Registration terms and conditions  Last updated: 12 July 2016

 

1. Our Introduction  - Welcome to StayHomeAway.com World!

 

1.1 StayHomeAway (as defined below) is operated by StayHomeAway Ltd in the United Kingdom and the the United States. StayHomeAway Group (as defined below) provides an on-line platform and various tools, services, and functions which enable vacation property owners to list  and advertise property and for travellers to book such property (together the “Services”).  Services are provided via country specific URL’s, including, in the United Kingdom, USA and also via mobile applications (for mobile phone, tablet and other devices or interfaces) (collectively, the "Site"). The operations of StayHomeAway in Europe are managed by StayHomeAway Ltd of International House,  StayHomeAway Ltd  of  20 22 Wenlock Road, London. N1 7GU,  (“StayHomeAway” “we” “our” “us”).  For the purposes of convenience of definition (but not otherwise) where we use the term “StayHomeAway Group” in these terms and conditions we are referring to StayHomeAway Ltd., its affiliates and subsidiaries, including StayHomeAway.com and .co.uk

1.2 These terms and conditions (the “Traveller Ts&Cs”) together with the Privacy Policy  govern the relationship between StayHomeAway and any individual using or accessing the Site and any of the content or services available through it as a traveller or potential traveller, and who is not using it in his/her/its capacity as a property owner or property manager (each, a “Traveller” or “you”). Travellers include people who use the Site to access information about and to book properties, whether for business or leisure purposes, from property owners or property managers.

1.3 The Traveller Ts&Cs constitute a legally binding agreement between StayHomeAway and the Traveller.By using or accessing our webSite or StayHomeAway’s platforms or systems, you acknowledge that you agree to and are subject to the Traveller Ts&Cs, as well as our Privacy Policy, on behalf of yourself and all persons named on your booking. A user’s booking through or use of a StayHomeAway website is governed by the terms and conditions on the StayHomeAway site through which the booking is finalised (and not necessarily the StayHomeAway site on which the Property was originally listed).  If there are any conflicts between the terms and conditions of the StayHomeAway site you found the Property on and the terms and conditions of the StayHomeAway site you finalise a booking through, the terms and conditions of the StayHomeAway site where the booking is finalised will govern and prevail. If you do not fully agree to the Traveller Ts&Cs, you are not authorised to access or otherwise use the Site.

1.4 StayHomeAway does not authorise anyone to register with this Site unless they are able to enter into legally binding contracts.

1.5 StayHomeAway may revise these Traveller Ts&Cs at any time by posting an updated version to this web page.  You should visit this page periodically to view the most current Traveller Ts&Cs because they are binding on you.



2. The Basics

2.1 This Site is a place where Travellers can view listings of, and obtain information about, properties offered for rent (“Properties”) by others, including property owners, lessees and managers, (each, an “Owner” and collectively with a Traveller, the “users”). We may also offer other tools or services to allow users to communicate with each other and to enter into rental agreements or other transactions with each other.

2.2 The Site acts only as a venue for users to interact with each other.  StayHomeAway is not, and does not become, a party to any contractual relationship between the Traveller and the Owner, and does not mediate between the Traveller and the Owner in the event of any dispute arising between them. This is true even if the Site facilitates a booking for a Property or the use of other tools, services or products, as StayHomeAway is not a party to any rental or other agreement between Travellers and Owners.

2.3 Travellers are responsible for, and agree to abide by, all laws, rules and regulations applicable to their use of the Site, their use of any tool, service or product offered on the Site and any transaction they enter into either on the Site or in connection with their use of the Site. Travellers should please note that Owners are responsible for and agree to abide by all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the listing and rental of their Property and the conduct of their rental property business. Please be aware that, even though we are not a party to any rental transaction and assume no liability for legal or regulatory compliance pertaining to any Property Listed on the Site, there may be circumstances where we are nevertheless obligated (as we may determine in our sole discretion) to provide information relating to any listing in order to comply with governmental or regulatory bodies  investigations, litigation or administrative proceedings, and we may choose to comply with or disregard such obligation in our sole discretion.

