Terms of Service

Effective date: September 23, 2026

Moderation update: Sections 5, 6, 9, 10 and 19 explain our rules on genuine listing photos, Threads posting, contact details, content moderation and account restrictions.

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Flatmate mobile application, website (flatmate.ng), and all related services (collectively, the "Platform") operated by Boldswitch LTD ("Flatmate", "we", "us", or "our"), a company registered under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By creating an account, accessing, or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use Flatmate.

Zero-Tolerance Safety Policy

Flatmate has zero tolerance for objectionable content or abusive users. Harassment, hate speech, sexually explicit content, violent threats, scams, impersonation, and repeated unwanted contact are prohibited.

We may automatically filter content, remove posts or messages, suspend accounts, permanently ban offending users, and review user reports and blocks within 24 hours.

1. Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old to use Flatmate.
• You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and keep your profile up to date.
• You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.
• You may not create more than one account. Duplicate accounts will be terminated.

2. Account Registration & Authentication

• Accounts are created using your email address with a one-time password (OTP) sent to your email for authentication.
• You must not share your OTP or account credentials with any other person.
• You must notify us immediately at [email protected] if you suspect unauthorised access to your account.

3. Identity Verification

Flatmate requires identity verification to maintain a safe and trusted community. By using the Platform, you agree to:

• Submit your National Identification Number (NIN) for government verification
• Upload a valid government-issued identification document when requested
• Complete a selfie and liveness check to confirm you are a real person
• Allow face matching between your ID photo and selfie for identity confirmation
• Optionally verify your phone number via OTP for additional trust

Verification is processed through our third-party partner (Ssync). Submitting false, stolen, or forged identification documents is prohibited and may result in immediate account termination and referral to law enforcement.

4. User Profiles & Visibility

• Your profile (name, photo, bio, lifestyle preferences, verification badge, and reviews) is visible to other Flatmate users.
• You may enable Ghost Mode to hide your profile from the discovery feed while keeping your account active.
• Your online status and last-seen timestamp may be visible to other users unless you enable Ghost Mode.
• You must not impersonate another person or misrepresent your identity, lifestyle, or intentions.

5. Acceptable Use

When using Flatmate, you agree not to:

• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information in your profile, listings, or messages
• Harass, threaten, bully, or abuse other users
• Send spam, unsolicited commercial messages, or chain messages
• Use the Platform for any illegal purpose, including fraud, money laundering, or scams
• Upload or share explicit, violent, hateful, or otherwise objectionable content
• Scrape, crawl, or collect user data through automated means
• Circumvent, manipulate, or exploit the matching, verification, credit, or protected-payment systems
• Create fake profiles or use the Platform for purposes other than finding flatmates or listing shared accommodation
• Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Platform
• Interfere with or disrupt the Platform's infrastructure or other users' experience

5.1 Threads, Spam & Posting Restrictions

Threads must support Flatmate's purpose of helping people find flatmates, accommodation and a safe, respectful shared-living community. Spam, repetitive or unsolicited promotions, and topics that conflict with Flatmate's values of safety, honesty, respect and relevance to that community may be restricted or removed.

Flatmate reserves the right to restrict your Threads activity and require credits for further posts if we detect spam, if you publish more than 10 Threads posts in any rolling 24-hour period, or if the topics of your posts do not align with the purpose and values described above. These are separate grounds for action; posting 10 or fewer times does not exempt spam or other prohibited content from moderation.

Restrictions may include posting limits, a credit requirement for each further post, a temporary loss of posting access, or other measures under section 19. Any required credit cost will be shown before you submit a post. Paying credits does not guarantee that a post will be published or remain visible, and does not exempt it from these Terms. A restriction may remain in place until Flatmate reviews and lifts it; the end of a 24-hour period does not automatically lift an account restriction.

6. Property Listings

• Only properties you own or have legal authority to list may be posted on the Platform.
• Listings must accurately represent the property, including its location, photos, rent amount, availability, amenities, house rules, and current occupants.
• Every listing must include at least one genuine interior photograph of the actual apartment or accommodation being offered. The photo must clearly show its current condition. Exterior-only photos, stock images, computer-generated images, floor plans, promotional graphics, or photos of a different property do not satisfy this requirement. Flatmate reserves the right to reject, pause or remove any listing that does not include a qualifying interior photograph.
• Prices must be accurate and state the correct rent amount and payment period. Photos must be clear, relevant and representative of the accommodation. We may pause or remove listings and related posts that contain an incorrect or misleading price, poor-quality or unsuitable photos, or other inaccurate information.
• You must respond to genuine enquiries about your listing and keep its availability up to date. Flatmate reserves the right to pause or remove listings and related posts where the user is unresponsive to enquiries, including where reports or account activity indicate that the listing is no longer being actively managed.
• Listing photos may be watermarked by Flatmate to prevent misuse.
• We reserve the right to edit, pause, remove or delist any listing that violates these Terms or that we determine to be misleading, including following a review of user reports. We may require corrected details or replacement photographs before allowing a listing to be restored.
• You are solely responsible for the legality and accuracy of your listing. Flatmate does not verify property ownership or condition.

