Security Deposit Deadlines and Release Timing

There are three different timelines when managing a security deposit. Do not use one as proof of another.

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Use the provider-confirmed authorization deadline

The actual window depends on the provider, payment method, transaction type and merchant eligibility. Once authorization is confirmed, PayRequest stores the provider deadline where available and shows it in deposit details. Check that deadline before committing to a booking or deciding when to inspect a rental. If the deadline is absent or the provider check fails, verify the reservation before promising the customer a particular hold period.

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Stripe

For online card authorizations, standard windows are often around seven days, with exceptions by transaction type and market. The exact deadline comes from the authorized charge. See Stripe’s authorization windows. PayRequest requests extended authorization when available. Availability and the resulting deadline depend on Stripe’s eligibility rules and the connected account; selecting a longer product duration does not enable it. See Stripe’s extended authorization documentation. An existing Stripe hold cannot be extended in place. For new deposits with prior customer consent, Business can request a replacement authorization near expiry using the saved card. Bank approval is required and the replacement must fit within 30 days of the first authorization; see Stripe deposit renewal. The current Stripe capture flow also makes one final capture: charging part releases the unused amount. Do not plan a second charge from that same reservation. Use Check linked authorization for a tracked deposit or Check Stripe in the Stripe reservations overview to verify the latest records. A missing or incomplete search result does not prove there are no holds.

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Mollie

Mollie’s authorization expiry depends on the payment method. PayRequest uses the returned capture deadline where available. Check the actual authorized payment rather than relying on a card-brand estimate selected before checkout. The payment methods Mollie supports in general may differ from those offered by PayRequest’s deposit checkout. Do not assume that every method described by Mollie is selectable in your deposit flow. See Mollie’s explanation of authorization holds.

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Direct PayPal

PayPal separates its overall authorization period from an initial honor period. Its documentation describes a 29-day authorization period and a three-day initial honor period; later capture depends on availability and PayPal’s rules. Reauthorization has its own eligibility and timing requirements. See PayPal authorization and honor periods. PayRequest has scheduled reauthorization handling for eligible direct PayPal deposits. A scheduled attempt does not guarantee success or an uninterrupted reservation. Check the latest result and displayed deadline; investigate a failed reauthorization rather than assuming funds remain available.

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An expired checkout is not an expired hold

A customer can have used a different link or an earlier attempt. Before asking them to authorize again, check the exact provider records and whether another reservation exists. For the same tracked Stripe request, PayRequest reuses an existing open session. An uncertain provider response or an ended session blocks a new authorization start until it has been reviewed. Contact support if the request cannot continue; do not create a replacement to work around that check.

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When an actual authorization expires

An expired authorization cannot be captured. Provider confirmation and synchronization determine when the application reflects the result. For Stripe, PayRequest requires confirmation that the authorization is canceled with no remaining reserved or charged amount before marking an authorized deposit expired automatically. If the business still needs a deposit, review the old provider records first and arrange any new request separately with the customer. If a charge is due after expiry, an expired hold itself cannot be used to collect it.

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After a confirmed release

The provider’s confirmation and the bank’s customer-facing display can update at different times. A bank may continue showing a pending reservation for several days. Do not promise that all banks will remove it within a fixed number of business days. A release of uncaptured funds is not a refund: the pending reservation may simply disappear rather than appear as an incoming credit. Previously charged amounts require separate refund handling. Give the customer the released amount, date and time with timezone, and payment reference if their bank needs to investigate. If they report two holds, investigate both references before describing the second entry as ordinary processing.