2.4 StayHomeAway will charge a service fee payable by Travellers who book a Property on the Site via the Site checkout. The service fee covers the use of the Site, including such features as 24/7 support, and is calculated as a percentage of the total rental amount (which may or may not include additional fees, taxes, and damage deposits charged by the Owner). Depending on the laws of the jurisdiction of the Traveller and/or Owner, VAT or any other equivalent indirect taxes that are applicable under local law (“Taxes”) may be charged on top of the service fee and generally the applicable rate will be based on the Traveller’s declared location (where this is accurate). The specific service fee, plus any Taxes charged will be displayed to Travellers at the time of booking and will be charged after the Owner accepts the booking made by the Traveller. Traveller agrees not to avoid or circumvent the service fee charged by HomeAway.

2.5 If the Traveller is VAT registered in a country which is an EU member state, it must provide StayHomeAway with the valid VAT number. This number has to be validated by VIES http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/. StayHomeAway will then apply reverse charge mechanism to the Traveller, under Art. 196 of Directive 2006/112/EC relating to the reverse charge mechanism.  Where Art. 196 applies, the Traveller’s invoice will not include any VAT. You may be required to account for VAT in your local Member State. Traveller shall provide the valid VAT number immediately, however no later than thirty (30) days after registration. If the VAT number is provided after thirty (30) days, StayHomeAway will not refund any VAT amount.
 
2.6 This web Site is made up of Property Listings provided by Owners and content from other third parties. Such content is the responsibility of the Owner or third party creator of the content. We have no responsibility for such content as we are merely providing access to the content as a service to you and providing you with the facility to communicate directly with the Owner to enquire about a Property and make bookings with the Owner for the rental of such Property. All bookings you make are made directly with the Owner and your contract will be with the Owner. Any such contract will govern your right to occupy and use the Property, and may contain obligations to pay additional fees and taxes. Stay HomeAway is not a party to any such contract and StayHomeAway has no liability to you for the Owner’s provision of the Property. We do not endorse, support, represent or guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy or reliability of any information in the Listings on the Site or any opinions/content posted by third parties.

 

3. Property Listings, Renters and Owners Interaction

3.1 Please note that Owners are entirely responsible for all of the information, including images, text and other content, relating to the Properties they offer (“Listings”), for updating them and ensuring (where relevant) that they are correctly translated. Thus, where a Listing is linked to an automated translation facility, such as Google Translate, it is the Owner’s responsibility to ensure that the resulting translation is accurate, and to correct any deficiencies in it.

3.2 If a Traveller finds a Property in which they are interested, they can send an information request to the Owner (an “Enquiry” or “Enquiries”) stating their surname, e-mail address and telephone number, along with any requested information, without having to log in to the Site for the purpose.  By sending an Enquiry and submitting your email address, you agree to receive communications from StayHomeAway regarding products, services and holiday ideas.  You can opt out of receiving these communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link or by contacting us at Customer Support.

3.3 The Traveller will receive a confirmation from StayHomeAway once an Enquiry has been sent to the Owner.

3.4 The Owner may then communicate with the Traveller directly in connection with the Enquiry and Travellers and Owners may also communicate with each other via the Site (and via other tools on the StayHomeAway platform).

3.5 Where an Owner has enabled online bookings, Traveller will be able to make a booking online, which shall be approved or declined by the Owner within 24 hours.   For online payment, a Traveller whose booking was confirmed by the Owner will be able to pay with their credit card through the payments gateway offered by our third party payment provider, which operates as merchant of record in the processed transaction. The online payment service is subject to the terms and conditions of the third party payment provider, and Traveller agrees and acknowledges that StayHomeAway has no control over or any responsibility for this service.

3.6 Enquiries sent by a Traveller to an Owner on the Site, may include Traveller’s personal information (including email address, phone numbers and other information the Traveller provides) and the Owner may use such personal information in order to respond to the Traveller.

3.7 Any communication between Travellers and Owners using the StayHomeAway platform must not include email addresses or phone numbers. Please be aware that any communication on the Site (or through the StayHomeAway platform) will be available to view by StayHomeAway employees and representatives.  Please also be aware, in accordance with our security and account requirements, we may remove or redact information from any such communications (for example, email addresses, phone numbers or other content we deem to be inappropriate or non-compliant with applicable laws and regulations).

3.8 StayHomeAway may, from time to time, use third party e-mail servers to send and track receipt of the Enquiry emails, and analyse the pattern of Enquiry usage reported by these third party tracking systems. Our system does not hold messages indefinitely and they may not be accessible after the message has been delivered to you.

