Terms of Service | TrueBookings

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using the services provided by TrueBookings ("we," "our," or "us"), you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement.

If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service.

2. Description of Service

TrueBookings provides direct booking website solutions for property owners, including:

Professional booking website designs and templates
Website hosting and maintenance
Domain management services
Booking management and payment processing
Guest communication tools
Admin dashboard and content management
Zero platform fees on bookings

3. User Accounts and Property Ownership

3.1 User Eligibility

To use our services, you must:

Be at least 18 years old (or have parental consent if under 18)
Have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
Be the legal owner of the property you are listing, or have explicit written permission from the property owner

3.2 Account Creation

To access our services, you must create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration, including proof of property ownership when requested.

3.3 Data Usage and Disclosure Permission

By creating an account, you grant TrueBookings permission to:

Host Information: Display your provided details (name, property information, contact details) to potential guests for booking purposes
Guest Information: Share your provided details with hosts when you make bookings, including during messaging and booking management
Platform Operations: Use your information for payment processing, booking management, customer support, and platform functionality
Communication: Contact you regarding bookings, payments, platform updates, and customer support

This permission is essential for the platform's operation and is granted automatically upon account creation.

3.4 Property Ownership Verification

You must be the legal owner of the property you are listing for rental, or have explicit written permission from the property owner to list and rent the property. We reserve the right to request documentation proving property ownership or authorization at any time.

3.5 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account.

3.6 Account Suspension and Termination

We reserve the right to immediately suspend or terminate your account for:

Failure to provide proof of property ownership when requested
Listing properties you do not own or have permission to rent
Violations of these terms of service
Fraudulent activity or misrepresentation
Illegal activities or violations of local rental laws
Any other reason at our sole discretion

4. Payment Terms and Booking Fees

4.1 Service Fee Structure

TrueBookings charges a 5% service fee on guest bookings. This service fee covers our platform services including payment processing, booking management, and customer support.

4.2 Payment Processing and Legal Structure

All payments are processed securely through Stripe. Important Legal Notice: TrueBookings operates as a marketplace platform, not as a merchant of record. You (the property owner) are the legal seller of your accommodation services. TrueBookings facilitates the transaction and provides platform services for a service fee.

4.3 Stripe Connect Transfer Fees

Transfer fees are deducted from your payout amount. When we transfer your accommodation revenue to your Stripe account, Stripe charges a transfer fee of 0.25% + 20p per transfer. This fee is automatically deducted from your payout amount before the transfer is processed. TrueBookings does not pay these transfer fees - they are deducted from your accommodation revenue.

4.4 Refunds

Refunds are provided at our discretion and in accordance with our refund policy.

4A. Tax and VAT Responsibilities

4A.1 VAT and Tax Compliance

You are responsible for all taxes, VAT, and regulatory compliance related to your property rental business. This includes but is not limited to:

Registering for VAT/sales tax in your country if you exceed applicable thresholds
Filing and paying all required tax returns
Complying with local rental tax regulations
Maintaining proper tax records and documentation

4A.2 TrueBookings VAT Collection

TrueBookings may collect VAT on our service fees in accordance with applicable tax laws. When you exceed your country's VAT threshold, we may also collect VAT on your accommodation revenue and include your VAT portion in your payouts. You are responsible for remitting your portion of collected VAT to your tax authorities.

4A.3 Dynamic Pricing and VAT Impact

Guest pricing may vary based on your VAT compliance status. When you are below your country's VAT threshold, guests pay VAT only on our service fee. When you exceed your country's VAT threshold, guests pay VAT on both the service fee and your accommodation revenue. This means the total price guests pay may increase when you exceed your VAT threshold, as additional VAT will be applied to your accommodation revenue.

4A.4 Tax Documentation

You agree to provide accurate tax information and documentation when requested. TrueBookings is not responsible for your individual tax obligations or penalties arising from non-compliance.

