2 min read · June 2026

How escrow protects your ₱2,500 — a 2-minute guide

What "escrow" actually means, how unidorms.ph holds your down payment until move-in, and what triggers a refund.

What escrow means here

When you reserve a dorm on unidorms.ph, your ₱2,500 down payment doesn’t go straight to the landlord. It’s held by the platform until both you and the landlord confirm move-in.
Only after the 24-hour fraud-protection window closes does the ₱2,500 settle. If you file a valid dispute in that window, you get the full amount back.

1. Reserve. You pay ₱2,500. Status: HOLDING. The unit goes off-market.
2. Move in. Both you and the landlord tap "Confirm move-in" on your dashboard. The 24-hour fraud window opens.
3. Inspect. Compare the unit to the listing. If anything material is wrong (denied access, wrong room, undisclosed damage), file a dispute.
4a. No dispute. After 24 hours your reservation settles. The ₱2,500 is credited toward your first month rent on the landlord’s ledger.
4b. Validated dispute. You get the full ₱2,500 refunded to your original payment method, typically within 5–7 business days.

The security deposit (typically 2 months) is paid directly to the host on move-in day — that money never enters our platform.
Subsequent monthly rent is arranged off-platform via post-dated checks or direct transfer.
"Changed my mind" cancellations after move-in. The 24-hour window is for fraud and misrepresentation, not buyer’s remorse.

On Facebook Marketplace, money sent to a stranger is gone the moment they receive it. The "trust me bro" model has produced thousands of reported student scams in Manila.
Escrow flips that — the landlord can’t touch the money until they’ve actually delivered the unit you booked.
It’s the same model Airbnb uses for accommodation worldwide. We just localized it for the Filipino student market.

Ready to find your dorm?

Every listing on unidorms.ph is KYC-verified and protected by our 24-hour move-in guarantee.