Built on accountability, not anonymity.
REI Runner is a marketplace, not an open gig board. Here's how we screen runners, protect your properties, and handle every situation that comes up on a task.
Our Trust Pillars
Vetted Runners
Every runner is reviewed by the REI Runner team before onboarding. Identity verification and optional background checks unlock higher-trust task tiers.
Secure Payments
Investors fund tasks up front through our regulated US payments partner. Runners are paid only after deliverables are approved.
Documented Tasks
Every task captures timestamped photos, notes, and a clear deliverable trail — so both sides have a record of what happened on-site.
Real Human Support
A US-based team monitors disputes, safety reports, and incident escalations. We respond — we don't auto-resolve through a bot.
How we vet every runner
Application Review
Every applicant is screened before being invited to onboard. We review experience, transportation, market coverage, and conduct red flags.
Identity Verification
Approved runners can complete government-ID verification to unlock more tasks and earn a verified badge on their profile.
Background Check Option
Optional third-party background checks are available for runners pursuing higher-trust tiers (lockbox installs, occupied property access, etc.).
Independent Contractor Agreement
Every runner signs a written IC agreement before working — covering scope of work, conduct, data handling, and indemnification.
Performance Tracking
Ratings, approval rates, response times, and dispute history are tracked. Runners who fall below quality thresholds are removed from the marketplace.
What every task actually produces
Property Photo Set
Standardized photo checklist so every set looks the same — no matter who shot it.
- 20+ geotagged exterior and interior photos
- Required angles: street view, all 4 elevations, roof line
- Interior: each room, mechanical, panel, water heater, kitchen, baths
- Timestamped and uploaded through the app — no email attachments
Walkthrough Video
Narrated video so you can scope the property without flying out.
- Continuous walkthrough, no jump cuts
- Runner narrates condition: floors, walls, plumbing, smells, damage
- Required exterior loop before entering
- HD vertical or horizontal, captioned summary at end
Occupancy Check Report
A written status you can act on, not a vague drive-by note.
- Status: Vacant · Occupied · Abandoned · Unable to verify
- Signals observed (mail, utilities, vehicles, blinds, debris)
- Photos of entrances, windows, posted notices
- Notes on neighbor conversations, if any (with consent)
Lockbox Install Proof
Documented install so you and your team can access the property cleanly.
- Photo of installed lockbox in agreed location
- Photo of access point (door, gate, post)
- Code delivered through the app, not text or email
- Confirmation that the code opens the box on the way out
Sample specs — investors can customize the checklist per task. Runners must meet the posted requirements before payment is released.
See Exactly What You Get Back
Every REI Runner task produces structured, timestamped deliverables inside the platform — not scattered text messages or random photo dumps. Investors can review photos, videos, notes, and completion details before approving the task.
Property Photo Set
A complete exterior and interior photo set for underwriting, rehab estimates, listings, or remote due diligence.
- Street view
- Front, rear, left, and right elevations
- Roofline and foundation
- Kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, mechanicals
- Visible damage or repair concerns
- Geotagged and timestamped uploads
Drive-By Report
A fast exterior condition check when an investor needs eyes on a property before making a decision.
- Curbside photos
- Exterior condition notes
- Occupancy indicators
- Neighborhood snapshot
- Access or safety concerns
- Timestamped completion record
Occupancy Check
A non-invasive field report to help determine whether a property appears vacant, occupied, abandoned, or unclear.
- Visible signs of occupancy
- Vehicles, mail, trash bins, lights, or curtains
- Exterior photos
- Written observations
- No tenant contact required
- Clear status label: Vacant / Occupied / Unclear
Walkthrough Video
A guided interior or exterior walkthrough video for investors who need more context than still photos.
- Continuous walkthrough video
- Narrated condition notes
- Exterior-to-interior flow when access is permitted
- Major room-by-room coverage
- Visible repair concerns
- Summary notes after upload
- Exterior: vinyl siding intact, 1 missing panel on north elevation.
- Roof: shingles uniform, no visible sagging or tarping.
- Windows: all intact, no boarding. Front storm door unlatched.
- Yard: mowed within ~2 weeks, no debris pile, no posted notices.
- Occupancy: mail not accumulated, blinds partially open — appears occupied.
Placeholder thumbnails — actual reports include full geotagged photo sets.
Property access & lockbox standards
- Runners may only access properties when explicitly authorized by the posting investor.
- Runners must never enter an occupied property without confirmed tenant permission.
- Lockbox codes are delivered task-by-task and expire after the task is completed.
- Runners must follow posted instructions, local laws, and any property-specific rules.
- All on-site photos and notes are tied to the runner's account and uploaded through the platform — never sent over personal channels.
What we expect from everyone on the platform
- Treat investors, runners, and support staff with respect at all times.
- Show up when you accept a task. Communicate early if plans change.
- Document the work honestly — no staged or misleading photos.
- Protect private information. Never share addresses, codes, or owner details outside REI Runner.
- Report any safety concern or rule violation through the in-app report flow.
What runners may not do
- ✕Enter occupied properties without authorization
- ✕Negotiate contracts on behalf of investors
- ✕Provide legal, real estate, or financial advice
- ✕Perform licensed inspections or appraisals
- ✕Misrepresent themselves as agents, brokers, or inspectors
- ✕Share lockbox codes, addresses, or investor details outside the platform
If something goes wrong on a task
Report it in-app
Use the Report a Problem flow on the task or profile. For emergencies, always call 911 first.
We investigate
Our support team reviews submissions, attachments, message history, and platform records within 1 business day.
We act
Outcomes range from a coaching warning to refunds, payout holds, profile suspension, or permanent removal from the marketplace.
You're updated
Both parties receive a written outcome and next steps. Serious incidents are escalated to law enforcement when appropriate.
For emergencies or threats to safety, always call 911 first. Then report the incident through REI Runner so we can preserve records and follow up.
Independent contractor disclosure
REI Runner is not a real estate brokerage, inspection company, appraisal company, property management company, or legal service. Runners perform non-licensed field tasks only.
How we handle your data
Investor property addresses are shared only with the runner assigned to a specific task — never broadcast to the network. Lockbox codes are delivered just-in-time and expire on completion.
Runner identity, background-check details, and payout information are never shown to investors. Only public profile fields (name, city/state, services, reviews) are surfaced on profiles.
Read our full Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Report a safety concern
If you've experienced or witnessed something on REI Runner that violates our policies, please report it. We read every message.