4B. Legal Relationship and Business Structure

4B.1 Marketplace Platform Status

TrueBookings operates as a marketplace platform, not as a merchant of record. This means:

You (the property owner) are the legal seller of your accommodation services
TrueBookings provides platform services and facilitates transactions
You are responsible for all legal obligations as the service provider
TrueBookings is classified as a "leverantörsskuld" (accounts payable) in our accounting

4B.2 Your Legal Obligations

As the legal seller of accommodation services, you are responsible for:

All guest relations and service delivery
Compliance with local rental laws and regulations
Tax registration and compliance in your jurisdiction
Insurance coverage for your property and guests
Safety and health code compliance
Any disputes or legal issues arising from your rental business

4B.3 TrueBookings Role

TrueBookings provides:

Platform technology and booking management
Payment processing facilitation (via Stripe)
Customer support for platform-related issues
Marketing and listing services

TrueBookings is NOT responsible for:

Your tax obligations or compliance
Guest satisfaction with your property
Property maintenance or safety
Legal disputes between you and guests

5. Property Listings and Rental Terms

5.1 Accurate Property Information

You must provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information about your property, including:

Accurate property descriptions and amenities
Current and accurate pricing
Real photographs of the actual property
Correct availability dates
Accurate property location and address

5.2 Rental Compliance

You agree to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws regarding short-term rentals, including:

Obtaining necessary permits and licenses
Paying required taxes and fees
Complying with zoning regulations
Following safety and health codes
Respecting noise ordinances and community guidelines

5.3 Guest Relations

You are responsible for:

Providing a safe and clean property for guests
Responding to guest inquiries in a timely manner
Honoring confirmed bookings
Resolving guest complaints and issues
Maintaining appropriate insurance coverage

6. Acceptable Use

You agree to use our services only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms of Service. You agree not to:

Use the service for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
Violate any applicable laws or regulations
Infringe upon the rights of others
Transmit harmful, offensive, or inappropriate content
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
List properties you do not own or have permission to rent
Engage in fraudulent booking practices
Discriminate against guests based on protected characteristics

7. Intellectual Property

All content, designs, and software provided by TrueBookings remain our intellectual property. You are granted a limited license to use our services in accordance with these terms.

8. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy, which also governs your use of our services.

8.1 GDPR Compliance

By using our services, you consent to the processing of your personal data as described in our Privacy Policy. You have the right to:

Access your personal data
Correct inaccurate data
Request data portability
Request deletion of your data
Withdraw consent at any time

8.2 Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that may affect your personal information, we will notify you within 72 hours as required by GDPR.

9. Limitation of Liability

TrueBookings shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages resulting from your use of our services, including but not limited to:

Disputes between property owners and guests
Property damage or personal injury
Booking cancellations or modifications
Payment processing issues
Service interruptions or technical issues

9.1 Platform Liability Limitations

TrueBookings is not responsible for:

User-generated content, messages, or communications between users
False, misleading, or inaccurate information provided by users
Disputes arising from rental agreements between hosts and guests
Property damage, theft, or personal injury occurring at listed properties
Booking cancellations, no-shows, or guest behavior issues
Third-party service failures (Stripe, hosting, etc.)
Technical issues, downtime, or service interruptions
Legal compliance issues in user jurisdictions

9.2 Service Availability

TrueBookings does not guarantee uninterrupted service availability. We reserve the right to suspend or modify services for maintenance, updates, or other operational reasons.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless TrueBookings from any claims arising from your use of our services, including but not limited to:

Property-related disputes or damages
Violations of local rental laws or regulations
Guest complaints or legal actions
Tax-related issues or penalties (including VAT compliance)
Any misrepresentation of property ownership or authorization
Legal consequences of your status as the legal seller of accommodation services
Disputes arising from your rental business operations
Regulatory compliance issues in your jurisdiction

10.1 Tax and VAT Indemnification

You specifically agree to indemnify TrueBookings for any tax-related penalties, fines, or legal consequences arising from:

Your failure to register for VAT/sales tax when required
Your failure to remit collected VAT to tax authorities
Incorrect tax reporting or documentation
Any tax audits or investigations related to your rental business

11. Dispute Resolution

In the event of disputes between property owners and guests, TrueBookings is not responsible for mediating or resolving such disputes. We encourage parties to resolve issues directly or through appropriate legal channels.

12. Modifications

We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any changes.

13. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of Sweden. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Sweden.

14. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at hello@truebookings.net