Terms and Conditions – www.hounest.com
These Terms and Conditions govern the use of the platform www.hounest.com, operated by SC Season Arena SRL. Users are required to read and accept these terms before using the platform. The terms apply to three categories of users: Guests, Property Owners, and Affiliates. By accessing and using the platform, users confirm that they agree to all the provisions contained in this document.
1. Definitions
- Guest (User): A person who books accommodation for short-term or long-term stays through www.hounest.com.
- Property Owner: An individual or legal entity listing one or more properties for rent.
- Affiliate: An individual or company that promotes the platform and receives a commission for each property listed through their referrals.
- Platform: www.hounest.com, operated by SC Season Arena SRL, a company with its registered office in Turda, Romania.
2. General Rights and Obligations of the Platform
2.1 Platform Availability
The Hounest platform is available 24/7, but the administrator cannot guarantee continuous access due to maintenance, updates, or unforeseen factors. Any interruption of services cannot result in claims or damages to the company.
2.2 Platform Operation
Hounest acts as a passive intermediary between users (guests) and property owners, facilitating the listing and booking process for properties. The platform does not involve itself in the payment process and is not responsible for financial transactions between guests and property owners.
2.3 Financial Transactions and the Role of the Platform
Hounest.com offers a digital space for promoting real estate properties, allowing owners to list their properties for short- or long-term rentals and facilitating the booking process between them and guests. The platform acts as a passive intermediary in the booking process and does not participate in financial transactions.
All payments are made directly between the parties, and Hounest.com has no contractual obligations regarding the collection, management, or guarantee of the funds exchanged. As a result, the platform cannot be considered a hotel platform under applicable law unless it intermediates payments. Currently, Hounest.com only facilitates bookings and does not assume responsibility for any financial misunderstandings between the parties.
2.4 Errors and Malfunctions
The Hounest.com platform may experience errors, slow content loading, or technical malfunctions, or it may become unavailable for short or long periods. The administrator cannot be held liable for these issues, although our team will do everything possible to fix the errors and malfunctions in a timely manner. In this regard, users, property owners, and affiliates understand and accept that the platform may occasionally experience technical issues, and these do not constitute grounds for compensation or refunds.
3. Guests (Users)
3.1 Creating an Account and Personal Information
To make a booking, users must create an account on the platform, providing accurate and complete personal information. Users are responsible for the confidentiality of their account information.
3.2 Booking Properties
Users can book properties for short- or long-term stays, and payment will be made directly with the property owner.
3.3 Guest Rights and Obligations
Users must use the reserved property in accordance with the rules set by the owner and listed on the property page. Any damages caused to the rented property will be borne by the user. Users agree to use the platform legally and not violate any local, national, or international regulations.
4. Property Owners
4.1 Creating an Account and Purchasing Listing Packages
Property owners must purchase a listing package and create an account to make their property visible on the platform. Details regarding prices and conditions of the listing packages are displayed on the platform and may vary depending on the options selected.
4.2 Owner Responsibilities
Property owners are responsible for the accuracy and truthfulness of the information related to their listed property. The Hounest platform is not responsible for any false or inaccurate information provided by the property owner. Property owners must comply with all local laws, including tax regulations, health and safety standards, and any other legal obligations related to renting the property.
4.3 Refund Policy
Once a listing package is purchased, it is non-refundable. The purchase of a listing package is considered a fully rendered service once the listing is activated. Property owners cannot request refunds, even if they choose to withdraw their listing or stop using the services.
4.4 Commissions and Fees
The Hounest platform does not charge commissions on rentals made through the platform. Property owners only pay the listing package fee, whether annually or monthly, without any additional commissions. In addition to listing packages, owners can purchase paid promotional packages within the platform.
4.5 Rights over Content and Advertising Use
Hounest.com reserves the right to use photographs and descriptions of the properties listed on the platform for promotional and marketing purposes. This right includes, but is not limited to, the use of images and other content elements in advertising campaigns conducted on the platform itself or on third-party platforms such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or other digital marketing channels.
The use of these images may be carried out randomly, without prior notice to property owners, and without the obligation to promote all listed properties equally. It is understood that this practice aims to improve the overall visibility of the platform and does not imply favoritism or discrimination between listings. Property owners agree that the images and descriptions of their properties may be used in this manner upon their decision to publish the listing on Hounest.com.
Property owners who wish to exclude their content from these advertising campaigns may contact the platform to request such exclusion, in which case Hounest.com will review and process the request according to the legal terms and conditions established.
5. Affiliates
5.1 Affiliate Registration
Affiliates will receive a unique referral link to promote the Hounest platform, and they will receive commissions for every contribution made through their referrals.
5.2 Affiliate Commissions
Commissions will be clearly displayed in the affiliate’s dashboard and may vary from one affiliate to another. The platform reserves the right to adjust commissions based on performance and marketing strategies.
5.3 Limitation of Liability in the Event of Data Loss
In the case of a major technical error, such as data loss, cyberattacks, or platform shutdown by local authorities, Hounest cannot be held liable for the amounts accumulated in affiliates’ wallets or for the listing packages purchased by property owners.
6. Security Recommendations for All Users
All users of Hounest.com, including guests, property owners, affiliates, and other content contributors, are encouraged to adopt additional security measures to protect against potential cyber fraud and ensure a safe online experience. Below are some essential security practices:
Use a Secondary Payment Card: We recommend using a separate payment card dedicated to online transactions, different from your primary card used for other critical payments. This precaution helps minimize the risks associated with potential security breaches or fraud.
Verify the Security of Payment Platforms: Before completing any financial transactions, ensure that the payment platforms you are using are secure. Look for the HTTPS protocol and confirm that the platform uses encryption technologies to safeguard your sensitive data.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication: To enhance the security of your account and financial information, we advise activating two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. This adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a secondary verification method in addition to your password.
Monitor Your Transactions: Regularly review your payment and account activities for any suspicious or unauthorized transactions. Quick detection of unusual activities can help prevent further issues.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Be cautious when sharing personal details or financial information with other users. Always use secure communication channels when interacting with others on the platform.
7. Force Majeure
The administrator cannot be held responsible for any situations caused by force majeure, such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, political conflicts, or pandemics, which may affect the platform’s functionality. In such cases, the platform may temporarily or permanently suspend activity without offering compensation to users or property owners.
8. Dispute Resolution
Any dispute between platform users and Hounest will be resolved amicably. If an agreement is not reached, disputes will be settled by the competent courts of the respective country.
Legal Information: SC Season Arena SRL, registered office in Turda, Traian Street, no. 30B, Turda, Cluj County, Romania.
