Terms of Service

Effective date: April 6, 2026

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.

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 escrow 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

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.
• Listing photos may be watermarked by Flatmate to prevent misuse.
• We reserve the right to remove, modify, or delist any listing that violates these Terms, is reported by users, or is deemed misleading.
• 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

7.3 Purchasing Credits

• You may purchase additional credits through Paystack. 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. Payments & Escrow (SecurePay)

8.1 Escrow Service

Flatmate offers an escrow service ("SecurePay") to facilitate secure rent deposits between seekers and listers:

• Funds deposited by a seeker are held in escrow until both parties confirm the arrangement.
• The lister has a 48-hour verification window to confirm the seeker's move-in. If the lister does not confirm within 48 hours, the deposit is automatically refunded to the seeker.
• Once the lister confirms, funds are released to the lister's bank account, minus the applicable platform fee.

8.2 Platform Fees

• A platform fee of 3% is deducted from escrow payouts to the lister.
• Payment processing fees may apply and will be disclosed before you complete a transaction.

8.3 Disputes

• Either party may open a dispute during the escrow period by providing a written description and photographic evidence.
• Flatmate will review the dispute and make a determination at its sole discretion. Our decision is final.
• Disputed funds remain in escrow until the dispute is resolved.

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.

9. Communication

9.1 In-App Messaging

• 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 remove content that violates these Terms or is reported by other users, at our sole discretion and without prior notice.

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

• We may suspend or permanently terminate your account, without prior notice, if you violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or harm the Flatmate community.
• 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.
• Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination (including liability, indemnification, and intellectual property) shall continue to apply.

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