Guest Inquiries (Submit an Inquiry Button)

Every Haven listing has a Submit an Inquiry button next to the main booking button. It is always there, whether the listing uses Instant Book or Request to book. Guests who aren't ready to book can pick their dates and send you a question first. No payment is taken and no dates are held.

So guests always have two paths on your listing:

The booking button, which follows your booking setting: Book now (Instant Book) or Request booking (Request to book)
Submit an Inquiry, which sends you a message about their dates

You choose Instant Book or Request to book for each listing. The inquiry button is not a third setting. It sits beside whichever mode you pick.

When Guests Use an Inquiry

They have a question before booking (parking, pets, early check-in, a group or event)
They want to check whether you'll consider dates that don't fit your stay rules
They want a quote or a discount before paying
Your listing is on Instant Book, but they would rather talk to you first

What the Guest Sees

On your listing, the guest picks check-in and check-out dates and the number of guests. The inquiry button asks for dates first so you know when they want to stay.
They click Submit an Inquiry (on the booking card the button reads Inquire).
They write their message and send it.
Haven confirms the message reached you. There is no checkout and no charge.

What Happens on Your Side

You're notified. The inquiry arrives by email at your notification addresses and shows up as a thread under Communication with the guest's dates and party size.
Nothing is booked. The dates stay open. Inquiries never hold dates, even if you turned on holding dates for pending requests.
It never expires. Auto-expire only cancels booking requests, never inquiries.

How to Respond to an Inquiry

Open the thread in Communication and choose one:

Reply. Answer the question. The guest can then book through your normal booking button.
Pre-approve. Haven emails the guest an invitation to complete the booking for those dates. Use this when you're happy to host them and want them to finish checkout themselves, including on a Request to book listing.
Send payment link. Hold the nights and send the guest a link to pay, with the dates and price you choose. See Send a Payment Link.

There's no penalty for not accepting an inquiry. See Your property, your rules.

Instant Book, Request to Book, and Inquiries Together

Guest action	Payment	Dates held	Your step
Book now (Instant)	Charged at checkout	Yes, once paid	None
Request booking	After you approve	Only if you hold dates for requests	Approve or decline
Submit an Inquiry	None	No	Reply, pre-approve, or send a payment link

A listing set to Instant Book still takes inquiries. A listing set to Request to book still takes inquiries. If you want guests to be able to book on the spot and ask questions first, use Instant Book: the inquiry button covers the guests who want to talk to you first.