Great idea, but hidden fees
I love the concept of Kindred, and my hosting experience has been great but the pricing as a guest is disappointing.
Kindred advertises itself as home swapping where you pay the cleaning fee. What isn’t clear is that Kindred also charges its own service fee PER NIGHT, and that money goes to the platform—not to the host. Charging this fee nightly instead of once per stay makes the savings surprisingly small. Compared to similar Airbnb’s where I’m going on my next trip, kindred only ends up being $20-30 less per night.
Though Kindred may make sense for very expensive cities, for smaller towns the nightly fee undermines the value of the home swapping platform. I’d rather pay more and have my money go to the host than have Kindred keep all the profit for themselves while advertising that they’re a credit based home swapping platform.
Kindred advertises itself as home swapping where you pay the cleaning fee. What isn’t clear is that Kindred also charges its own service fee PER NIGHT, and that money goes to the platform—not to the host. Charging this fee nightly instead of once per stay makes the savings surprisingly small. Compared to similar Airbnb’s where I’m going on my next trip, kindred only ends up being $20-30 less per night.
Though Kindred may make sense for very expensive cities, for smaller towns the nightly fee undermines the value of the home swapping platform. I’d rather pay more and have my money go to the host than have Kindred keep all the profit for themselves while advertising that they’re a credit based home swapping platform.
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No longer recommend after hosting 70 nights. Don’t host here
This platform was once great. Great guests and community. I hosted 70 nights over 2 years, was asked to be in their PR story, but I don’t recommend it anymore.
If you want to use the platform as a guest, it can be pretty good. But if you are a host, I would think twice before giving this platform your home.
Their operational diligence and approach to safety and care has become comically low. Consistent pattern of failures across four areas:
Privacy violations
• Dec 2024: A cleaner opened a privacy-stickered cabinet, reportedly while searching for a plunger. The sticker exists precisely so that cleaners message me instead of entering.
• Jan 2026: Privacy tapes were torn in two separate rooms — the bathroom and the living room. Not sure why whom.
• May/Jun 2026: Privacy tape torn in 2 places. Cleaner opened my main closet, which had a privacy sticker on it, and used bedding there instead of the designated linens clearly labeled in the linen closet and in the instructions.
Access and security
• May/Jun 2026: Emergency access codes I shared with concierge team for a one-time situation were copied into the permanent access instructions for my home — without my knowledge — across multiple guest stays. I flagged this on Jun 1 and it was brushed off. On Jun 5, the next cleaning team tried to use the dead codes, couldn’t get in, and called me frantically while I had to manage the fallout remotely.
• When I raised this with support on Jun 1, I was told adding backup codes to permanent instructions was standard practice. That concerns me more than the individual incident.
• This is part of a broader pattern of access problems being pushed onto me rather than handled internally. In Nov 2024 and again in Jun 2026, I was called internationally while traveling because a cleaner couldn’t use the entry app. Both times, your concierge team contacted me without first verifying the credentials themselves. Both times, when they finally tried it themselves, it worked immediately. The entry app has never had an issue. The cleaner simply couldn’t use it correctly.
Careless handling and damage
• Dec 2024/Jan 2025: Perishable food left to grow mold in my fridge, damp towels left on chairs, items moved and not returned, vacuum left under the TV stand.
• Dec 2025/Jan 2026: Pillows damaged and found torn, an unfamiliar pillow left behind, wine glasses left sticky and stored incorrectly. A guest explicitly reported the home was not clean on arrival and that the headboard was loose — your concierge was notified mid-stay and nothing was rectified at checkout.
• Jun 2026: several items missing. Was told to hold 7 days before they can open a case. Then told me I need to report before the 7 day deadline. Completely unclear. So much hassle for prob 35 bucks of household items.
Feedback and investigation handling
• Dec 2024: Rather than using the manufacturing date on the moldy food to identify which guest’s stay it was from, your team emailed all guests across four back-to-back stays — unnecessarily implicating innocent guests and damaging guest relationships.
When I’ve raised these issues, the responses have been slow, fragmented, and focused on process over accountability. When issues were resolved at all, compensation came in the form of platform credits — which is meaningless when the host lost trust in the service entirely.
If you want to use the platform as a guest, it can be pretty good. But if you are a host, I would think twice before giving this platform your home.
Their operational diligence and approach to safety and care has become comically low. Consistent pattern of failures across four areas:
Privacy violations
• Dec 2024: A cleaner opened a privacy-stickered cabinet, reportedly while searching for a plunger. The sticker exists precisely so that cleaners message me instead of entering.
