Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Stayza ("Platform", "we", "us", or "our"). By accessing or using the Stayza platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use our services.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Stayza. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time, and your continued use of the Platform after such modifications constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Definitions

• "Platform" refers to the Stayza website, mobile applications, and all related services.
• "Realtor" refers to property owners or managers who list properties on the Platform.
• "Guest" refers to users who book properties through the Platform.
• "Listing" refers to a property advertised for rental on the Platform.
• "Booking" refers to a confirmed reservation made by a Guest for a Listing.
• "Escrow" refers to the secure holding of payment funds until booking completion.

3. Eligibility and Account Registration

To use the Platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintain the security of your account credentials and be responsible for all activities under your account

You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or engage in fraudulent activity.

4. Services Provided

Stayza provides an online marketplace connecting Realtors with Guests for short-term property rentals. Our services include:

• Property listing and discovery tools
• Booking and payment processing
• Escrow payment protection
• Review and rating systems
• Communication tools between Realtors and Guests
• Dispute resolution assistance
• Multi-tenant custom subdomain websites for Realtors

Stayza acts as an intermediary and is not a party to the rental agreement between Realtors and Guests. We do not own, operate, or control any properties listed on the Platform.

5. Realtor Obligations

As a Realtor, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information about your properties
• Maintain your properties in safe and habitable condition
• Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and local ordinances
• Respond promptly to booking requests and Guest inquiries
• Honor confirmed bookings and provide agreed-upon services
• Maintain liability insurance for your properties (recommended)
• Complete CAC verification for business legitimacy
• Update property availability calendars to reflect accurate availability

6. Guest Obligations

As a Guest, you agree to:

• Treat properties with respect and leave them in good condition
• Comply with house rules and property-specific policies
• Pay all fees associated with your booking in a timely manner
• Report any issues or damages to the Realtor and Stayza promptly
• Use properties only for their intended purpose and comply with maximum occupancy limits
• Not engage in illegal activities or disturb neighbors

7. Bookings and Payments

When you make a booking:

• You authorize Stayza to charge the full booking amount to your payment method
• Payment is processed through our secure payment gateway (Paystack)
• Funds are held in escrow until the booking is completed
• A platform commission is deducted before payment to the Realtor
• You are responsible for all charges, including taxes and fees

All payments are final and non-refundable except as outlined in our Cancellation Policy (Section 8).

8. Cancellations and Refunds

Guest Cancellations:

• Cancellations made 48+ hours before check-in: Full refund minus processing fees
• Cancellations made 24-48 hours before check-in: 50% refund
• Cancellations made less than 24 hours before check-in: No refund

Realtor Cancellations:

If a Realtor cancels a confirmed booking, the Guest receives a full refund, and the Realtor may face penalties including account suspension.

Refunds are processed within 5-10 business days to the original payment method.

9. Escrow and Payment Protection

Stayza uses an escrow system to protect both Guests and Realtors:

• Funds are held securely until the Guest checks in successfully
• Realtors receive payment after the booking period begins
• Disputed funds are held pending resolution of the dispute
• Stayza may hold funds for up to 14 days after check-out to address potential issues

10. Platform Fees and Commission

Stayza charges the following fees:

• Realtor Commission: A percentage of each booking is deducted as platform commission (amount varies by platform settings)
• Payment Processing Fee: Paystack transaction fees apply to all payments
• Cancellation Fee: A small processing fee may apply to refunds

All fees are clearly displayed before booking confirmation. We reserve the right to modify our fee structure with 30 days' notice.

11. User-Generated Content

By posting content on the Platform (including property listings, photos, reviews, and messages), you grant Stayza a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute such content.

You represent that:

• You own or have permission to use all content you post
• Your content does not violate any third-party rights or applicable laws
• Your content is accurate, not misleading, and not defamatory

12. Prohibited Activities

You may not:

• Use the Platform for illegal purposes or to facilitate illegal activities
• Circumvent the Platform by completing transactions outside of Stayza
• Create fake accounts, listings, or reviews
• Scrape, data mine, or use automated tools to access the Platform
• Harass, threaten, or discriminate against other users
• Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Impersonate Stayza staff, other users, or entities

13. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, STAYZA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

• Indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• Property damage, personal injury, or death arising from property stays
• Disputes between Realtors and Guests
• Acts or omissions of third-party service providers (e.g., payment processors)

Our total liability shall not exceed the fees paid by you in the 12 months preceding the claim.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Stayza, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from: (a) your use of the Platform; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any third-party rights; or (d) your content posted on the Platform.

15. Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent or suspicious activity
• Multiple cancellations or poor performance (Realtors)
• Abuse of the Platform or other users
• Non-payment of fees

You may close your account at any time through your account settings. Upon termination, you remain liable for any outstanding obligations.

16. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute:

1. First, contact our support team to attempt informal resolution
2. If unresolved, disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration under Nigerian law
3. Arbitration shall be conducted in Lagos, Nigeria, unless otherwise agreed
4. You waive your right to participate in class action lawsuits

17. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email or Platform notification at least 30 days before taking effect. Your continued use of the Platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

18. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, please contact us: