StayingBee Terms and Conditions

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using the StayingBee platform ("Platform"), including our website, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the "Services"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use our Services.

StayingBee Oy. ("StayingBee," "we," "us," or "our") operates a community-driven accommodation platform that connects verified community members for short-term housing arrangements.

2. Data Collection and Privacy Overview

What We Collect: We collect only the data necessary to operate our platform, including account information, booking details, and usage analytics to improve our services.

How We Use It: Your data is used exclusively to provide our services, ensure platform safety, process payments, and improve user experience.

Third-Party Sharing: We do not share your personal data with third parties except for essential services (such as payment processing with Stripe) and when required by law.

For complete details about our data practices, please review our Privacy Policy.

3. Eligibility and Account Registration

3.1 Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to use our Services. By using our Platform, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age.

3.2 Account Creation

• You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration, including the required information to verify your association with the selected community.
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• You may not create multiple accounts or transfer your account to another person

3.3 Account Verification

We may require identity verification, including but not limited to government-issued ID, phone number verification, and other documentation as deemed necessary.

4. Community Membership

4.1 Community Applications

• Users may apply to join one or more communities within the Platform
• Each community manages its own approval process and membership criteria
• Community acceptance is at the sole discretion of community administrators
• We do not guarantee acceptance into any community

4.2 Multiple Communities

Users may be members of multiple communities simultaneously, provided they have been accepted by each community's administrators.

4.3 Community Standards

All community members must adhere to community-specific rules and guidelines as established by community administrators, in addition to these Terms.

5. Platform Services

5.1 Accommodation Services

StayingBee facilitates connections between:

• Hosts: Community members offering accommodation
• Guests: Community members seeking accommodation

5.2 Payment Processing

• StayingBee processes all payments through the Platform
• We do not facilitate direct payments between users
• All booking-related payments must be processed through our designated payment systems

Payment data is shared between our global subsidiaries to provide a seamless checkout experience.

6. Fees and Payment Terms

6.1 Service Fees

StayingBee charges a service fee of:

• 5 EURO flat fee for all FREE listing, OR
• 20% of the total booking amount for all paid private stay listings
• 30% of the total booking amount for all group stay listings

6.2 Payment Authorization

• By making a booking, you authorize us to charge your payment method
• Payment is processed upon booking confirmation or according to the payment schedule
• You are responsible for all applicable taxes and fees

6.3 Pricing and Tax Transparency

StayingBee is committed to transparent pricing for both hosts and guests:

• Host View: Hosts see their base price without taxes when viewing their own listings, as tax amounts vary by guest location
• Guest View: Guests see the complete price including base price, service fees, and applicable taxes based on their billing address
• Tax Calculation: Taxes (VAT/sales tax) are calculated based on the guest's billing address and local tax regulations
• Service Fee Application: Service fees are applied to all bookings and may be subject to local taxes depending on guest location
• Final Price Variation: The final price paid by guests may vary from the host's set price due to location-specific taxes and fees

6.4 Currency and Exchange Rates

• Prices are displayed in the currency selected by the User for convenience only.
• All prices are processed in Euros (€).
• Currency conversion rates are determined by our payment processors
• You are responsible for any currency conversion fees imposed by your financial institution

7. Booking Terms

7.1 Booking Process

• Bookings may be subject to Host approval or automatic confirmation
• All bookings are subject to availability and Host acceptance
• Booking confirmations are sent via email and in-app notifications

7.2 Modifications and Cancellations

• Booking modifications are subject to Host approval and availability
• Cancellation policies are set by individual Hosts and displayed at the time of booking
• Cancellation refunds are processed according to the applicable cancellation policy

7.3 No-Show Policy

Failure to check-in without prior cancellation may result in forfeiture of payment and booking cancellation.

