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Security Deposits

Security deposits protect your business against damage or loss. EquipDash supports two methods for handling deposits: placing a hold on the customer's card (pre-authorization) or charging the deposit upfront.

How Security Deposits Work​

When a booking includes a security deposit:

  1. At booking time -- the deposit is collected from the customer (either as a hold or a charge).
  2. During the rental -- the deposit is held while the customer has your equipment.
  3. At return -- you either release the deposit back to the customer, or capture it (fully or partially) if there is damage or loss.

Deposit Methods​

Your preferred deposit method is set in Settings > Payments > Checkout, Deposits & Card Readers. There are two methods:

MethodHow It Works
Hold (Pre-authorization)A temporary hold is placed on the customer's card. No money is actually charged. The hold is released when you release the deposit, or captured if needed. Holds typically expire after 7 days depending on the customer's bank.
ChargeThe deposit amount is charged to the customer's card upfront. When items are returned undamaged, you refund the deposit.

Collecting a Security Deposit​

Security deposits are typically collected during the booking flow when the customer pays. If the deposit was not collected at the time of booking:

  1. Open the booking from the bookings table.
  2. In the Security Deposit section of the pricing summary, click Place Hold or Charge Deposit (depending on your configured method).
  3. Choose a payment method: Tap to Pay (card terminal) or Credit card (Stripe).
  4. Process the deposit using the selected method.

The Place Security Deposit Hold modal showing the deposit amount and payment method options.

Deposit Statuses​

StatusMeaning
NoneNo security deposit on this booking.
HeldA pre-authorization hold has been placed on the customer's card.
ChargedThe deposit has been charged to the customer's card.
ReleasedThe deposit has been released back to the customer (hold removed or refund issued).
CapturedThe deposit (or part of it) has been captured due to damage or loss.

Releasing a Deposit​

When items are returned in good condition:

  1. Open the booking.
  2. In the Security Deposit section, click the Release button.
  3. Review the confirmation message and click Release Deposit.

If the deposit was a hold, the pre-authorization is cancelled and the funds are released back to the customer's card. If the deposit was a charge, the amount is refunded to the customer's card.

The Release Security Deposit modal showing the deposit amount and a Release Deposit button.

Capturing a Deposit​

If items are returned damaged or not returned at all, you can capture part or all of the deposit:

  1. Open the booking.
  2. In the Security Deposit section, click the Capture button.
  3. Enter the amount to capture in the Capture amount field. This can be the full deposit amount or a partial amount.
  4. Click Capture Deposit.

The captured amount is transferred to your Stripe account. If you captured less than the full deposit, the remaining amount is released back to the customer.

The Capture Security Deposit modal showing the deposit amount, capture amount field, and Capture Deposit button.

Setting Up Security Deposits​

To configure security deposits for your products:

  1. Go to Settings > Payments > Checkout, Deposits & Card Readers.
  2. Choose your preferred deposit method (Hold or Charge).
  3. Set the default deposit amount on individual products in Product settings.

Important Notes​

  • Security deposits require Stripe to be connected.
  • Pre-authorization holds have a limited duration (typically 7 days). If the hold expires before you release or capture it, you may not be able to capture the funds.
  • All deposit actions (hold, release, capture) are logged in the booking's history.
  • Cash or bank transfer deposits are tracked manually in EquipDash -- the actual money handling happens outside the system.