• Jan 2026: Privacy tapes were torn in two separate rooms — the bathroom and the living room. Not sure why whom.
• May/Jun 2026: Privacy tape torn in 2 places. Cleaner opened my main closet, which had a privacy sticker on it, and used bedding there instead of the designated linens clearly labeled in the linen closet and in the instructions.
Access and security
• May/Jun 2026: Emergency access codes I shared with concierge team for a one-time situation were copied into the permanent access instructions for my home — without my knowledge — across multiple guest stays. I flagged this on Jun 1 and it was brushed off. On Jun 5, the next cleaning team tried to use the dead codes, couldn’t get in, and called me frantically while I had to manage the fallout remotely.
• When I raised this with support on Jun 1, I was told adding backup codes to permanent instructions was standard practice. That concerns me more than the individual incident.
• This is part of a broader pattern of access problems being pushed onto me rather than handled internally. In Nov 2024 and again in Jun 2026, I was called internationally while traveling because a cleaner couldn’t use the entry app. Both times, your concierge team contacted me without first verifying the credentials themselves. Both times, when they finally tried it themselves, it worked immediately. The entry app has never had an issue. The cleaner simply couldn’t use it correctly.
Careless handling and damage
• Dec 2024/Jan 2025: Perishable food left to grow mold in my fridge, damp towels left on chairs, items moved and not returned, vacuum left under the TV stand.
• Dec 2025/Jan 2026: Pillows damaged and found torn, an unfamiliar pillow left behind, wine glasses left sticky and stored incorrectly. A guest explicitly reported the home was not clean on arrival and that the headboard was loose — your concierge was notified mid-stay and nothing was rectified at checkout.
• Jun 2026: several items missing. Was told to hold 7 days before they can open a case. Then told me I need to report before the 7 day deadline. Completely unclear. So much hassle for prob 35 bucks of household items.
Feedback and investigation handling
• Dec 2024: Rather than using the manufacturing date on the moldy food to identify which guest’s stay it was from, your team emailed all guests across four back-to-back stays — unnecessarily implicating innocent guests and damaging guest relationships.
When I’ve raised these issues, the responses have been slow, fragmented, and focused on process over accountability. When issues were resolved at all, compensation came in the form of platform credits — which is meaningless when the host lost trust in the service entirely.
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Love the app but wish it was more accessible
I had nothing but amazing things to say about the app until I realized you could only stay as many nights as you rent. I understand the entire concept is about giving and getting, and also sharing your space with the community. However, my property has been listed for a long time with no requests to book. As eager, as I am to continue using the app, traveling, and building community, I’m limited because there are either to many people swapping homes in my area that mine is not getting traction, or because my apartment is simply not as desirable as others. It’s unfortunate that I am limited by that as I am getting no booking requests.
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Unreliable app that lets hosts cancel whenever they want
Got my stay in Amsterdam canceled a week before going there because my host apparently did not check if they could invite people to stay at their home with their landlord… their home is still listed on the app. Second cancelation for the same trip.
Guest Couple had sex on my bed and kindred won’t replace
$30006-months old bedframe broken and it won’t be reimbursed by kindred glass coverage
kindred made up a bogus reason not to replace because they wont accept a couple can’t break a bed during sex. Useless policy
kindred made up a bogus reason not to replace because they wont accept a couple can’t break a bed during sex. Useless policy
Sketchy stay requests, bad customer support and inexperienced hosts
Really wanted to love Kindred but utterly unimpressed. As someone who has hosted and been a guest dozens of times on Home Exchange and Airbnb - this falls far short. It’s as if they haven’t thought thru basic contingency plans.
As a host - I’ve gotten some fairly odd / sketchy requests. Like from people requesting not for themselves but for friends / family members not vetted or on the app. Or a 25 year old who lives 20 minutes away who says they just want to “experience” your neighborhood. (We have a large family home and my worst fear is someone throwing a party). The worst part is kindred forces you to respond and when you reject the request, they block the dates on your calendar so you can’t host anyone else.
I’m in the middle of my first stay as a guest and am floored by how hard they make it to contact customer support and the host. The host put up dozens of post its on topics like which dishes cannot go into the dishwasher , which I respect and understand - but failed to note the wifi password anywhere. (Not in their house manual, nor posted in their house).