Please print a copy of any message which is important to you – for example a payment receipt or a booking confirmation.

3.9 StayHomeAway has no responsibility for or otherwise stated involvement in, the communications between the Owner and Traveller.


4.  Registration and establishing an Account

4.1 Should Travellers wish to use services available to them on the Site other than simply making an Enquiry, they must register with the Site. StayHomeAway does not authorise anyone to register with the Site unless they are able to enter into legally binding contracts.  As a result of successfully completing the registration process, the Traveller obtains a user account for the Site (an “Account”).

4.2 To obtain an Account, a Traveller must follow all of the instructions given by StayHomeAway during the registration process. A Traveller can sign up for an Account using a personal email address or alternatively can sign up using Facebook login credentials by clicking on the Facebook login button on the registration screen.

4.3 The Traveller’s Account includes information which is made publicly available to other users of the Site and can also be seen by other internet users not registered on the Site, for example, it may show up in Google search engines. An Account includes, amongst other things:

4.4 Travellers can deactivate their Account at any time and they can also unlink their Account and public page from Facebook at any time. Travellers can unlink their Accounts by going directly to their Travellers profile settings page.  You understand and accept that even if you deactivate your Account data could be retained by StayHomeAway Group under the terms of the Site’s Privacy Policy, or Cookie Notice.  You understand and consent to the use of your data as outlined in the Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice.  You also understand and accept that data relating to your transactions with StayHomeAway Group could have been transmitted to and remain on other sites, for example Google if Google search engine technology has copied content from StayHomeAway Group’s sites or systems.

4.5 StayHomeAway also uses Google Analytics to gather statistics on Site usage.  There are more details in the Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice and in Google’s own privacy policy.  Google may aggregate data they collect from their various services including Google Analytics, Google Translate, Google Maps and other Google services including YouTube.  You understand and accept that the StayHomeAway Group has no control over Google’s data collection.


5. Rights and obligations of StayHomeAway

5.1 StayHomeAway will endeavour to reproduce accurately on the Site any photographs supplied by Owner. However, Traveller acknowledges that deviations from original photos can occur when scanning non-digital images, due to individual screen settings and that StayHomeAway shall have no responsibility or liability for any such deviation.

5.2 Further, you also acknowledge that Owners and not Stay are responsible for the accuracy with which the photos and descriptions depict the relevant Property.

5.3 StayHomeAway may occasionally undertake upgrades and maintenance of the Site, its platforms and systems. These works may result in restrictions on the usage. StayHomeAway will, where possible, aim to ensure that works that cause any such restriction are undertaken at a time when most Travellers’ usage is least affected.

5.4 User verification on the Internet is difficult and we cannot, and do not assume any responsibility for the confirmation of each user's purported identity. We encourage Travellers and Owners to communicate directly with each other through the tools available on the Site, though even this does not assure you of the identity of the person with which you are communicating. We further encourage Travellers to take other reasonable measures to assure yourself of the Owners identity and of the property and relevant details of your booking or proposed booking. You agree to (i) keep your password and online ID for both your account with us and your email account secure and strictly confidential, providing it only to authorized users of your accounts, (ii) instruct each person to whom you give your online ID and password that he or she is not to disclose it to any unauthorized person, (iii) notify us immediately and select a new online ID and password if you believe your password for either your account with us or your email account may have become known to an unauthorized person, and (iv) notify us immediately if you are contacted by anyone requesting your online ID and password.  Further, if we suspect any unauthorized access to your account, upon our request, you agree to promptly change your ID and password and take any other related action as we may reasonably request. We discourage you from giving anyone access to your online ID and password for your account with us and your email account.  However, if you do give someone your online ID and online password, or if you fail to adequately safeguard such information, you are responsible for any and all transactions that the person performs while using your account with us and/or your email account, even those transactions that are fraudulent or that you did not intend or want performed and that StayHomeAway will have no liability to you in any such event.

5.5 You acknowledge that StayHomeAway is not responsible for checking the identity, or for the behaviour, of Owners or for establishing the nature, condition or existence of a Property.

5.6 StayHomeAway reserves the right to transfer these Traveller Ts&Cs, and to assign or subcontract any or all of its rights and obligations under these Traveller Ts&Cs, to a third party or to any other entity belonging to the StayHomeAway Group, but will not do so in such a way as to reduce any guarantees you are given under these Traveller Ts&Cs.

 

6. Intellectual Property

6.1 All content that appears on the Site is protected by copyright and database rights.  Reproduction of the Site, in whole or in part, including the copying of text, graphics or designs, is prohibited.

6.2 Travellers are permitted to download, display or print individual pages of the Site to evidence any agreement with StayHomeAway and to retain a copy of their bookings. The relevant file or the relevant printout must clearly bear the text “© Copyright [Present Year] StayHomeAway Sàrl - All Rights Reserved”.

6.3 Where a Traveller submits to or transmits through the Site (or StayHomeAway’s platform or systems) any content of any type, including text or images, the Traveller undertakes that he/she has the legal rights to do so.

6.4 To the extent that Travellers’ reviews or other content may contain trademarks or other proprietary names or marks, Travellers undertake that they have the right to use such names or marks.

6.5 By submitting any form of content to the Site (including but not limited to all text, descriptions, reviews, photographs, and the like), the Traveller grants Expedia, Inc., StayHomeAway and each of their subsidiary and affiliate companies, a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, transferable, irrevocable and fully sub-licensable (through multiple tiers) right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, translate, distribute, publish, create derivative works from and publically display and perform any such content throughout the world in any media, now known or hereafter devised for any purpose.

 

7. Travellers’ Accounts, Communications and Reviews

7.1 Travellers must provide only accurate and truthful information concerning their identity in their Accounts and profile pages, and any other communications on the Site, including reviews of Properties.

7.2 Messages sent via StayHomeAway’s systems should only relate to genuine booking Enquiries. We do not tolerate spam or unsolicited commercial electronic communications of any kind.  It is prohibited to misuse HomeStayAway’s systems, such as by sending unsolicited commercial communications (spam) or disclosing personal information of users to a third party, unless you have the express permission from the user. E-mails and Site recommendations transmitted via the “Recommend this Site” function should only be sent with the recipient’s consent. You agree that you will protect other users’ personal information with the same degree of care that you protect your own confidential information (using at minimum a reasonable standard of care), and you assume all liability for the misuse, loss, or unauthorised transfer of such information.

7.3 Travellers may post their reviews of Owners’ Properties (“Traveller Reviews”) on the Site.  The Owner is given the opportunity to view Traveller Reviews, and to respond to them (an “Owner Response”).   More detail about Traveller Reviews and Owner Responses is available here. Owners will also be given the opportunity to rate the Traveller’s stay (“Owner Review(s)”) and that Owner Reviews will be made available to Owners who you make contact with. Owner Reviews cannot be used to exclude or discriminate against individuals. The Traveller’s sole remedy in relation to Owner Reviews, and StayHomeAway’s sole obligation in relation to Owner Reviews, is to permit the Traveller to post a Traveller Review within 14 days of the submission of the Owner Review.  StayHomeAway otherwise expressly disclaims any liability for any Traveller or Owner Review. Traveller acknowledges and agrees StayHomeAway may make such Owner Review available to other Owners who the Traveller contacts through the Site. More detail as to the Owner Review process is available here.  

7.4 Please note that StayHomeAway does not, and realistically does not have the ability to, verify the accuracy or otherwise of Traveller Reviews, Owner Responses or Owner Reviews.

7.5 StayHomeAway nevertheless requires all, Traveller Reviews, Owner Responses, Owner Reviews and other communications using StayHomeAway’s systems to conform to the Content Guidelines, and may decline to post any of them that StayHomeAway finds do not comply.

7.6 StayHomeAway does not generally conduct identity checks. If Travellers suspect that the Owner has supplied false information, they are invited to notify StayHomeAway through the contact form.

7.7 StayHomeAway complies with its Privacy Policy. Further details can be obtained from the Privacy Policy. The Traveller consents to the use of his data as outlined in the Privacy Policy. Travellers should note, Owners have generally authorised Stayto forward the Owner’s contact details, including telephone number, to Travellers in connection with a Property booking. Travellers may ask for these details to be supplied on production of proof of the booking; alternatively, these details may be made available to Travellers through their Accounts.

8. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the StayHomeAway Group and its equity holders, officers, directors, employees and agents against any claims, causes of action, demands, recoveries, losses, damages, fines, penalties or other costs or expenses of any kind or nature, including but not limited to reasonable legal and accounting fees, brought or occasioned by third parties alleging, arising out of, or in connection with: (a) any material or content you provide to the Site; (b) your use of any content on the Site;  (c) any breach by you of these Traveller Ts&Cs; or (d) your use of the Property. StayHomeAway will provide notice to you promptly of any such claims.
 

9. Prohibitions

 

10. Your right to delete content

Travellers are responsible for ensuring that their communications, and content posted, through or in connection with the Site, including Traveller Reviews and communications with Owners, do not infringe the law, the rights of any person or entity, or contain false information, personal insults, anything libellous, slanderous or defamatory, anything that infringes copyright, data protection law or the Content Guidelines.  StayHomeAway may review any data on the Site or StayHomeAway’s platform or systems and delete it or alter it when it is no longer accurate or up-to-date.  Without prejudice to any other available remedies, StayHomeAway shall be entitled immediately to remove from the Site any communications or content that infringes these requirements, and to suspend or prevent the usage of any related Account.


11. Notifications

11.1 Any messages to us may be sent via the contact form or by post to c/o StayHomeAway Ltd, StayHomeAway Ltd  of  20 22 Wenlock Road, London. N1 7GU

11.2     Notifications of copyright infringement must contain:


12. Liability of StayHomeAway

12.1 The Site is merely a venue allowing you to view Properties listed on the Site, communicate with Owners in respect of any queries or questions you may have, or to make a booking with an Owner for the rental of a Property. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into with an Owner or for any Property you book, nor do we accept liability for the acts or omissions of any Owners or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with the Property.  For all Properties, your contract will be with the Owner and their terms and conditions will apply to your booking.  These terms and conditions may limit and/or exclude their liability to you and you are advised to read them carefully before making a booking. 

12.2 We do not provide liability insurance protection for Owners, property managers, or Travellers; regardless of whether a user obtains insurance coverage through one of our third party providers. Travellers are advised to obtain suitable travel insurance to cover their booking for the  Property from an Owner, including in the event they have to cancel their booking. It is the Traveller’s responsibility to ensure that the insurance it purchases is adequate and appropriate for the Traveller’s particular needs.

12.3 In no event will the StayHomeAway Group or any of its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, consultants, agents and/or employees or any third party provider of a tool offered on any site of a member of the StayHomeAway Group be liable for any lost profits or any indirect, consequential, special, incidental, or punitive damages arising out of, based on, or resulting from the Site or StayHomeAway’s platform or systems, any materials or content you submit to the Site, and your use of the Site and/or any transaction between users, even if StayHomeAway has been advised of the possibility of such damages. These limitations and exclusions apply without regard to whether the damages arise from breach of contract, negligence or any other cause of action. If you are dissatisfied with the Site (or the StayHomeAway platform or systems) or you do not agree with any part of these Traveller Ts&Cs, then your sole and exclusive remedy against StayHomeAway is to discontinue using the Site. Nothing in these Traveller Ts&Cs shall exclude or restrict StayHomeAway Group’s liability for death or personal injury resulting from its negligence; nor for StayHomeAway Group’s fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.


13. Miscellaneous

13.1 These Traveller Ts&Cs shall be governed by the laws of Switzerland and subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Swiss courts.

13.2 These Traveller Ts&Cs, the Privacy Policy and the Cookie Notice contain the entire agreement between StayHomeAway and Traveller relating to their subject matter.

13.3 StayHomeAway recommends that you save your own copy of these Traveller Ts&Cs in a separate file on your device or in print-out form.

13.4 StayHomeAway’s failure to act with respect to a breach of these Traveller Ts&Cs by the Traveller or others does not waive StayHomeAway’s right to act with respect to subsequent or similar breaches.

13.5 The headings to the Clauses are for ease of reference only and do not affect the interpretation or construction of these Traveller Ts&Cs.

13.6 The invalidity of one or more provisions of these Traveller Ts&Cs shall not affect the validity of the other provisions.

13.7 The European Commission’s Online Dispute Resolution Platform is available at  http://ec.europa.eu/odr

 

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