Terms and Conditions

0. TL;DR (not legally binding)

This is a friendly summary of what matters most. It is not legally binding; the detailed sections below are.

• Domu Match helps students (17+) find compatible roommates and understand their rent, using Harmony (lifestyle) and Context (academic) scores plus a WWS calculator.
• You must be at least 17, be (and remain) a student, and complete mandatory Persona ID verification. No fake, ghost, or AI-generated profiles.
• The matching algorithm weighs Harmony (~75%) and Context (~25%) to suggest matches, but you always make the final “Active Choice” about who you chat with or live with.
• You are responsible for what you post (profiles, photos, chat). No discrimination, harassment, scams, or use of Domu Match for non-student-housing or commercial purposes.
• The WWS calculator is for information and empowerment only and is not legal advice or a decision of the Huurcommissie.
• Domu Match cannot guarantee offline behaviour or your physical safety. Roommate disputes and housing contracts are mainly between you, your roommates, and your landlord.

1. About Domu Match & Service Scope

Domu Match is a science-backed roommate matching platform for students operated from the Netherlands.

• Purpose: help students find lifestyle-compatible roommates using Harmony and Context scores and other inputs.
• Status: Domu Match is not a landlord, rental agency, housing provider, or law firm.
• Revenue: Students use Domu Match for free; the platform is funded via university or institutional licence fees.
• Informational tools: WWS rent calculator and document templates are provided for guidance only (see Section 6).

2. Eligibility (17+ students only)

Domu Match is exclusively for students.

• You must be at least 17 years old.
• You must be a current student (e.g., university, hogeschool, MBO, or other recognised institution). Proof may be requested.
• Using Domu Match outside the Netherlands: you remain responsible for compliance with local law.

3. Account Registration & Accuracy

• Provide accurate, current information and keep it updated.
• Do not share your account or credentials; you are responsible for all activity on your account.
• Notify us promptly if you suspect unauthorised access.

4. Mandatory Identity & Student Verification (Persona)

Safety depends on trusted identities.

• ID verification is mandatory. Domu Match uses a third-party provider (currently Persona) to review documents and perform liveness checks.
• Domu Match does not store raw ID documents or biometric templates; we receive verification results/attributes only. Persona may store raw documents as our processor.
• Verification may include government ID, selfie/video checks, and proof of student status. Refusing or failing verification may limit features or lead to suspension/termination.
• Data is processed under the GDPR and our Privacy Policy. Core purpose: confirm age (17+), identity, and student status, and link verification to your account.
• No ghost or AI-generated profiles: you may not use AI faces, avatars, or borrowed identities to pass verification or create deceptive accounts.

5. Matching Algorithm, Parameters & No Guarantee

• Inputs: questionnaire responses, lifestyle/preferences, Harmony and Context scores, recency of activity, location/budget filters, and safety signals (e.g., repeated reports).
• Weighting: Harmony (lifestyle) is weighted around 75% and Context (academic and practical context) around 25% in the matching logic, subject to iterative improvements.
• User control: where available, you can adjust preferences/filters; the interface explains how these affect recommendations.
• No perfect match: scores and recommendations are guidance only. Human judgment and your own due diligence remain essential.
• No responsibility for roommate behaviour: Domu Match is not a party to any tenancy, sublease, or co-living agreement and is not liable for conflicts between users.
• Active choice: recommendations are suggestions only. You always decide whom to contact, meet, or live with; no automated system binds you to a contract.

6. User-Generated Content (profiles, photos & chat)

You are responsible for the content you provide on Domu Match, including profiles, photos, room descriptions, and chat messages.

• Ensure your content is lawful, honest, and does not infringe the rights of others (e.g., privacy, copyright, portrait rights).
• Profile photos should reasonably represent you; do not use AI-generated faces or heavily edited images that mislead others about your identity.
• You may not upload pornographic, sexually explicit, or sexually exploitative images, or images containing hate symbols or extremist content.
• Chat must remain respectful and relevant to student housing. No threats, bullying, hate speech, spam, phishing links, or pressure to share excessive personal or financial data.
• We may use automated tools and human review to detect certain high-risk patterns (e.g., spam, obvious illegal content) in line with the DSA and privacy laws.

7. WWS Calculator & Legal Templates (Informational Only)

These tools are informational and educational only.

