Safety Center

    Professional, practical guidance for safer messaging, inspections, payments and shared-living decisions on Matesplace.

    Verify before you commit

    Compare profile details, listing photos, inspection notes, rent, bond, bills and lease paperwork before making any payment.

    Keep key conversations recorded

    Use Matesplace messaging while you are getting to know someone, and keep important agreements in writing for easier review.

    Pause and report red flags

    Pressure to pay quickly, refusal to inspect, inconsistent details, or requests to move off-platform early are reasons to slow down.

    Start here

    Choose what you need right now

    Jump to the most relevant safety step without reading the whole page.

    I feel unsafe nowContact emergency services first, then report the related profile or listing when safe.I'm checking a roomUse the inspection and household-fit checklist before you commit.I'm asked to payConfirm paperwork, payment details, rent, bond and bills before sending money.I need to reportSend details, screenshots and links to the trust & safety team.

    Safer rental checklist

    Top tips for staying safe

    • 1Use Matesplace messaging for early conversations before sharing personal contact details.
    • 2Inspect the room in person or by live video before sending money, and check that photos match the actual space.
    • 3Meet in daylight or a public place first when possible, and tell a friend where you are going.
    • 4Confirm rent, bond, bills, move-in date, house rules and lease paperwork in writing before committing.
    • 5Never ignore pressure tactics. If something feels wrong, stop, save screenshots and report the concern.

    Trust & safety

    Reporting a concern

    If you encounter suspicious behaviour, harassment, payment pressure, inaccurate listing details or another safety issue, use report buttons on listings or messages where available. You can also send urgent context directly to our trust & safety team using the form below.

    PNG, JPG, WEBP, or PDF up to 5MB.

    Our trust & safety team reviews every submission.

    What happens after you submit?

    • Your Safety Center submission is sent directly to the trust & safety team for review.
    • If you include an email address, we can follow up there if more detail is needed.
    • Reports filed from listings or message tools may also appear in report history when they create a tracked report record.
    Visit Help Center

    Before inspection

    Confirm the room and household

    • Inspect in person or by live video and confirm the room, address, common areas and included furniture.
    • Ask who lives there, who owns or manages the property, and what access or house rules apply.
    • Take notes on damage, keys, parking, pets, smoking, guests, cleaning and move-in condition.

    Before payment

    Slow down before sending money

    • Do not pay before you have inspected, verified the arrangement and received clear written terms.
    • Confirm rent, bond, bills, payment schedule, refund terms and whose account receives the money.
    • Be cautious with urgency, unusual payment methods, mismatched names or requests to bypass normal paperwork.

    Plan safer shared living

    Use these practical pages alongside safety checks when comparing rooms, prices, household fit and local context.

    Room rentalsFlatmatesGuide-only price checkerExplore suburb guidesSearch listings

    Have a room to list? List your room for free with clear rent, bills, photos and household details.

    Community reporting

    We rely on our community to report suspicious behaviour. Reports help our trust & safety team review concerns and respond appropriately. If there is immediate danger, contact local emergency services first, then report the related listing, message or profile when it is safe to do so.