time of each stay. This includes clean linens, a cleared and accessible sleeping space, and any amenities listed as available being functional and accessible upon arrival.

5. Occupancy

  • Homes must accurately represent and adhere to safe and reasonable occupancy limits based on the property's size, layout, and applicable local regulations. Hosts may not knowingly allow more Guests than the stated and permissible occupancy limit.

6. Space & Accessibility

  • Kindred only supports whole-home listings. Individual rooms, shared spaces, or partial-home arrangements are not permitted on the platform.
  • Homes must have a private entrance that provides direct access without requiring Guests to pass through another resident's living space. Shared exterior pathways (such as a garden walkway to a separate back unit or an apartment hallway) are acceptable.
  • Homes must include a private, dedicated bathroom for Guest use.
  • Homes must include a private, dedicated kitchen or kitchenette for Guest use. Shared kitchen arrangements (such as co-op or co-living situations where kitchen access is communal) do not meet this requirement.

7. Accurate Representation

  • Homes must be accurately represented in all listings, including photos, amenities, and location. Photos or videos provided by Members must be current and reflect the actual condition of the home (no MLS stock photos, outdated, or AI images/alterations).
  • Misrepresentation of a property — including inaccurate amenities, misleading photos, or providing a materially different property than listed — may result in immediate removal from the platform. See Member Code of Conduct.
  • Hosts must disclose the presence of pets in their home profile. This applies even if pets will not be present during the Guest's stay but regularly occupy the home.
  • Hosts must accurately describe the accessibility features and limitations of their home, including but not limited to the presence of stairs, narrow doorways, step-free access, and any other conditions that may affect mobility. This information must be kept current and reflected in the home's profile.
  • All amenities listed in a home's profile must be accurate, functional, and available for Guest use at the time of the stay. If an amenity becomes unavailable, Hosts must update their listing promptly and notify any affected Guests in advance.

8. Surveillance & Privacy

  • Indoor surveillance or recording devices (including cameras, baby/pet cameras, audio recording devices, and other smart devices with audio or video recording capabilities) are strictly prohibited in any area of the home during a Guest’s stay. 
  • Smart speakers or voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home are only permitted if clearly disclosed to the Guest in advance.
  • Outdoor surveillance devices are permitted only in common exterior areas (such as front doors or driveways) and must be disclosed in the listing and home guide prior to a Guest's stay.
  • Outdoor surveillance devices must never be positioned to capture interior spaces, or any area where a Guest has a reasonable expectation of privacy, including but not limited to pools, hot tubs, outdoor showers, or enclosed patios.
  • Hosts are responsible for ensuring that any surveillance devices on their property comply with all applicable local, state, and national laws, including any jurisdiction-specific disclosure or consent requirements. Kindred's disclosure requirement does not substitute for any legal obligations that may apply in your location.

9. Firearms & Dangerous Items

  • Firearms and weapons must be unloaded, disarmed, and securely stored in a locked container that is inaccessible to Guests or children. Ammunition shall be stored separately, also in a locked container that is inaccessible to Guests or children.

10. Third-Party Compliance

  • Members must comply with all applicable requirements imposed on them as a Host — including landlord lease requirements, homeowner's association requirements, and applicable laws and regulations — for allowing Guests to stay in their home or listing their home on Kindred. This may include informing a landlord, homeowners association, building management, or other applicable party about a Guest’s planned stay or, where required, providing limited Guest information. Hosts should only share information reasonably necessary to comply with applicable requirements and should not share Guest contact information unless required by law or authorized by the Guest.

11. Location & Relocation

  •  If a Member moves or relocates, they must notify Kindred and reapply to have their new home reviewed and accepted before it can be listed on the platform. 

12. Platform Integrity

  • Properties may not be used in a way that manipulates, exploits, or undermines the integrity of the Kindred platform. This includes, but is not limited to, rotating fake home listings, operating listing farms, subletting or re-renting a home as a Guest to anyone else, or any coordinated behavior designed to game platform systems.

13. Ongoing Verification & Right to Inspect

  • Kindred may periodically review or re-verify homes to ensure ongoing compliance with these requirements. Member circumstances, home conditions, and applicable regulations may change over time, and re-verification helps maintain the safety and quality of the platform.
  • Kindred reserves the right to request additional documentation, photos, or virtual verification of a home at any time. In appropriate circumstances, Kindred may require a virtual walkthrough or other form of in-person or remote inspection.
  • It is at Kindred's sole discretion whether a home may be listed on the platform. Kindred reserves the right to suspend or remove any Member or listing at any time.

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Disclaimer

You are solely responsible for understanding and complying with all laws, rules, regulations, and third-party agreements that apply to your Home and your participation as a Host, including compliance with the same by the other members of your household (where applicable). This includes any requirements related to permits, licenses, registration, guest disclosure, tenancy rights, rent control, and eviction laws — which vary by jurisdiction and may apply regardless of how Kindred classifies the exchange.

While Kindred facilitates a home exchange rather than a short term property rental, some jurisdictions nevertheless may apply rental, lodging, or short-term accommodation laws to  home exchange arrangements. In some places, hosting guests in your home may be restricted or prohibited altogether. You should not rely on Kindred's characterization as a legal determination of how your local laws apply.

Any information Kindred provides about legal requirements is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should review local requirements or consult a qualified attorney if you have questions about your obligations. You are also responsible for handling the personal data of Guests in compliance with applicable privacy laws and Kindred's Terms of Service.

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Questions

If you have any questions about our Property Requirements, please email hello@livekindred.com.

Thanks for being here. This community is only possible because of you.

— Kindred Community Team

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