Terms and Conditions

Welcome to HMO Reporter (“we,” “us,” or “our“). These Terms and Conditions (“Terms“) govern your access to and use of our website [www.hmoreporter.co.uk] (the “Site“) and any related services (collectively, the “Services“). By accessing or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use our Services.

1. Introduction

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and HMO Reporter, a company based in London, United Kingdom, regarding your use of the Services. Please read them carefully.

2. Definitions

  • “User” or “you”: Any individual or entity accessing or using our Services, including estate agents and landlords.
  • “Content”: Any information, text, images, videos, or other materials uploaded, downloaded, or appearing on the Services.
  • “Listing”: Any property advertisement or related information posted on the Site.

3. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using our Services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

4. Eligibility

  • Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to use our Services.
  • Compliance: You represent and warrant that your use of the Services complies with all applicable laws and regulations of the United Kingdom.

5. User Accounts

5.1 Registration

  • Account Creation: To access certain features, such as posting property Listings, you must register and create an account.
  • Information Accuracy: You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update such information to keep it accurate and complete.

5.2 Account Security

  • Password Protection: You are responsible for safeguarding your password and any activities or actions under your account.
  • Unauthorized Access: Notify us immediately at support@hmoreporter.co.uk of any unauthorized use of your account.

6. User Conduct

6.1 Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

  • Violate Laws: Engage in any activity that violates any applicable laws or regulations, including property and housing regulations.
  • Misrepresentation: Post false, misleading, or deceptive Content or Listings.
  • Infringe Rights: Infringe upon any intellectual property or other proprietary rights of third parties.
  • Disrupt Services: Distribute viruses or any other harmful technologies that may harm the Services or the interests of other Users.
  • Unauthorized Access: Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or networks.

6.2 User Responsibilities

  • Professional Conduct: Estate agents and landlords must conduct themselves professionally and ethically in all interactions.
  • Compliance: Ensure that your actions comply with these Terms and all applicable UK laws and regulations.

7. Property Listings and Content

7.1 Accuracy and Compliance

  • User Responsibility: You are solely responsible for the accuracy, legality, and completeness of the Listings and Content you post.
  • Regulatory Compliance: All Listings must comply with UK property laws, including but not limited to the Housing Act 2004 and regulations pertaining to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
  • Advertising Standards: Listings must adhere to the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) guidelines.

7.2 Intellectual Property Rights

  • Your Content: You retain ownership of any Content you submit but grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, modify, and display such Content in connection with the Services.
  • Permissions: You must have the necessary rights and permissions to post any Content, including images and descriptions.

7.3 Monitoring and Removal

  • Right to Remove: We reserve the right to review, edit, or remove any Content or Listings that violate these Terms or applicable laws.
  • No Obligation: While we may monitor Content, we are not obligated to do so.

8. Fees and Payments

8.1 Service Fees

  • Listing Fees: We may charge fees for posting property Listings or accessing premium features. Details of applicable fees are provided on the Site.
  • Changes to Fees: We reserve the right to change our fees at any time. Changes will be posted on the Site and will not affect fees for services previously purchased.

8.2 Payment Terms

  • Payment Methods: Acceptable payment methods include credit/debit cards and other methods as specified during the transaction process.
  • Refund Policy: Fees are non-refundable unless expressly stated otherwise in writing.

8.3 Taxes

  • User Responsibility: You are responsible for any applicable taxes associated with your use of the Services.

9. Intellectual Property Rights

9.1 Our Content

  • Ownership: All Content provided by us, including the Site design, text, graphics, and logos, is owned by us or our licensors and is protected under UK copyright laws.
  • Limited Licence: We grant you a limited, non-transferable licence to access and use the Site for personal, non-commercial purposes.

9.2 Restrictions

  • No Reproduction: You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from our Content without our express written permission.

10. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

10.1 Disclaimers

  • As-Is Basis: The Services are provided on an “as-is” and “as-available” basis without warranties of any kind.
  • No Warranty: We make no warranties or representations about the accuracy or completeness of the Site’s Content or the Content of any sites linked to this Site.

10.2 Limitation of Liability

  • Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages arising from your use of the Services.
  • Maximum Liability: Our total liability to you for any claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Services shall not exceed the amount paid by you, if any, for accessing the Services.

10.3 Indemnification

  • Your Agreement: You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless HMO Reporter, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses arising out of your use of the Services or violation of these Terms.

11. Third-Party Links and Services

11.1 Links to Other Websites

  • No Endorsement: The Site may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by us. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites.

11.2 Interactions with Third Parties

  • User Responsibility: Any dealings with third parties, including estate agents or landlords found on or through the Services, are solely between you and such third parties.

12. Termination

12.1 By Us

  • Termination Rights: We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time, without notice, for any reason, including if we believe you have violated these Terms.

12.2 By You

12.3 Effects of Termination

  • Access Revocation: Upon termination, your right to use the Services will immediately cease.
  • Survival of Terms: Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity, and limitations of liability.

13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

13.1 Governing Law

  • Jurisdiction: These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

13.2 Dispute Resolution

  • Negotiation: In the event of any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms, the parties agree to attempt to resolve the dispute through negotiation in good faith.
  • Mediation: If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation, the parties agree to refer the matter to mediation in accordance with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) Model Mediation Procedure.
  • Litigation: If the dispute is not settled by mediation within 30 days of commencement, it shall be referred to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

14. Changes to Terms

14.1 Modification

  • Right to Change: We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time.
  • Notice of Changes: Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting on the Site. We will update the “Effective Date” at the top of these Terms when changes are made.
  • Acceptance of Changes: Your continued use of the Services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.

15. Miscellaneous

15.1 Entire Agreement

  • Complete Terms: These Terms, along with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and HMO Reporter regarding the use of the Services.

15.2 Severability

  • Invalid Provisions: If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be struck, and the remaining provisions shall be enforced.

15.3 No Waiver

  • Enforcement: Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights.

15.4 Assignment

  • Transfer of Rights: You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights without restriction.

16. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about these Terms, please contact us: