Why Can’t I Share My
Email or a Link Yet?
Short answer: you can — once you and the other person both vouch for each other. Here’s why Flathive holds contact details back at first, and how the two-way unlock works.
Moving off-platform is the first move in almost every scam
Almost every scam on a flat-sharing platform follows the same opening: get you talking somewhere Flathive can’t see. A personal email thread, a WhatsApp number, a link to a “deposit” page — once a conversation leaves the app, we can’t flag it, can’t warn you, and can’t act on a report if it goes wrong.
So every message is checked before it sends. Email addresses, phone numbers, links, and photo attachments are held back automatically in every new conversation — for everyone, with no exceptions and no judgement about who you’re talking to.
Genuine flatmates and landlords are almost always comfortable staying on Flathive until you’ve actually met or video-called. A stranger who pushes hard to move off-platform in the first few messages is exactly the pattern this filter exists to interrupt — see our full guide to rental scam red flags for more on how that pattern usually plays out.
Same message, before and after trust
The message still sends either way — only what happens to the email, link or photo inside it changes.
→ contact details held back automatically
→ sent exactly as written, nothing removed
Both people have to confirm — one tap alone does nothing
Either of you can tap “I trust this person” at any point. But a single tap changes nothing on its own — otherwise a scammer could just approve themselves to force the unlock. It only takes effect once both sides have confirmed.
You tap “I trust this person”
Nothing changes yet — the other person hasn't confirmed anything on their side. Emails, links and photos are still held back for both of you.
They tap it too
The moment both people have confirmed, the filter lifts — for this conversation only. Every other conversation you have stays filtered as normal.
Unlocked, both ways
Emails, links, photos and larger attachments now go through untouched, in both directions, for as long as you're both talking.
What unlocks
Email addresses
Links to listings or profiles
Screenshots & photos
Larger attachments
Mutual trust isn’t a reason to lower your guard
Trusting someone on Flathive means you’ve both chosen to talk more openly — it doesn’t guarantee who they are. It’s still worth meeting in person or video-calling before any money changes hands, exactly as you would off any platform. And the unlock is per conversation: trusting one person doesn’t change what’s filtered anywhere else on Flathive.
Want the full picture on staying safe while flatting? Read our guide to avoiding rental scams.
How Flathive helps
Flathive is Canada's peer-to-peer flatmate and shared housing platform. Whether you are listing a spare room or searching for your next home, Flathive makes it simple to connect, communicate, and move in safely — with verified profiles, direct messaging, and listings across the country.