8. Host Responsibilities

8.1 Listing Accuracy

• Hosts must provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date listing information
• Photos must accurately represent the accommodation
• Amenities and house rules must be clearly stated

8.2 Availability Management

• Hosts must maintain accurate calendar availability
• Hosts must honor confirmed bookings unless extraordinary circumstances occur

8.3 Guest Communication

• Hosts must respond to guest inquiries within reasonable timeframes
• Check-in instructions must be provided in advance of guest arrival

9. Guest Responsibilities

9.1 Property Respect

• Guests must treat Host properties with care and respect
• Guests must follow all house rules and community guidelines
• Guests are liable for any damage beyond normal wear and tear

9.2 Accurate Representation

• Guests must provide accurate information about party size and purpose of stay
• Guests must comply with maximum occupancy limits

10. Prohibited Uses

You may not use our Services to:

10.1 Illegal Activities

• Engage in any illegal activities or facilitate illegal conduct
• Violate any local, state, national, or international laws or regulations

10.2 Platform Abuse

• Circumvent or manipulate our fee structure
• Create fake accounts or impersonate others
• Spam, harass, or abuse other users
• Post false, misleading, or defamatory content

10.3 Unauthorized Commercial Use

• Use the Platform for unauthorized commercial purposes
• Compete directly with StayingBee's business model
• Scrape or collect user data without permission

11. Content and Intellectual Property

11.1 User Content

• You retain ownership of content you post on the Platform
• The content you post on the Platform will not be displayed to anyone outside of the community(ies) you're part of.
• You are solely responsible for your content and must have the necessary rights to post it

11.2 Platform Content

• StayingBee owns all Platform technology, design, and proprietary content
• You may not copy, modify, or distribute our proprietary content without permission

12. Privacy and Data Protection

12.1 Data Collection and Use

Our collection and use of personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

12.2 GDPR and CCPA Compliance

We comply with applicable data protection regulations, including GDPR and CCPA, where applicable.

13. Safety and Security

13.1 User Safety

• We implement security measures but cannot guarantee absolute safety
• Users are responsible for their own safety and security
• Report suspicious activity or safety concerns immediately

13.2 Background Checks

We may conduct background checks or identity verification but do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such checks.

14. Limitation of Liability

14.1 Platform Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

• StayingBee acts as an intermediary platform only
• We are not responsible for the conduct of Hosts or Guests
• We do not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of accommodations
• Our total liability shall not exceed the service fees paid by you in the 12 months preceding the claim

14.2 Disclaimer of Warranties

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

15. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless StayingBee, its affiliates, 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 third-party rights
• Your conduct in connection with the Services

16. Dispute Resolution

16.1 Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or your use of the Services shall be resolved through binding arbitration rather than in court, except that you may assert claims in small claims court if your claims qualify.

16.2 Arbitration Process

• Arbitration will be conducted by a recognized arbitration organization
• The arbitration will take place in the relevant jurisdiction of the user(s) involved in the dispute
• Each party will bear their own costs and fees

16.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree that disputes will be resolved individually and waive any right to participate in class action lawsuits.

17. Account Suspension and Termination

17.1 Our Right to Terminate

We may suspend or terminate your account at any time for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent or suspicious activity
• Non-payment of fees
• Risk to user safety or Platform integrity

17.2 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your access to the Platform will cease immediately
• Outstanding financial obligations remain due
• Certain provisions of these Terms will survive termination

18. Force Majeure

We are not liable for any failure to perform due to events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, government actions, pandemics, or technical failures.

19. Modifications to Terms

19.1 Right to Modify

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or Platform notification.

19.2 Continued Use

Your continued use of the Platform after Terms modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

20. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of Finland. Disputes will be resolved in the District Court of Helsinki in Finland. The language of the proceedings is English.

21. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

22. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, contact us at:

Email: terms@stayingbee.com

Address: Stayingbee Oy, Merituulentie 38 A77, 02200, Espoo, Finland

Phone: +358452516880

23. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any additional terms for specific services, constitute the entire agreement between you and StayingBee.