This is a particular issue because the house is in a very remote location with no cellular data access. 1 out of 4 phones received any data at all. I tried contacting customer support - but laughably all communication is via the app - which I cannot use because of the lack of wifi and no data. We contacted the host and support at 4pm and as of 10pm I’ve received no response from the host and 1 message (via app I can’t access) from support. I never received any welcome note or check in from the host at all.
I have no idea why Kindred doesn’t have multiple ways to contact the host or support. They seem eager to completely set up everyone for failure
As a host - I’ve gotten some fairly odd / sketchy requests. Like from people requesting not for themselves but for friends / family members not vetted or on the app. Or a 25 year old who lives 20 minutes away who says they just want to “experience” your neighborhood. (We have a large family home and my worst fear is someone throwing a party). The worst part is kindred forces you to respond and when you reject the request, they block the dates on your calendar so you can’t host anyone else.
I’m in the middle of my first stay as a guest and am floored by how hard they make it to contact customer support and the host. The host put up dozens of post its on topics like which dishes cannot go into the dishwasher , which I respect and understand - but failed to note the wifi password anywhere. (Not in their house manual, nor posted in their house).
This is a particular issue because the house is in a very remote location with no cellular data access. 1 out of 4 phones received any data at all. I tried contacting customer support - but laughably all communication is via the app - which I cannot use because of the lack of wifi and no data. We contacted the host and support at 4pm and as of 10pm I’ve received no response from the host and 1 message (via app I can’t access) from support. I never received any welcome note or check in from the host at all.
I have no idea why Kindred doesn’t have multiple ways to contact the host or support. They seem eager to completely set up everyone for failure
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Great concept but can be frustrating
For my first stay in NYC, I was accepted very quickly without needing to jump around and look for different options. Maybe I got extremely lucky. But after that for my second trip to NYC, it’s been very very difficult to find a place to stay. As others have mentioned, you are restricted to sending 2 requests at a time, which makes it very difficult when nobody responds to you. Then you might miss out on other places. I’ve sent 6 requests and counting this week with no responses/acceptances within 48 hours. This app is a great concept but I’m starting to realize it doesn’t work very well for booking trips.
I would also mention the whole purpose is to home swap and save money, so while I understand there are some fees, the fees do seem a little high as they can still be similar prices to hotels/not a whole lot cheaper unless you’re looking for long/extended stays.
I would also mention the whole purpose is to home swap and save money, so while I understand there are some fees, the fees do seem a little high as they can still be similar prices to hotels/not a whole lot cheaper unless you’re looking for long/extended stays.
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Concerning
One guest behaved very opportunistically — helping himself to high-value personal items (expensive wine and premium jamón ibérico) without replacing them, while offering to reimburse minor things like coffee. He also damaged a fire alarm, significantly increased electricity consumption (~£170 over two weeks vs normal), and triggered a neighbour complaint due to late-night noise. While Kindred covered part of the costs, the bigger issue is structural: there is no transparency for hosts. The guest’s profile remains active and he can continue booking other homes, with no warning about this behaviour. As a result, hosts have no way to make informed decisions, and the same issues can easily repeat.
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Frustrating
I am trying for weeks now to get a place in New York City. I have been so frustrated. The rules just don’t work well for requesting tripsWhen hosts do not answer for days at a time and you’re only allowed to have two requests at a time. I am not sure that I will stay on this app anymore. I have 56 days that I have hosted and I cannot seem to use the days that I need in New York City and I’ve been looking for weeks.
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Great first Hosting
I felt I had a trusted friend, guiding me all through the process of hosting. The
professionalism was second to none. Highly recommended Kindred Team.
professionalism was second to none. Highly recommended Kindred Team.
Great Service
Kindred is a good platform but on the app itself could be much more intuitive.
Unsure at first, HUGE FAN NOW!
I’ve been a Kindred member for over a year and finally my family booked our first stay. We were a little timid about this new platform and method of staying somewhere, not sure what to expect. I’ve always believed in the community and slow travel values that sets Kindred apart…but now I have experienced them first hand. Our hosts were so kind and communicative, eager for us to feel comfortable and confident. Our accommodations were beyond compare….everything is highest level of greatness! I am excited to host for the first time now, and recommend this human centered enlightened travel option for all who hold the values of hospitality, community, and connection dear. Thank you Kindred!
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Astronomical Pricing
The entire point of the app was supposed to be an affordable easy home swapping app, otherwise I’d just get a hotel or an airbnb. The pricing for two nights being $270 is insane!
