Do you manage rental properties and wonder how to collect a deposit without complicating your customers' lives? You're not alone. That's the question rental professionals ask us every day: how can I secure my transactions effectively while offering a seamless experience?
At Swikly, we help thousands of professionals manage their online guarantees. There are two solutions to suit your needs: the bank imprint and bank pre-authorisation. Spoiler: there are no wrong choices, just the right one for your business.
We'll explain it all in simple terms.
The bank imprint: simplicity and fluidity first and foremost
The principle in a nutshell
The bank imprint is the lightest solution for securing a deposit. In practical terms, we carry out a test transaction of €0 on your customer's card. The aim? To check that the card is valid, active and belongs to the cardholder.
No amounts are debited. No euros are blocked. Your customer keeps their card limit intact and can use it as normal. It's fast, smooth and totally transparent.
Why our customers love it
The vast majority of transactions on Swikly are carried out using a bank imprint. And with good reason:
For your tenants:
- No impact on their cash flow: their purchasing power is totally preserved
- Ultra-fast procedure (less than 2 minutes)
- A frictionless experience
Your management :
- Very high acceptance rate (your customers don't balk)
- Long-term protection: you can secure your deposits for up to several months
Ideal use cases
The bank imprint works perfectly for :
- Holiday lets and gîtes
- Open-air hotels
- Event and sports equipment hire
- Rentals of more than 30 days (only possible solution beyond 30 days)
- Coworking spaces and function rooms
- Overall, all rentals where the risk remains moderate
What you need to be aware of
The bank imprint does not guarantee that the funds will be available on the day you wish to cash in.
Between the time of booking and a possible claim, the card may expire or be cancelled, or the account may no longer have sufficient funds.
In practice, these situations are rare. But on lettings with a high risk of loss or where you absolutely must guarantee collection, this uncertainty can represent a real problem.
It is precisely in these cases that the bank pre-authorisation exists.
Bank pre-authorisation: maximum security
How does it work?
The pre-authorisation works differently.
Here, we actually block the funds in your customer's account for the duration of the rental, up to a maximum of 30 days.
The amount is not debited, but becomes unavailable in your account. This is exactly what happens when you book a hotel room or fill up with petrol using your bank card.
- Did everything go well? You release the pre-authorisation and the funds become available again instantly
- Was there a problem? You collect all or part of the amount, with the guarantee of collecting
The real benefits
Foolproof safety :
- Funds are guaranteed for 30 days (we have recently extended this period from 7 days)
- Zero risk of bank refusal on collection
Perfect for rentals of less than 30 days or at-risk rentals
- Covers rentals from a few days to 4 weeks without any problem
- Ideal for car, boat and motorhome rentals
- Recommended for expensive professional equipment
When should it be used?
Pre-authorisation is particularly recommended for professionals who are looking for a maximum security or have a high claims ratio.
- Vehicle hire (cars, motorbikes, vans, camper vans)
- Hire of boats, jet-skis and other watercraft
- Professional equipment (audiovisual, construction, industry)
- Top-of-the-range rentals (prestige villas, yachts)
- Rentals with a significant claims history
- Situations where you want an absolute guarantee that you will get your money back
The other side of the coin
Let's be honest: blocking funds will have an impact on your customer. For someone going on holiday on a tight budget or with a limited card limit, it can be a real hardship.
That's why we recommend reserving this option for situations that really justify it. And above all, you should clearly inform your customers beforehand to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Differences to remember
| Criteria | Bank footprint | Pre-authorisation |
|---|---|---|
| Blocking funds | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Impact on the customer ceiling | No | Yes, temporary |
| Solvency guarantee | No | Yes |
| Maximum duration | Up to several months | 30 days |
| Customer experience | Very fluid, purchasing power preserved | More engaging |
| Safety for professionals | High | Maximum |
| Recommended use | Standard and/or long-term rentals | High loss ratio, expensive or fragile assets |
Which option should I choose?
After years of supporting thousands of professionals, here's what we recommend:
Use the default bank imprint. This is the best compromise between simplicity and security for the majority of rentals. Your customers will appreciate that their card limit will not be affected, and you will be protected in the vast majority of cases. It's also the only solution for rentals of more than 30 days, as pre-authorisation is limited to this period.
Switch to pre-authorization in these specific situations:
- Your business has a high claims ratio
- You must absolutely guarantee collection in the event of a problem
- If you rent very expensive or fragile goods requiring maximum protection
The choice between imprinting and pre-authorisation depends above all on your situation on the ground: what is your claims rate? What level of security are you looking for? What kind of experience do you want to offer your customers?
With Swikly, you define the method that suits your business. Most of our customers use the bank imprint exclusively. Others systematically use pre-authorisation for total peace of mind. It's up to you to choose what makes sense for your business.
The Swikly Premium offer: the best of both worlds
For professionals who manage a large volume of rentals, we have developed a solution that combines all the advantages: the Swikly Premium offer.
How does it work? You benefit from all the fluidity of a bank imprint (no blocking of funds, optimum customer experience, protection over several months), with a collection guarantee of 100%.
In practical terms, even if your customer runs out of funds when you need to collect the deposit, we'll pay you the money. Absolute peace of mind without compromising on the customer experience.
This offer is reserved for professionals who meet certain criteria: sufficient volume of transactions, eligible activity, and validation of your file by our teams. If your business allows it, this is undoubtedly the most comprehensive solution on the market.
Do you think you're eligible? Talk to our team to review your situation and find out if the Premium offer can apply to your business.
