What a deposit is

An owner may set a refundable security deposit on a listing, between £0 and £250. It is money set aside against loss or damage, not a payment for the hire. It is not income for the owner, and YOKE takes no part of it.

When it is taken

If a listing has a deposit, it is shown separately before you book and charged together with the rental when the owner accepts your request. You are never charged a deposit without seeing the amount first.

The deposit is charged rather than merely held on your card. Card authorisations expire after about seven days, which is shorter than many hires, so a hold cannot reliably cover a rental. Charging and refunding is the only way the amount is genuinely there at the end.

When it comes back

When the owner marks the tool as returned, the deposit is refunded in full to the card you paid with. Refunds are issued immediately from our side; your bank typically shows the money within five to ten working days.

If a booking is declined or cancelled before it starts, nothing is charged at all — including the deposit.

When some of it is withheld

A deposit is only withheld where a damage or loss claim has been reported and reviewed under the Damage & Dispute Policy. It is never withheld automatically, and never by the owner acting alone.

If a claim is upheld in part, only that part is withheld and the balance is refunded. Any amount withheld is paid to the owner as compensation. YOKE keeps none of it.

A record of every movement

Every deposit charge, refund and retention is recorded against the booking with the amount and the time. You can see the current state of your deposit on the booking at any point.