Love this platform
Great app
No protection for hosts from bad guests beware!
I hosted twice on Kindred, and both experiences were negative. The first guest consumed over $150 worth of food without permission. The second guest had a poor attitude, making the stay uncomfortable and unpleasant. Allowing strangers to stay in my $3.5M, 4-bedroom home under these conditions was a mistake, and I regret joining the platform.
Kindred’s customer service was entirely unhelpful in both cases. More concerning, hosts are not able to leave reviews for guests, which means there is no way to warn other hosts or create accountability. The system offers little to no protection for hosts, and based on my experience, the platform does not appear to prioritize host interests. I would strongly caution anyone considering listing a valuable home here.
Kindred’s customer service was entirely unhelpful in both cases. More concerning, hosts are not able to leave reviews for guests, which means there is no way to warn other hosts or create accountability. The system offers little to no protection for hosts, and based on my experience, the platform does not appear to prioritize host interests. I would strongly caution anyone considering listing a valuable home here.
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Scam and amateur
Do not trust Kindred with your place and your peace of mind. They are a scam. They gaslight you and they don’t know how to run this business. They lost the keys to my place. Could not access my apartment.
The perfect travel app
Respectable Community, incredibly well developed App and support!
Fantastic Hosts!
We had a lovely time at Mary and Sander’s home. The house was just right for our SF visit in all ways with incredible views of the city, including the bay. Mary was always very communicative and helpful when we had questions. We also bonded with her kitty, GG!
Great stay!
Staying at Carly’s home was perfect. Location was great and the Christmas tree was so beautiful and festive. We had a wonderful time.
Lots to be improved
The good:
- This idea of being able to swap homes and offer to host in return to getting credits is great.
- For the most part, there are a lot of great quality homes on the app.
- Getting home to a professionally cleaned apartment does feel really great!
Areas of improvement:
- Allow more flexibility/autonomy on the app between the users and hosts. A lot of restrictions via changes being made and auto-declining/archiving of messages.
- Quality control: Some homes I am honestly very surprised by who got approved to be on this app…
- Pricing model: I was actually shocked that a service fee is charged per night of a stay despite having stay credits. The service fees ranges from $36-80+ per night…which yes it is likely cheaper than getting a hotel. I thought the value of me hosting people for free is to be able to stay for free at other’s homes. I don’t mind paying a cleaning fee and maybe a small % service fee, but the current range is quite high. It might make sense to charge those rates to people who don’t have enough stay credits. This doesn’t really incentivize me to host more in the future because people’s homes aren’t necessarily set up as proper airbnbs and dates for night homes doesn’t always align with your travel dates, which make it very limiting of when I would use these night stays.
- Better filtering features: would be great! It would be great if I can [X] homes that I know would not interest me at all and be able to sort out my list of saved properties in a nicer way.
- Reviews: I would like it to be a two street to allow reviews from guest of homes.
I still think what Kindred is doing is great. I would like to see the company take a lot of feedback from its users and implement. You are definitely creating a new market for yourself, there are just a few things that need to be ironed out.
- This idea of being able to swap homes and offer to host in return to getting credits is great.
- For the most part, there are a lot of great quality homes on the app.
- Getting home to a professionally cleaned apartment does feel really great!
Areas of improvement:
- Allow more flexibility/autonomy on the app between the users and hosts. A lot of restrictions via changes being made and auto-declining/archiving of messages.
- Quality control: Some homes I am honestly very surprised by who got approved to be on this app…
- Pricing model: I was actually shocked that a service fee is charged per night of a stay despite having stay credits. The service fees ranges from $36-80+ per night…which yes it is likely cheaper than getting a hotel. I thought the value of me hosting people for free is to be able to stay for free at other’s homes. I don’t mind paying a cleaning fee and maybe a small % service fee, but the current range is quite high. It might make sense to charge those rates to people who don’t have enough stay credits. This doesn’t really incentivize me to host more in the future because people’s homes aren’t necessarily set up as proper airbnbs and dates for night homes doesn’t always align with your travel dates, which make it very limiting of when I would use these night stays.
- Better filtering features: would be great! It would be great if I can [X] homes that I know would not interest me at all and be able to sort out my list of saved properties in a nicer way.
- Reviews: I would like it to be a two street to allow reviews from guest of homes.
I still think what Kindred is doing is great. I would like to see the company take a lot of feedback from its users and implement. You are definitely creating a new market for yourself, there are just a few things that need to be ironed out.
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