> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.hoopai.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Rentals and listings

> Use HoopAI calendars for rental bookings, resource scheduling, and listing management with pricing and availability controls.

The rentals and listings feature transforms HoopAI calendars into a booking system for physical assets — equipment, venues, vehicles, vacation properties, or any resource that needs scheduled access. Listings represent bookable items, and categories organize them into browsable groups.

## Understanding listings and categories

| Concept      | Description                                                                           |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Listing**  | A single bookable item (e.g., "Conference Room A", "Canon EOS R5", "Lake House")      |
| **Category** | A group of related listings (e.g., "Meeting Rooms", "Camera Equipment", "Properties") |

Categories appear on the booking page as browsable sections. Contacts select a category, pick a listing, and book a time slot.

## Creating a category

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to rentals">
    Go to **Calendars > Rentals** in the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a category">
    Click **+ New Category** and enter a name and description. Categories help contacts browse your offerings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save** to create the category. You can now add listings to it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Creating a listing

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open a category">
    Navigate to the category where you want to add a listing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a new listing">
    Click **+ New Listing** and fill in the details:

    * **Name** — the listing title shown to contacts
    * **Description** — details about the resource
    * **Images** — photos of the item or space
    * **Duration options** — available booking durations (hourly, half-day, full-day)
    * **Capacity** — maximum number of people (for venues)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the listing">
    Click **Save**. The listing is now bookable within its category.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Configuring pricing and discounts

Each listing can have its own pricing configuration:

* **Base price** — the standard rate per booking duration
* **Per-hour pricing** — charge by the hour for flexible-duration bookings
* **Discounts** — offer percentage or fixed discounts for extended bookings, early reservations, or promotional periods
* **Seasonal pricing** — adjust rates for peak and off-peak periods

Configure pricing in the listing's **Pricing** tab. Connect a payment gateway in **Payments > Integrations** before enabling paid bookings.

## Managing bookings

All rental bookings appear in the **Appointments** section alongside regular appointments. You can:

* View bookings by listing, category, or date range
* Update booking statuses (Confirmed, Cancelled, Completed)
* Send confirmation and reminder notifications to renters
* Process payments at the time of booking or upon completion

## Availability management

Listing availability works similarly to calendar availability:

* **Weekly schedule** — set recurring available hours for each listing
* **Date-specific overrides** — block dates for maintenance, private use, or holidays
* **Buffer time** — add preparation time between bookings (e.g., cleaning time for a venue)
* **Minimum notice** — require advance booking to allow preparation

When a listing is booked for a time slot, that slot becomes unavailable to other contacts automatically.

## Use cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Equipment rental">
    Create categories for each equipment type (cameras, lighting, audio). Add individual items as listings with per-hour or per-day pricing. Contacts browse, select, and book equipment for their needed time window.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Venue booking">
    List meeting rooms, event spaces, or studios as individual listings. Include capacity, amenities, and photos. Add buffer time between bookings for setup and cleanup.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Vehicle rental">
    Create listings for each vehicle in your fleet. Set daily rates, mileage limits in the description, and require minimum booking notice for vehicle preparation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Vacation property">
    List properties with photos, descriptions, and seasonal pricing. Use date-specific overrides to block owner-use dates and maintenance windows.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  Add detailed descriptions and multiple photos to each listing. Contacts make booking decisions based on what they see, so comprehensive visuals reduce questions and increase conversion.
</Tip>

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I require a deposit for rental bookings?">
    Yes. Enable payment collection on the listing and set the amount to your desired deposit. Collect the remaining balance separately via invoice or in person.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I handle cancellations?">
    Configure a cancellation policy in the listing settings. Contacts receive a cancellation link in their confirmation email. Cancelled time slots become available again automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can contacts book multiple listings at once?">
    Each booking is for a single listing. Contacts can make multiple separate bookings if they need multiple items.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>