How can we help?

Creating an account is easy! Click the "Sign Up" button on the homepage, enter your email address, create a password, and fill in your basic profile information. You can also sign up using your Google, Facebook, or Apple account for faster registration.

Yes! Creating an account, browsing listings, and basic messaging are completely free. We offer premium features like profile boosts, advanced filters, and priority support through our subscription plans. A small service fee applies when you complete a booking.

Our smart matching algorithm analyzes your preferences, lifestyle habits, budget, and location to suggest compatible roommates. The more complete your profile, the better your matches will be. You'll see a compatibility score (0-100%) for each potential match.

Cohabli is currently available in major metropolitan areas across the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, Denver, and many more. We're constantly expanding to new cities.

Absolutely! Our website is fully responsive and works great on mobile devices. Simply visit cohabli.com from your phone's browser. Native iOS and Android apps are coming soon!

Use our search feature to browse available rooms and roommates. You can filter by location, price range, move-in date, and lifestyle preferences. Save your favorite listings so you can easily revisit them later.

A complete profile gets 3x more responses! Include a clear photo, detailed bio, your occupation, lifestyle habits (sleep schedule, cleanliness, guests policy), and what you're looking for in a roommate. Be honest - it leads to better matches.

Once you find someone interesting, click the "Message" button on their profile or listing. Introduce yourself, mention what caught your attention, and ask relevant questions. Our messaging system keeps all your conversations organized in one place.

The compatibility score (0-100%) indicates how well you match with another user based on lifestyle preferences, budget, location, and other factors. Higher scores mean better potential compatibility, but we recommend chatting to confirm the match feels right.

Yes! Our co-searcher feature lets you create a search group with friends or partners. You can browse listings together, share favorites, and coordinate your search. The group leader can message hosts on behalf of everyone.

Click "Add Listing" in the navigation, then follow our step-by-step guide. You'll add property details, upload photos (5-20 recommended), set your price, specify amenities, and describe your ideal roommate. The more details, the better quality inquiries you'll receive.

Include clear, well-lit photos of: the available room, common areas (kitchen, living room, bathroom), exterior of the building, and neighborhood highlights. Listings with 10+ photos get 2x more inquiries. Avoid filters and show the space as it actually looks.

Research comparable listings in your area using our search feature. Consider factors like room size, private bathroom, included utilities, parking, and location to determine a competitive rate.

Yes! You can view each applicant's profile, verification status, reviews, and trust score. You can also require applicants to complete background checks or income verification before considering them. Use our messaging to ask questions and schedule video calls.

Go to your Dashboard > My Listings, find the listing you want to modify, and click the menu icon. Select "Pause" to temporarily hide it or "Delete" to remove it permanently. Paused listings can be reactivated anytime.

We offer multiple verification levels: Email & Phone (basic), ID Verification (government ID check), Background Check (criminal & eviction history), Income Verification (employment & income), and Social Verification (LinkedIn/Facebook). Each verification adds to your trust score.

Our secure ID verification process uses advanced technology to verify your identity. You'll upload a photo of your government-issued ID (passport, driver's license) and take a selfie. Our system matches your face to the ID and verifies document authenticity.

Background checks search national and state criminal databases, sex offender registries, and eviction records. Results show pass/fail status - detailed information remains private unless you choose to share it. Checks are valid for 1 year.

Your Trust Score is based on your verification levels (Email: 10pts, Phone: 10pts, ID: 30pts, Background Check: 25pts, Income: 15pts, Social: 5pts), completed bookings, reviews and ratings, account age, and any reports against your account. The more verified and active you are, the higher your score.

Absolutely. We use bank-level encryption to protect your data. Verification documents are processed by certified third-party providers and are never shared with other users. We comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy regulations. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Once you've found the right room, click "Request to Book" or "Book Now" (for instant book listings). Review the pricing breakdown, select your move-in and move-out dates, add your payment method, and confirm. For regular bookings, the host will review your request and accept or decline.

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover). All payments are processed securely through Stripe.

Security deposits are calculated based on the listing and included in your booking details. The deposit amount is set by the host and displayed during the booking process so there are no surprises.

Cancellation policies vary by listing. Flexible: 100% refund if cancelled more than 24 hours before move-in, 50% within 24 hours. Moderate: 50% refund if cancelled 5+ days before move-in, 25% for 1-4 days before. Strict: 50% refund if cancelled 14+ days before, 25% for 7-13 days before, no refund under 7 days. If the host cancels, you always receive a full refund. Always check the specific policy before booking.

We charge a one-time $25 booking fee on your first booking through the platform. There are no recurring fees — after the initial booking, all future payments between you and your roommate/host are handled directly. Hosts pay no platform fees.

We implement multiple safety measures: verified user profiles, background checks, secure messaging (no personal info shared until you choose), automated scam detection that flags suspicious messages, and content moderation. We also provide safety tips and resources.

Click the "Report" button on any profile, listing, or message that seems suspicious. Our team reviews all reports and will follow up. You can also email safety@cohabli.com for urgent concerns.

Always video chat first to verify the person matches their profile. Meet in public places initially. Tell a friend or family member your plans and share your location with them. Trust your instincts - if something feels off, don't proceed.

Open your conversation with the user, click the menu icon (three dots), and select "Block User." Blocked users cannot message you, view your profile, or see your listings. You can manage blocked users in Settings > Privacy & Safety.

Never send money outside the Cohabli platform or share financial information directly. Common red flags: requests for wire transfers, pressure to move quickly, prices too good to be true, refusing video calls. Report immediately if you suspect a scam.

Go to your Dashboard and click "Edit Profile" or navigate to Settings > Profile. You can update your photos, bio, preferences, and lifestyle information anytime. Keep your profile current for the best matching results.

Go to Settings > Security > Change Password. Enter your current password and your new password twice to confirm. For security, passwords must be at least 8 characters long.

We're sorry to see you go! Go to Settings > Account > Delete Account. You'll need to confirm your decision. Note: This action is permanent and will delete all your data, messages, and booking history. Active bookings must be resolved first.

Go to Settings > Notifications to customize what alerts you receive. You can control email notifications, push notifications, and SMS alerts separately. Choose to be notified about messages, matches, listing updates, and promotional offers.

No, each person may only have one Cohabli account. Multiple accounts violate our Terms of Service and may result in suspension. If you need to change your account type (seeker/lister), you can do so in Settings without creating a new account.