Safety Tips

Most people who are travelling and who arrange accommodation through RoomFT are honest, upstanding people, who will make the whole experience enjoyable.

However, as in all walks of life, there may be a tiny minority of people who may use this site to further their own unwelcome pursuits.

By taking some basic precautions you can minimise your exposure to such people.

This is not an exhaustive list and if you are in doubt or worried about your safety, let someone else know, or in an emergency, call the local Police.

Safety Tips for Hosts

Use your common sense. If you feel uncomfortable about letting your room to someone, then DON’T agree to host them.

If you are unsure, ask questions to travellers eg about the purpose of their trip. You can also ask to see a copy of their passport or other proof of identity before or on arrival.

You may prefer to only host travellers that have been verified or hold a minimum star-rating.  Look at what other hosts have written about the traveller on their feedback page.

When you receive a room enquiry email from a traveller, look at their RoomFT profile.

Always communicate through the webmail facility on RoomFT.com.  This will ensure privacy and a full trail of correspondence if you ever need to refer back.

DO NOT give travellers your contact and address details until you are satisfied that you wish to host them and the booking has been confirmed and accepted.

Depending on how long your guests are staying, you may give them a key for their room. You may decide to give them a regular front door lock but  we would advise that you  DO NOT provide them with a key for the deadbolt security lock.

Let a family friend/neighbour know that you are having guests to stay.

You may choose to only stay with hosts that have been verified or who hold a minimum number of star-rating.  Take a look at the feedback that other travellers have left for your host.

When you make or receive a room enquiry email from a host, view their profile. You may need to send emails to the host to clarify matters that you are unsure of.

Always communicate through the webmail facility on RoomFT.com.  This will ensure privacy and a full trail of correspondence if you ever need to refer back.

Ensure you have adequate travel insurance to cover illness, injury and loss of money, baggage and tickets.

Depending on how long you are travelling have a plan to stay in touch. Email or telephone home or a friend regularly. Consider taking a mobile phone and/or getting a free web-based email account - put friends' and family's contact details into the address book of your email account.

There are Internet Cafes in most places. Leave details of your journey with your family and friends and tell them of any change of plan. 

Take photocopies of important documents (e.g. passports, visas, tickets, medical certificates and driving licence) and keep them separately. Take spare passport photographs. If you are travelling with a friend, carry a copy of each other's passport and travel documents.

Send important information in an email to your email account, in case you lose all your travel documents and hard copies (e.g. insurance policy number and 24-hour emergency number; passport, visa and ticket details; and 24-hour emergency numbers for lost or stolen credit cards).

On your first night, email or phone home or a friend and let them know that you have arrived safely.