• Rules can change; outcomes depend on your specific facts. Do not rely solely on our tools.
• Always validate rent points, amounts, and contract terms with the Huurcommissie or qualified counsel before acting.
• The WWS calculator is not a formal decision or advice from the Huurcommissie or any authority and does not replace independent legal advice.

8. Acceptable Use & Prohibited Conduct

• No fake profiles, impersonation, or misrepresenting age/student status; no use of another person’s documents.
• No scraping, harvesting, automated access, or commercial use of student data; do not build competitive datasets or models from platform data.
• No harassment, stalking, discrimination, hate speech, threats, or abusive conduct on or off platform when connected to Domu Match.
• No discrimination based on protected characteristics such as gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, disability, or age, in line with Dutch non-discrimination law.
• No illegal content, malware, fraud, or attempts to bypass security, probe systems, or disrupt service integrity.
• No scams or misleading schemes (including fake housing offers, deposit scams, or using Domu Match primarily as a dating, escort, or MLM/marketing platform).
• Personal, non-commercial use only. Do not market, advertise, or solicit on Domu Match without written consent.

9. Pricing & Payment

• Students: access is free.
• Universities/partners: platform funded via institutional licensing (separate agreements may apply).

10. Limitation of Liability

• Mandatory rights: Nothing limits liability where this is not allowed under Dutch/EU law (e.g., death/personal injury by intent or gross negligence, fraud, or non-excludable consumer rights).
• Roommate and housing risks: Domu Match is not liable for personal injury, property damage, financial loss, or disputes arising from roommate matches, meetings, or housing/lease arrangements, except where liability cannot be limited by law.
• Third parties: We do not control roommates, landlords, universities, or other third parties and are not responsible for their actions or properties.
• Service continuity: We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service. Maintenance/security downtime may occur.
• Cap: If liability arises despite the above, total aggregate liability is capped at €100 or the amount (if any) received from your institution specifically for your use in the past 12 months, whichever is higher, unless mandatory law requires more.

11. Suspension & Termination

• We may suspend, restrict, or terminate accounts for safety risks, policy breaches, false identity/student status, failed/refused verification, fraud, or legal/authority requirements.
• Content may be removed or restricted if reasonably believed illegal or violating these Terms.
• Where required and feasible, we will notify you of significant enforcement actions and provide an appeal route.

12. Founder Liability & Company Structure

• Domu Match may operate as a VOF, BV, or other Dutch legal form; we will disclose the current legal form and registration details in our imprint/legal information.
• Domu Match provides a digital platform and tools only. Roommate relationships, rental contracts, and in-house disputes are primarily between you, your roommates, and your landlord.
• The personal liability of founders, shareholders, and directors is limited in accordance with the applicable legal form and mandatory Dutch law.
• Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot be limited under Dutch/EU law, including where caused by intentional misconduct or gross negligence by Domu Match.

13. Changes to These Terms

• Significant changes: at least 15 days’ advance notice (e.g., email or in-app), unless shorter notice is required by law or for urgent legal/safety reasons.
• If you disagree with updates, stop using Domu Match and request account deletion. Continued use after the effective date means acceptance.

14. Governing Law & Disputes

• Dutch law governs, subject to any mandatory consumer protections in your EU/EEA country of residence.
• Disputes go to the competent courts of the Netherlands. Consumers in the EU/EEA may bring claims in their home forum where mandatory law allows.
• Please contact us first at info@domumatch.com to try informal resolution.

15. DSA Notice & Reporting

• Report illegal content or abuse via in-app tools (where available) or email info@domumatch.com with details, links, or screenshots.
• We review notices diligently and act in line with the EU Digital Services Act and Dutch law, including acknowledging certain notices, assessing them within a reasonable time, and taking proportionate action.
• Actions may include no action, content removal or restriction, feature limitations, temporary suspension, or account termination. Where required, we provide a brief statement of reasons and an appeal route.

16. Contact & Legal Inquiries

• Support and DSA notices: info@domumatch.com
• Address: Breda, The Netherlands (no KVK number available yet).
• Legal and AI/DSA inquiries: legal@domumatch.com (or another designated legal contact address).
• If a Dutch translation is provided, it prevails if there is a conflict with this English text.