Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using Ndotoni ("the Platform"), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our services.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Ndotoni Rental Agency ("Ndotoni", "we", "us", or "our").

2. Description of Service

Ndotoni is an online platform that connects property owners (landlords) with people seeking rental accommodations (tenants) in Tanzania. We provide:

• Property listing and search functionality
• Messaging system for communication between users
• Booking and payment processing services
• User profiles, reviews, and ratings
• Property management tools for landlords
• Short-term and long-term rental options

Ndotoni acts as an intermediary platform and is not a party to rental agreements between landlords and tenants.

3. Eligibility and Account Registration

3.1 Eligibility

To use Ndotoni, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
• Not be prohibited from using the service under applicable laws
• Provide accurate and complete registration information

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access
• Ensuring your account information is accurate and up-to-date

4. User Responsibilities

4.1 For Landlords

As a landlord, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete property information
• Upload genuine, recent photos of your property
• Respond to inquiries in a timely and professional manner
• Honor confirmed bookings and rental agreements
• Comply with all local rental laws and regulations
• Maintain your property in a safe and habitable condition
• Disclose any known defects or issues with the property
• Not discriminate against tenants based on protected characteristics

4.2 For Tenants

As a tenant, you agree to:

• Provide accurate information in your inquiries and applications
• Respect the property and follow the landlord's rules
• Make rental payments on time
• Report any issues or damages promptly
• Use the property only for residential purposes (unless otherwise agreed)
• Not sublet the property without landlord's permission
• Leave the property in good condition at the end of tenancy

5. Prohibited Activities

You may not:

• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Harass, abuse, threaten, or harm other users
• Use the platform for any illegal activities
• Attempt to circumvent payment systems or fees
• Scrape, copy, or download content without permission
• Impersonate others or create fake accounts
• Spam or send unsolicited messages
• Upload malicious code or viruses
• Interfere with the platform's operation or security
• Use automated systems (bots) without authorization
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations

6. Payments and Fees

6.1 Service Fees

Ndotoni may charge fees for certain services, including but not limited to:

• Booking fees for short-term rentals
• Premium listing features for landlords
• Transaction processing fees

All fees will be clearly disclosed before you complete a transaction.

6.2 Payment Processing

Payments are processed securely through third-party providers (M-Pesa, etc.). You agree to:

• Provide accurate payment information
• Pay all amounts when due
• Comply with the payment provider's terms
• Be responsible for any payment processing fees

7. Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellation and refund policies are set by individual landlords for their properties. Please review the specific policy for each property before booking.

Ndotoni is not responsible for refunds but may assist in dispute resolution between landlords and tenants.

8. Content and Intellectual Property

8.1 Ndotoni's Content

All content on Ndotoni (logos, text, graphics, software, design) is owned by Ndotoni or its licensors and protected by intellectual property laws. You may not use our intellectual property without written permission.

8.2 User Content

You retain ownership of content you post (property listings, photos, reviews). By posting content, you grant Ndotoni a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your content on the platform.

You represent that you have the right to post your content and that it doesn't violate any third-party rights.

9. Reviews and Ratings

Users may leave reviews and ratings. Reviews must be:

• Based on genuine experiences
• Honest and factual
• Respectful and not defamatory
• Free from conflicts of interest

Ndotoni reserves the right to remove reviews that violate these guidelines.

10. Disclaimer of Warranties

Ndotoni is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not guarantee:

• Accuracy or completeness of property listings
• Availability of properties
• Quality or condition of accommodations
• Behavior or reliability of other users
• Uninterrupted or error-free service
• Security of data transmission

11. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Ndotoni shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits, revenue, or data
• Property damage or personal injury
• Disputes between landlords and tenants
• Unauthorized access to your account
• Errors or omissions in content
• Service interruptions or delays

Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid to Ndotoni in the 12 months preceding the claim.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Ndotoni, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from:

• Your use of the platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another party
• Your content or property listings

13. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account at any time if you:

• Violate these Terms
• Engage in fraudulent or illegal activities
• Harm other users or the platform
• Fail to pay fees when due

You may also delete your account at any time through account settings. Upon termination:

• Your access to the platform will be revoked
• Your listings will be removed
• Outstanding obligations remain in effect
• Certain provisions of these Terms survive termination

14. Dispute Resolution

If you have a dispute with another user, you agree to resolve it directly with that user. Ndotoni may provide assistance but is not obligated to do so.

For disputes with Ndotoni, you agree to first attempt informal resolution by contacting us at info@ndotoni.com.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Tanzania.

16. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes via email or a prominent notice on the platform. Your continued use of Ndotoni after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Ndotoni regarding the use of our platform.

19. Business Information

Ndotoni is a legally registered business in Tanzania, operating with full compliance to local regulations and business standards.

20. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms: