Terms and Conditions

1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.1 Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions:

• "Agreement" means these Terms and Conditions, including the Privacy Policy and Data Policy incorporated by reference
• "Platform" means the RentFusion website, mobile application, WhatsApp chatbot, API, and all related services
• "RentFusion," "We," "Us," "Our" refers to the platform operator and technology provider
• "User," "You," "Your" refers to any person or entity accessing or using the Platform
• "Property Owner" or "Landlord" means any natural person or legal entity listing property for rental purposes
• "Tenant" or "Prospective Tenant" means any individual seeking to rent residential or commercial property
• "Listing" means a property advertisement, including all associated text, images, videos, and metadata
• "Content" means any information, data, text, photographs, videos, graphics, or other materials uploaded to the Platform
• "Lease Agreement" means any rental contract, tenancy agreement, or legally binding arrangement between Property Owner and Tenant
• "Rental Transaction" means the entire process of property viewing, negotiation, agreement execution, and tenancy establishment

1.2 Interpretation

• Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation
• References to "including" or "includes" are not limiting
• Singular includes plural and vice versa
• Reference to any statute includes amendments and re-enactments

2. NATURE OF SERVICE - MATCHING PLATFORM ONLY

2.1 Platform Function

RentFusion operates exclusively as an intermediary technology platform that:

• Facilitates introductions and connections between Property Owners and Prospective Tenants
• Provides search, discovery, and filtering tools for property listings
• Enables WhatsApp-based communication via automated chatbot
• Displays property information, multimedia content, and rental terms
• Delivers notifications, alerts, and property recommendations

2.2 What We Are NOT

2.3 Independent Transactions

All rental transactions occur directly between Property Owners and Tenants. RentFusion:

• Does NOT negotiate rental terms, lease clauses, or pricing
• Does NOT draft, review, or execute lease agreements
• Does NOT conduct property viewings, inspections, or walkthroughs
• Does NOT collect rent, security deposits, or any rental payments
• Does NOT verify property condition, habitability, or legal compliance
• Does NOT guarantee property availability, accuracy of listings, or tenant suitability

3. USER ELIGIBILITY AND REGISTRATION

3.1 Eligibility Requirements

To use the Platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and have legal capacity to contract
• Provide accurate, complete, and truthful registration information
• Have a valid phone number with WhatsApp capability
• Not be prohibited from using the Platform under applicable laws
• Not have been previously banned or suspended from the Platform

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• All activities occurring under your account
• Immediately notifying us of unauthorized access or security breaches
• Ensuring your contact information remains current and accurate

3.3 Prohibited Users

The following individuals may not use the Platform:

• Persons convicted of fraud, theft, or property-related crimes
• Entities engaged in illegal rental schemes or housing scams
• Individuals under legal restraint or court-ordered restrictions
• Persons who have violated these Terms in the past

4. PROPERTY OWNER OBLIGATIONS AND WARRANTIES

4.1 Authority to List

Property Owners represent and warrant that they:

• Have legal ownership or express written authorization to list the property
• Possess clear and marketable title, or valid lease/sublease rights
• Are authorized to negotiate and execute lease agreements
• Have obtained all necessary approvals from co-owners, mortgagees, or HOAs
• Are not listing properties subject to foreclosure, lien, or legal dispute

4.2 Listing Accuracy and Truthfulness

Property Owners MUST:

• Provide accurate, complete, and truthful property information
• Disclose all material defects, property conditions, and legal restrictions
• Post recent, unaltered photographs and videos representing actual property condition
• State accurate rental prices, availability dates, lease terms, and deposit requirements
• Update listings immediately when property status changes (rented, withdrawn, price change)
• Disclose neighborhood issues, noise concerns, pest problems, or structural defects
• Identify all included amenities, utilities, appliances, and furnishings

4.3 Legal Compliance

Property Owners must comply with:

• All local, municipal, provincial, and national housing regulations
• Zoning laws, building codes, and occupancy restrictions
• Fair housing laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion, gender, family status, disability, or national origin
• Lead paint disclosure requirements (if applicable)
• Landlord-tenant statutes governing security deposits, lease terms, and eviction procedures
• Tax reporting and business licensing requirements

4.4 Prohibited Property Listings

Property Owners may NOT list properties that:

• Are illegal dwellings, unpermitted structures, or code-violating units
• Require upfront "viewing fees" or "inspection payments" before showing
• Are subject to ongoing litigation, foreclosure, or title disputes
• Have been condemned, declared uninhabitable, or lack certificates of occupancy
• Are advertised for illegal purposes (drug production, prostitution, unlicensed businesses)
• Contain false information, stock photos, or images of different properties

5. TENANT OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 Honest Representation

Prospective Tenants must:

• Provide accurate information regarding income, employment, rental history, and household composition
• Disclose any eviction history, criminal records, or credit issues if requested
• Not misrepresent financial ability to pay rent or intention to comply with lease terms
• Provide truthful references from previous landlords and employers

5.2 Due Diligence Obligation

TENANTS MUST CONDUCT THEIR OWN DUE DILIGENCE:

• Physically inspect properties before signing any lease agreement
• Verify property condition, neighborhood safety, and proximity to amenities
• Confirm Property Owner's identity and legal authority to lease
• Review all lease terms with legal counsel if necessary
• Verify utilities, appliances, and amenities are functional
• Obtain written documentation of pre-existing damage and defects
• Confirm rental price matches advertised amount with no hidden fees

5.3 Anti-Fraud Vigilance

6. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

6.1 General Prohibitions

Users may NOT:

• Post false, misleading, fraudulent, or deceptive content
• Impersonate another person, entity, or RentFusion representative
• Harass, threaten, stalk, or abuse other users
• Scrape, crawl, or data mine the Platform using automated tools
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or hack the Platform
• Upload viruses, malware, or malicious code
• Engage in spamming, phishing, or unsolicited marketing
• Violate intellectual property rights of RentFusion or third parties
• Circumvent security measures or access restrictions
• Create multiple accounts to evade bans or manipulate listings

6.2 Prohibited Property-Related Conduct

• Listing properties without legal authority or ownership
• Advertising fake, non-existent, or already-rented properties
• Demanding illegal upfront fees, "viewing charges," or advance payments
• Engaging in discriminatory practices violating fair housing laws
• Using the Platform for mortgage fraud, money laundering, or illegal activities
• Posting sexually explicit, violent, or offensive content
• Interfering with other users' property searches or transactions

7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

7.1 RentFusion Ownership

RentFusion owns all rights, title, and interest in:

• The Platform software, code, architecture, and algorithms
• The "RentFusion" trademark, logo, branding, and design elements
• Proprietary matching algorithms, recommendation engines, and chatbot AI
• Platform documentation, user guides, and marketing materials

7.2 User Content License

By uploading Content to the Platform, you grant RentFusion a:

• Worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, transferable license to:
• Display, reproduce, distribute, and promote your property listings
• Use property images, videos, and descriptions for marketing purposes
• Create derivative works (thumbnails, compressed videos, optimized images)
• Share listings with third-party advertising platforms (with your consent)

You retain ownership of your Content but grant us rights necessary to operate the Platform.

7.3 User Representations

By uploading Content, you represent and warrant that:

• You own all rights to the Content or have obtained necessary permissions
• The Content does not infringe third-party copyrights, trademarks, or privacy rights
• You have obtained consent from persons depicted in photographs or videos
• The Content complies with all applicable laws and these Terms

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY - CRITICAL DISCLAIMERS

9. INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless RentFusion, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors from any and all:

• Claims, lawsuits, demands, or legal proceedings
• Losses, damages, liabilities, judgments, settlements, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees)

Arising from or related to:

• Your use or misuse of the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms or applicable laws
• Your Content, listings, or communications
• Your rental transactions, lease agreements, or disputes with other users
• Your infringement of third-party rights (intellectual property, privacy, publicity)
• Your fraud, negligence, willful misconduct, or illegal activity

10. DISPUTE RESOLUTION BETWEEN USERS

10.1 User-to-User Disputes

RentFusion is NOT responsible for resolving disputes between Property Owners and Tenants, including:

• Lease agreement disputes, rental terms, or payment disagreements
• Property condition disputes, maintenance issues, or damage claims
• Security deposit disputes, deductions, or refund delays
• Eviction proceedings, unlawful detainer actions, or holdover tenancies
• Noise complaints, neighbor disputes, or lease violations

10.2 Dispute Resolution Mechanisms

Users are encouraged to:

• Negotiate disputes directly in good faith
• Seek mediation through qualified housing mediators
• Consult legal counsel specializing in landlord-tenant law
• Utilize small claims court or civil litigation as appropriate

10.3 RentFusion May Remove Listings

We reserve the right to remove listings or suspend accounts if we receive credible evidence of:

• Fraudulent activity, scams, or Terms violations
• Repeated user complaints or dispute patterns
• Legal violations or court orders

Such actions do not constitute admission of liability or involvement in the underlying dispute.

11. PLATFORM MODIFICATIONS AND TERMINATION

11.1 Right to Modify

RentFusion reserves the right to:

• Modify, suspend, or discontinue any Platform feature at any time
• Change pricing, subscription plans, or access restrictions
• Update algorithms, search functionality, or matching criteria
• Introduce new features or retire legacy functionality

We will provide reasonable notice of material changes but are not liable for any impact on your use.

11.2 Account Suspension and Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately without prior notice if:

• You violate these Terms, Privacy Policy, or Data Policy
• You engage in fraudulent, illegal, or harmful conduct
• Your account is subject to legal process or government order
• We determine your actions pose security or reputational risks
• You remain inactive for more than 24 months

11.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your access to the Platform is immediately revoked
• Active listings are removed within 24 hours
• Data is handled according to our Privacy Policy retention schedule
• You remain liable for obligations incurred before termination
• Sections surviving termination: Indemnification, Limitation of Liability, Dispute Resolution, Governing Law

12. ARBITRATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (PLATFORM DISPUTES)

12.1 Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute between you and RentFusion arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be resolved through binding arbitration, not court litigation, except as noted below.

12.2 Arbitration Process

• Arbitration shall be conducted under the rules of the Arbitration Centre of Zimbabwe (ACZ) or UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules
• Arbitration shall occur in Harare, Zimbabwe
• The arbitrator's decision is final and binding
• Each party bears their own costs unless the arbitrator awards costs to the prevailing party

12.3 Exceptions to Arbitration

The following disputes may be litigated in court:

• Intellectual property infringement claims
• Injunctive relief to prevent irreparable harm
• Small claims court matters within jurisdictional limits

12.4 Class Action Waiver

You agree to bring claims against RentFusion only in your individual capacity, not as part of a class action, consolidated action, or representative proceeding.

13. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Zimbabwe, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any litigation permitted under these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Harare, Zimbabwe.

14. FORCE MAJEURE

RentFusion is not liable for delays or failures in performance caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including:

• Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, pandemics)
• War, terrorism, civil unrest, government actions
• Internet service provider failures, power outages, telecommunications disruptions
• Cyberattacks, DDoS attacks, ransomware incidents
• Labor strikes, supplier failures, material shortages

15. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable.

16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and Data Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and RentFusion regarding the Platform. They supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and communications.

17. NO WAIVER

RentFusion's failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or our right to enforce it in the future.

18. ASSIGNMENT

You may not assign or transfer your rights under these Terms without our written consent. RentFusion may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

19. NOTICES

Legal notices to RentFusion must be sent to the contact information below. We may provide notices to you via:

• Email to your registered address
• WhatsApp message to your registered number
• Prominent notice on the Platform
• In-app notification

20. UPDATES TO TERMS

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated with at least 30 days' notice. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. If you disagree with changes, you must cease using the Platform and terminate your account.