Online security deposits

Collect a security deposit online. Hold it. Charge only when needed.

Send a secure deposit link before a stay, rental, or event. Your customer authorizes the amount on their card; after inspection, capture all, capture part, or release the hold.

No-code payment linkFull or partial captureAutomatic customer updates
Holiday home deposit
#DEP-2026-184
AUTHORIZED
€500.00
Reserved on card · not charged
13 days remainingMar 6, 2026
Capture
Partial capture
Release
PayRequest deposit status
From request to release

One clear deposit workflow for you and your customer

A security deposit is not an upfront payment. The amount remains a temporary card hold until you capture it, release it, or the provider deadline expires.

01

Create and share

Set an amount and duration. Send the branded link by email, message, or QR code.

02

Customer authorizes

The customer confirms the card hold. PayRequest records the provider deadline and status.

03

Inspect and decide

After checkout or return, capture only a justified amount—or release everything.

04

Keep everyone informed

The customer page shows whether the hold is active, captured, released, or expired.

Developer integrations

Automate deposits with the Security Deposits API

Connect a booking system to PayRequest with an idempotent deposit link, signed status webhooks and explicit capture or release actions.

Create once per booking

POST /api/v1/deposits with the booking reference, amount, customer and stay dates. Reuse an Idempotency-Key on retries so a timeout cannot create a duplicate hold.

React to signed events

Handle deposit.authorized, deposit.partially_captured, deposit.released, deposit.expired and failure events after verifying the HMAC-SHA256 signature.

Capture or release

Use POST /api/v1/deposits/{id}/capture for documented damage or /release when the inspection is clean. The provider deadline remains the hard limit.

Deposit decisions

Charge the damage, not the whole deposit

Choose the outcome that matches the inspection. A partial capture releases the remaining authorized amount.

Full release

€500 held → €0 charged

Everything is returned as agreed. Release the complete hold.

Partial capture

€500 held → €75 charged

Capture a documented cleaning, fuel, or replacement cost and release the rest.

Full capture

€500 held → €500 charged

Use the full amount only when the documented loss supports it.

Hold duration

Use the provider deadline—not a guessed date

Card-network and provider rules determine how long a hold remains capturable. PayRequest surfaces the deadline so you can inspect with a buffer.

StripeOften 7 daysLonger windows depend on card brand, pricing, and extended-authorization eligibility.
MollieUp to 30 days for supported cardsThe capture-before date depends on the payment method and card network.
PayPalUp to 29 days with reauthorizationPayRequest renews the authorization during the supported window and flags failures.
Always follow the capture-before deadline shown for the individual deposit. A configured duration never overrides the provider or issuing bank.
Transparent customer experience

Every deposit has a live status—not a vague promise

Customers see the amount, deadline, remaining hold, and capture history on a branded page. You keep a clear record from authorization through release.

Provider capture deadline
Complete status history
Partial-capture amounts
Automatic notifications
Branded customer page
Expired-hold warning
Holiday home deposit
#DEP-2026-184
AUTHORIZED
€500.00
Reserved on card · not charged
13 days remainingMar 6, 2026
Capture
Partial capture
Release
PayRequest deposit status

Online security deposit questions

Is a security deposit charged immediately?

No. With pre-authorization, the amount is reserved on the customer's card but is not charged unless you capture all or part of it.

Can I capture only part of the deposit?

Yes. Capture the documented amount you need and release the remainder.

How long can a card hold last?

It depends on the provider, card network, payment method, and account eligibility. Use the deadline shown on the individual PayRequest deposit.

What happens when a hold expires?

The authorization can no longer be captured. If payment is still due, create a new payment or deposit request.

Can customers authorize by bank transfer?

No. Authorization holds require a supported card or provider flow. Bank transfers such as iDEAL and SEPA do not place card holds.

Protect the booking without charging upfront

Create a deposit link, follow the provider deadline, and capture only what the inspection supports.