1. Nature of Service
LeaseBuddy LLC provides a digital venue where anyone can browse, list, and communicate about apartment and housing subleases and rentals. The Services are open to all adults seeking to sublease, rent, or list a home — not limited to any particular group such as students.
- Neutral Intermediary: LeaseBuddy is not a real estate broker, landlord, property manager, or insurance provider. We do not own, inspect, manage, or control the properties listed.
- No Party to Contracts: Any agreement formed between users is strictly between those users. LeaseBuddy is not a party to any such agreements.
2. Eligibility & Minimum Age
- 18 or Older: You must be at least 18 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts in order to create an account or use the Services.
- Accurate Registration: By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet this minimum-age requirement and that the information you provide is truthful.
- Not for Children: The Services are not directed to, and may not be used by, anyone under the age of 18.
3. Fair Housing & Non-Discrimination
LeaseBuddy is committed to equal housing opportunity and complies with the federal Fair Housing Act and applicable state and local fair-housing laws.
- Prohibited Discrimination: You may not discriminate against, or express any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status (including children), disability, or any other class protected under applicable law.
- Listing Content Policy: Listings, profiles, reviews, and messages may not contain language that states or implies such a preference or limitation (for example, "no kids," "ideal for [a specific group]," or steering based on a protected class).
- Enforcement: We may remove content and suspend or terminate accounts that violate this policy. Users can report listings that appear to violate fair-housing rules, and we will review reports.
4. Public Visibility & Guest Access
- Public Data: Property photos, pricing, and general descriptions will be visible to the general public.
- Protected Data: Your Full Name, Exact Street Address, Map Location, and Messaging Interface are restricted to registered users only.
- User Discretion: You are responsible for ensuring that photos or descriptions don't inadvertently reveal private information.
5. Accuracy of Information & User Verification
- "As-Is" Content: LeaseBuddy does not vet or verify the accuracy of user-generated content, profiles, or listings.
- Optional Verification: Any verification badges we offer are optional convenience features and do not constitute a guarantee, endorsement, or background check of any user.
- Due Diligence: Users are solely responsible for conducting their own inspections and background checks.
6. Subleasing & Legal Compliance
If you list a sublease on LeaseBuddy, you represent and warrant that:
- You have the legal right to sublease the premises under your original lease agreement.
- You have obtained any necessary written consent from your landlord or property manager.
- LeaseBuddy is not liable for any evictions, fines, or legal actions resulting from a user's violation of their primary lease terms.
7. Payments, Platform Fees & Third-Party Processors
LeaseBuddy offers certain optional paid features. Payments for these features are processed by our third-party payment processor, Stripe. We do not collect or store your full card number — your payment details are handled by Stripe under its own terms and privacy policy.
- User-to-User Payments: LeaseBuddy does not process, hold, or escrow rent, security deposits, or other funds exchanged between renters and listers, and will not mediate financial disputes regarding those payments.
- Optional Paid Features: We charge fees for certain optional features, which currently include promoting ("featuring") a listing for a fixed period, a recurring Pro subscription for property managers, and one-time identity verification. The price and any recurring billing interval are shown to you before you complete a purchase, and fees may change on a going-forward basis.
- Authorization to Charge: By completing a purchase, you authorize LeaseBuddy and Stripe to charge your selected payment method for the amount displayed, plus any applicable taxes, and (for subscriptions) on each renewal until you cancel.
- Subscriptions & Auto-Renewal: Paid subscriptions (such as the property-manager Pro plan) renew automatically each billing period at the then-current price until you cancel. You may cancel at any time through the billing portal in your Profile. Cancellation stops future charges and takes effect at the end of the current paid period; it does not retroactively refund the period already paid.
- Refunds: Except where required by law, fees for digital features are generally non-refundable, because access is granted immediately upon payment. Time-based promotions (such as featured listings) are not pro-rated or refunded if a listing is later removed, rented, hidden, or expires before the promotional period ends.
- No Guarantee of Results: Purchasing a featured listing, a subscription, or a verification badge only increases visibility or adds an optional trust signal. It does not guarantee a sublease, a rental, tenant or landlord quality, or any particular outcome, and it is not an endorsement, guarantee, or background check by LeaseBuddy.
- Failed Payments & Disputes: If a charge fails, is reversed, or is disputed (for example, via a chargeback), we may suspend, downgrade, or remove the associated paid feature or restrict account access.
- Stay Safe: Never wire money or pay a deposit to another user before viewing a property in person and signing a lease. Treat any request to do so as a potential scam.
8. Limitation of Liability & Indemnification
- No Warranty: The Platform is provided on an "as-is" and "as-available" basis without warranties of any kind.
- Indemnity: You agree to indemnify and hold harmless LeaseBuddy LLC and its officers from any claims, damages, or legal expenses arising from your use of the Platform.
9. User Conduct & Data Privacy
- Prohibited Behavior: Users may not post fraudulent listings, engage in harassment, or use the Platform for any illegal purpose.
- Data Rights: You may request deletion of your account and personal data at any time by contacting neven.stark@leasebuddy.org.