7. Credits & Rewards System

7.1 Earning Credits

You may earn credits through:

• Sign-up bonus upon account creation
• Completing your profile and lifestyle questionnaire
• Verifying your identity (NIN and phone)
• Referring new users to the Platform
• Submitting reviews and uploading photos

7.2 Spending Credits

Credits may be used to:

• Initiate chat conversations with other users
• Send buddy (roommate pairing) requests
• Make voice or video calls
• Boost your listing for increased visibility
• Publish Threads posts when a credit requirement applies, including under the posting restrictions in section 5.1

7.3 Purchasing Credits

• You may purchase additional credits through Boldswitch. All purchases are final and non-refundable except as required by law.
• Credits have no cash value and cannot be transferred, exchanged, or redeemed for cash.
• We reserve the right to modify credit costs, earning rates, or the rewards structure at any time with reasonable notice.

8. Protected Payments (SecurePay)

8.1 Holding and Releasing a Payment

SecurePay protects eligible payments confirmed as protected under the agreement version both parties accepted. Boldswitch, our licensed payment partner, holds the money. Flatmate holds the agreement, not your funds, and is not a party to your rental.

• The payer may authorise release of the protected amount. The receiver cannot release it to themselves or withdraw it while it remains held.
• Inspect the property and check the accepted terms before authorising release. The app does not require proof of a viewing. A release cannot be reversed.
• Where the agreement reserves a property, its listing stays off the market while the protected money remains held, including while an authorised refund is still settling. Other listings stay live.

8.2 Platform Fees

• The payer pays 2% of the protected amount, with a minimum of ₦2,000 and a cap of ₦100,000, on top of that amount. The receiver gets the protected amount in full. The exact fee is shown before payment.
• The fee is earned once the money is protected and is not refundable after that, including where the rental does not go ahead.

8.3 Refunds and Disputes

The protection policy selected in the agreement is shown to both parties before payment. There is no blanket 48-hour automatic refund.

• Under SecurePay's agreed-terms policy, a refund request must identify an accepted term the payer says was not met. It freezes the protected amount. The receiver has 24 response hours, counted between 9am and 8pm, to approve or dispute it.
• Approval or no response by the deadline authorises a full refund of the protected amount. A viewing, move-in date or other external event does not change that no-response outcome. A dispute keeps the money frozen; Flatmate responds within 72 hours and assesses the accepted agreement and both parties' evidence. There is no preset split.
• Under the own-signed-agreement setting, there is no automatic deadline or Flatmate decision on a disagreement. Boldswitch keeps the money held until an authorised action under that policy applies.

8.4 Bank Account Information

• To receive payouts, listers must provide valid bank account details. We verify the account name before processing any transfer.
• Flatmate is not liable for funds sent to an incorrect bank account due to information provided by you.

8.5 Scope of Protection

SecurePay does not verify or guarantee the property, the receiver's authority to offer it, or your ability to move in. It is not insurance or a tenancy agreement. Payments made outside SecurePay are not protected. Record all agreed terms in the agreement version you both accept and keep relevant evidence in Flatmate chat. Any change must be recorded in a new version accepted by both parties. Review the full SecurePay terms and selected policy in the app before accepting or paying.

9. Communication

9.1 In-App Messaging

• All direct communication between users about listings, enquiries, inspections and accommodation arrangements must take place through Flatmate's in-app direct messages (DMs), including the in-app calling features available from those conversations. Do not direct users to external messaging services to continue these discussions.
• Do not publish mobile or telephone numbers, social media handles, or other off-platform contact details in Threads, comments, listings or other public content unless Flatmate expressly requests them through an official platform feature. Any such request permits use only for the purpose and in the location specified by Flatmate.
• Flatmate reserves the right to edit or redact posts and other public user content to remove mobile or telephone numbers, social media handles and other contact details that do not meet that exception. We may also pause or remove the affected content and restrict accounts that repeatedly attempt to bypass this rule.
• Messages (text, images, voice notes, videos, documents, listing and profile shares) are stored on our servers.
• We do not read or monitor your private messages except when investigating a report or complying with a legal obligation.

9.2 Voice & Video Calls

• Calls are facilitated through Agora and require microphone (and camera, for video) permissions on your device.
• Call metadata (duration, participants, timestamps) is logged. Call audio and video streams are not recorded or stored by Flatmate.

9.3 Notifications

• By using the Platform, you consent to receiving push notifications for messages, matches, payment updates, and other service-related alerts.
• You may disable push notifications at any time via your device settings.
• We may also send transactional emails (welcome, payment confirmations, connection alerts). These are necessary for the operation of the service and cannot be opted out of while your account is active.

10. User Content

• You retain ownership of all content you create or upload to Flatmate (photos, messages, bios, reviews, listing descriptions).
• By posting content, you grant Flatmate a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable licence to use, reproduce, modify, display, and distribute your content solely in connection with operating and improving the Platform.
• You represent that you have the right to post all content you upload and that it does not infringe the rights of any third party.
• We may edit, redact, pause, hide or remove posts, listings and other user content that violates these Terms, including after reviewing user reports. This includes removing prohibited contact details under section 9.1 and pausing or removing inaccurate or poorly presented listings, or posts associated with unanswered listing enquiries, under section 6. We may act without prior notice where necessary to address abuse, suspected fraud or a safety risk, subject to applicable law.

11. Buddy Requests & Social Features

• You may send buddy requests to pair up with another seeker for a joint search. The recipient may accept or decline at their discretion.
• Search parties allow groups of seekers to search together. All participants must consent to joining.
• Nests (household groups) enable shared communication for roommates living together. Participation is voluntary.

12. Reviews & Ratings

• You may leave a review for a flatmate after 30 days of living together.
• Reviews must be honest, fair, and based on your genuine experience. Fake, defamatory, or retaliatory reviews are prohibited.
• Anonymous reviews are permitted. Your identity will not be disclosed to the reviewed user if you select the anonymous option.
• We reserve the right to remove reviews that violate these Terms.

13. Rental Agreements

• Flatmate may facilitate the creation of rental agreements between seekers and listers, including digital signatures.
• Agreements generated through the Platform are between the parties involved. Flatmate is not a party to any rental agreement and bears no liability for the obligations created therein.
• It is your responsibility to ensure any agreement complies with applicable tenancy laws in your state.

14. Safety, Reporting & Blocking

• You may block any user at any time. Blocked users cannot message you or view your profile.
• You may report users for harassment, spam, fake profiles, inappropriate content, scam or fraud, or any other concern.
• We investigate reports and may take action including warnings, content removal, temporary suspension, or permanent account termination.
• Filing false or malicious reports may result in action against your own account.

15. Intellectual Property

• The Flatmate name, logo, design, features, and all related intellectual property are owned by Boldswitch LTD and protected under Nigerian and international intellectual property laws.
• You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or create derivative works based on any part of the Platform without our prior written consent.

16. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We do not warrant or guarantee:

• That you will find a flatmate, property, or tenant through the Platform
• The accuracy, truthfulness, or reliability of any user's profile, listing, review, or verification status
• The condition, legality, or safety of any property listed on the Platform
• Uninterrupted, error-free, or secure access to the Platform

While we verify user identities through NIN, document, and liveness checks, we do not conduct criminal background checks, credit checks, or tenancy history checks. You are responsible for exercising your own judgement when interacting with other users and viewing properties.

17. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Nigerian law, Boldswitch LTD, its directors, officers, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from or related to:

• Your use of or inability to use the Platform
• Any interaction, arrangement, or dispute between users
• Property conditions, rental terms, or financial losses related to accommodation
• Unauthorised access to your account due to your failure to protect your credentials
• Service interruptions, data loss, or errors caused by third-party providers
• Actions of other users, including misrepresentation, fraud, or breach of agreement

Our total aggregate liability for any claim arising from these Terms shall not exceed the amount you have paid to Flatmate in the 12 months preceding the claim.

18. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Boldswitch LTD, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Content you post or share on the Platform
• Any rental arrangement or dispute with another user

19. Account Suspension & Termination

• If we detect abuse, a breach of these Terms or conduct that harms the Flatmate community, we reserve the right to impose restrictions on your account or use of the Platform. Flatmate determines the type, scope and duration of those restrictions based on the nature and severity of the conduct, subject to applicable law. Measures may include warnings, posting or messaging limits, reduced visibility, credit requirements for Threads posts, restrictions on listings or other features, temporary suspension, or permanent removal and blocking from the Platform.
• Flatmate may permanently terminate your account and block you from using the Platform if you fail to comply with these Terms or the community rules communicated by Flatmate. You must not create or use another account to evade a restriction, suspension or ban.
• Any account proven, on the evidence reviewed by Flatmate, to be directly or indirectly involved in a scam will be permanently banned. This includes participation in, facilitation of, or support for fraudulent listings, communications or transactions. We may restrict or suspend an account while investigating suspected fraud.
• We may act without prior notice where necessary to address abuse, suspected fraud or a safety risk, subject to applicable law. If you believe a moderation decision was made in error, you may request a review by contacting [email protected]. Requesting a review does not automatically restore content or account access.
• You may delete your account at any time through the app settings. Upon deletion, your data will be handled as described in our Privacy Policy.
• Upon termination, any unused credits in your account are forfeited and non-refundable, except as required by applicable law.
• Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination (including liability, indemnification, and intellectual property) shall continue to apply.

Nothing in these moderation or restriction provisions excludes or limits any consumer right, remedy or other protection that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

20. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes through the app, email, or by posting the updated Terms on this page. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

21. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

• These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
• Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall first be submitted to good-faith mediation. If mediation fails, the dispute shall be resolved in the courts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

22. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

23. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Boldswitch LTD regarding your use of the Platform, and supersede all prior agreements, representations, and understandings.

24. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, contact us at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 15 Steve Orosanye Street, Gwarinpa 012340, 4th Avenue, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria