Platform Terms
of Service

1. Company Information and Definitions

1.1 Company Information

These Platform Terms of Service ("Terms") govern access to and use of the Flatmaters platform and all related services. The platform is operated by Flatmaters OÜ, a company incorporated in Estonia under e-residency, trading under the commercial name Flatmaters ("Flatmaters", "the Company", "the Platform", or "the Service Provider").

Flatmaters operates as an international digital accommodation marketplace connecting property owners, administrators, and authorized property representatives with international students seeking medium-term furnished housing. Flatmaters acts solely as a technical and administrative intermediary platform.

Flatmaters is committed to creating a fair, transparent, and reliable accommodation experience for all parties. Its processes are designed to balance the legitimate interests of Property Owners and Students, acting in good faith and with proportionality in all operational and dispute-related decisions.

Flatmaters operates internationally. Legal conditions applicable to each rental relationship may vary by jurisdiction. The laws of the jurisdiction where the property is located govern the Rental Agreement.

1.2 Legal Acceptance

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between the user and Flatmaters. Acceptance occurs by: creating an account; publishing a Listing or accepting the Listing Agreement; making or confirming a Booking; or using the Platform in any capacity. Continued use following any update constitutes acceptance of the revised version.

1.3 Contractual Framework and Document Hierarchy

These Terms, together with the Listing Agreement and the Rental Agreement, form the complete contractual framework governing use of the Platform. In the event of conflict:

• the Listing Agreement prevails over these Terms for matters specifically governing the Property Owner's participation on the Platform
• the Rental Agreement prevails over these Terms for matters governing the rental relationship between the Property Owner and the Student
• these Terms prevail for all matters relating to Platform use, fees, liability, and dispute resolution not specifically addressed in the other documents

1.4 Definitions

"Flatmaters" means Flatmaters OÜ, acting as a technical and administrative intermediary platform.

"Platform" refers to the Flatmaters website, booking systems, communication channels, applications, and all related digital services.

"Student" refers to any individual booking or seeking to book accommodation through the Platform.

"Property Owner" or "Owner" refers to any individual or legal entity with valid legal authority to list and rent a property, including owners, administrators, and holders of power of attorney or equivalent authorization.

"Booking Fee" refers to the payment made by the Student at the time of Booking, equivalent to one month of rent at the Final Price. Upon the Student's arrival it is re-designated as the Security Deposit. Its full lifecycle is described in Sections 6.1 and 11.

"Security Deposit" refers to the guarantee constituted upon the Student's arrival by re-designation of the Booking Fee. The Student has the right to restitution of the net balance after all validated deductions under Section 11.

"Rental Agreement" refers to the standardized residential lease contract generated automatically by Flatmaters upon Booking confirmation, on behalf of and as authorized representative of the Property Owner.

"Base Price" refers to the rental price set by the Property Owner in their chosen currency (EUR or CLP by default).

"Reference Price" refers to the Base Price displayed to the Student in the Owner's original currency, for transparency.

"Final Price" refers to the total amount displayed to and payable by the Student in their selected currency, incorporating the Base Price, the Flatmaters commission, and a calculated exchange rate buffer designed to maintain price stability throughout the rental period.

"Semester Period" refers to the availability periods defined per Listing (currently approximately February to July and July to December).

"Inventory" refers to the documented record of the accommodation's condition submitted by the Owner as described in Section 10.

2. Scope of Services and Role of Flatmaters

2.1 Services Provided

Flatmaters provides: publication and international promotion of listings; digital marketplace for student accommodation; Booking Request management; automatic generation of standardized Rental Agreements on behalf of Property Owners; payment processing and coordination; Security Deposit custody; communication tools; mediation support; and review and rating system.

2.2 Role of Flatmaters

Flatmaters operates exclusively as a digital intermediary platform and technical and administrative facilitator. It is not a landlord, property owner, real estate agency, or property manager. Flatmaters does not own, lease, or possess any listed property.

Nothing in these Terms shall be interpreted as creating an agency, fiduciary, partnership, joint venture, employment, or property management relationship between Flatmaters and any user. Flatmaters does not exercise control, possession, or decision-making authority over properties, tenants, or rental execution. The Property Owner retains full control over the property at all times, executes the physical delivery of the accommodation, and bears full operational and legal responsibility for it.

The operational involvement of Flatmaters in payment coordination, document generation, deposit handling, or dispute mediation shall not, under any circumstances, be interpreted as the assumption of landlord, property management, or property administration responsibilities under any applicable law.

2.3 Rental Agreement Generation

By publishing a Listing and accepting the Listing Agreement, Property Owners grant Flatmaters an irrevocable limited mandate for administrative contract generation purposes only, without assumption of contractual liability by Flatmaters. This mandate authorizes Flatmaters to automatically generate a Rental Agreement with the Student upon Booking confirmation, acting as the Owner's authorized representative. The Rental Agreement reflects strictly the terms defined in the Listing.

Property Owners may review and download the generated Rental Agreement at any time through their platform profile. Flatmaters is not a party to the Rental Agreement in its own right. All legal rights and obligations arising from the Rental Agreement remain exclusively between the Property Owner and the Student.

3. Platform Accounts and Eligibility

3.1 Eligibility – Students

Students must be at least 18 years of age at registration. Students may be required to provide: valid government-issued identification; proof of university enrollment or acceptance letter; and any other documentation reasonably requested by Flatmaters.

3.2 Eligibility – Property Owners

Property Owners must hold valid legal authority to list and rent the accommodation. By publishing a Listing, the Owner warrants that they hold such authority. Property Owners may be required to provide: valid identification; proof of ownership or authorization; and any other documentation reasonably requested by Flatmaters.

3.3 Account Responsibility

Users agree to provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information at all times. Users are responsible for the confidentiality of their credentials and all activity conducted through their account.

3.4 Account Modification and Deletion

Users may modify or delete their account at any time, subject to: no deletion while a Booking is in progress (from confirmation until the Security Deposit is fully resolved); account deletion does not extinguish existing financial or contractual obligations; and Flatmaters may retain data for legal or regulatory compliance as described in the Privacy Policy.

3.5 Prohibited Activities

Users may not: provide false or misleading information; use the Platform for unlawful purposes; attempt to bypass Flatmaters' services or payment systems; engage in fraudulent, abusive, or discriminatory behavior; attempt unauthorized access to Platform systems; or create multiple accounts for the same person or entity.

3.6 Anti-Bypass and Commission Protection

Property Owners and Students may not circumvent the Platform to avoid fees, commissions, or any obligation arising from a relationship initiated through Flatmaters. This prohibition covers direct rental agreements outside the Platform, renewals or extensions between parties who first connected through the Platform, and any arrangement designed to continue a rental relationship while avoiding Platform fees.

This obligation applies for 18 months from the date of the last Rental Agreement mediated by Flatmaters between the relevant parties. Where bypass is identified, Flatmaters is entitled to invoice and collect the full commission for the bypassed period, claim additional documented damages, suspend or terminate accounts, and pursue legal action.

3.7 Reviews and Ratings

Upon completion of a stay, both Students and Property Owners may submit a review through the Platform. Reviews must be truthful, respectful, and based on direct personal experience. Flatmaters reserves the right to remove reviews containing false information or abusive language.

3.8 Identity Verification, Fraud Prevention and AML Compliance

Flatmaters reserves the right to conduct identity verification checks on any user at any time and may suspend or terminate a transaction, Booking, or account if suspicious activity is detected, including suspected identity fraud, misrepresentation, unusual payment patterns, or money laundering indicators. Flatmaters may be required by law to report certain activities to competent authorities. Flatmaters is not liable for inconvenience caused by a suspension carried out in good faith under this section.

4. Listings

4.1 Listing Agreement

To publish a Listing, Property Owners must accept the Listing Agreement, which governs the specific terms of their participation and supplements these Terms.

4.2 Listing Requirements

Property Owners must provide complete, accurate, and truthful information at publication, including: current photographs representing the real condition; accurate description of the unit; a clear specification of all utilities (included, included with cap, or paid separately); all property rules; whether the Owner or any permanent occupant resides in the property; and any other condition that may materially affect the Student's use. All information must be kept current.

4.3 Property Rules

Property Owners may include specific rules in their Listing. Rules must not violate applicable local law or tenants' legal rights, and must not unreasonably restrict normal residential use. Once a Booking is confirmed for any unit within a property, no conditions may be modified for that Booking or for any other units in the same property.

4.4 Intellectual Property of Listing Content

By uploading content to the Platform, Property Owners grant Flatmaters a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and display such content for operating, promoting, and marketing the Platform. Property Owners warrant that they hold all necessary rights over uploaded content.

4.5 Pricing

Property Owners set the Base Price in their chosen currency. Flatmaters adds its commission and applies a calculated exchange rate buffer to produce the Final Price displayed to the Student. The Reference Price shown in the Owner's currency provides transparency. The Final Price is fixed for each confirmed Booking. In the event of extreme exchange rate variations, Flatmaters reserves the right to adjust the Final Price before a new Booking is confirmed, with prior communication to the Student.

5. Booking Process

5.1 Availability Calendar

Property Owners are solely responsible for managing the availability calendar. By opening a calendar period, the Owner signals availability and willingness to receive Booking Requests.

5.2 Booking Request and Acceptance Window

When a Student submits a Booking Request, they must include a brief personal introduction. The Owner has 24 hours to reject it, subject to any longer period required by applicable law. If no rejection is submitted within 24 hours, the Booking is automatically confirmed upon receipt of the Booking Fee. Rejection during the window carries no penalty.

5.3 Booking Confirmation and Rental Agreement

A Booking is confirmed upon expiry of the 24-hour window without rejection and receipt of the Booking Fee. The Rental Agreement is automatically generated and available in both parties' platform profiles. It reflects the Listing terms including rental period, Final Price, Base Price, Reference Price, included utilities, and property rules. The Inventory is incorporated as a binding annex once accepted under Section 10. Users with questions may contact contact@flatmaters.com.

5.4 Semester Periods

Accommodations are offered exclusively on a full Semester Period basis. Partial semester rentals are not accepted unless otherwise agreed in writing with Flatmaters. Rent is calculated on the basis of the full Semester Period.

6. Payments – Students

6.1 Booking Fee

To confirm a Booking, the Student must pay a Booking Fee equivalent to one month of rent at the Final Price. Upon receipt: 50% is transferred to the Property Owner as soon as practicable; 50% is retained by Flatmaters.

If the Student does not arrive without a confirmed Force Majeure reason under Section 9.3, the Booking Fee is forfeited in full: the Property Owner retains their 50% and Flatmaters retains its 50% as compensation. The non-refundable nature of the Booking Fee reflects the opportunity cost to the Property Owner of having removed the accommodation from the market for the entire reservation period, and the operational costs incurred by Flatmaters in processing and managing the Booking.

If the Student arrives and signs the Rental Agreement, the full Booking Fee is re-designated as the Security Deposit (Section 11). This re-designation constitutes a novation of purpose, not of ownership: the funds transition from a reservation guarantee to a habitability and performance guarantee.

6.2 Monthly Rent Payments

Each monthly rental period runs from the 20th of one month to the 20th of the following month. Rent must be paid between the 20th and 25th of the month in which that period begins. The first monthly payment is due on the day of arrival, at the moment of signing the Rental Agreement. If the Student arrives 7 or more calendar days after the official start date, the first monthly payment must be completed on or before the official start date.

6.3 Late Payment Penalty

If the monthly rent is not received by Flatmaters by the 25th, a late payment penalty of 1% of the monthly rent amount will be applied for each calendar day of delay from the 26th, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, subject to judicial moderation where required by applicable law, or reduced to the maximum legally enforceable amount if lower.

If the full payment has not been received by the last calendar day of the month, Flatmaters is entitled to terminate the Rental Agreement immediately without further notice. The Student then forfeits the Security Deposit in full, and the 100 EUR per day non-vacating penalty under Section 15.5 applies. Exceptions require prior written acceptance by Flatmaters.

6.4 Advance Payments

Students may choose to pay multiple months in advance solely at their own request. Such advance payments are governed by the early departure clause in Section 9.4 and are only refundable in cases of confirmed Force Majeure under Section 9.3.

6.5 Payment Methods

Students may pay by bank transfer or credit/debit card. Card payments may incur a processing surcharge, displayed clearly prior to confirmation. Flatmaters uses third-party payment processors including Wise and international bank transfer systems. Flatmaters is not responsible for delays, fees, or deductions applied by third-party providers.

7. Payments – Property Owners

7.1 Payment Schedule

Flatmaters transfers each monthly rent payment to the Property Owner between the 5th and 10th day of the month following the start of the relevant rental period, subject to prior receipt of the Student payment. For example, rent for February 20–March 20 is transferred between March 5 and March 10. Before transferring, Flatmaters deducts its commission, applicable conversion fees, and any other amounts validly owed by the Owner. The net amount corresponds to the Base Price minus these deductions.

7.2 Currency of Payment

Payments to Property Owners are made in the currency specified in the Listing Agreement. At the Owner's written request, Flatmaters may arrange payment in an alternative currency, subject to availability. Additional conversion fees may apply and will be communicated prior to processing.

7.3 Commission

The commission structure is defined in the Listing Agreement and covers platform operation, marketing, booking management, Rental Agreement generation, and payment processing. Commission applies to all reservations generated through the Platform, including any continuation of a rental relationship within the 18-month anti-bypass period.

7.4 Payment Defaults

Flatmaters does not guarantee rent payments by Students and is not financially liable for Student payment defaults. Flatmaters will make reasonable efforts to follow up on late payments and may suspend the Student's Platform access.

8. Property Owner Cancellation and Penalties

8.1 Commitment to Confirmed Bookings

Once a Booking is confirmed, the Property Owner is legally bound to make the accommodation available on the agreed dates. Cancellation constitutes a serious contractual breach and may result in financial penalties, account suspension, Listing removal, or permanent exclusion from the Platform.

8.2 Cancellation Penalties

Penalties are calculated on the monthly Base Price and apply per unit reserved. They represent minimum compensation and do not limit the right of affected parties to claim additional documented losses:

• 90+ calendar days before start: no financial penalty. The Owner must refund all amounts received.
• 60–89 calendar days before start: refund all amounts received plus a penalty of 1 month Base Price.
• Fewer than 60 calendar days before start: refund all amounts received plus a penalty of 2 months Base Price.
• At or after arrival date, or interruption during rental: a penalty of 3 months Base Price. Flatmaters may deduct applicable penalties from amounts owed to the Owner.

8.3 Property Not Available at Arrival

If the accommodation is not available on the agreed arrival date for reasons attributable to the Owner, the Booking is automatically cancelled, all payments must be refunded in full, and the applicable penalty under Section 8.2 applies.

9. Student Cancellation and Early Departure

9.1 Cancellation Before Arrival

The Booking Fee is non-refundable in all cases of cancellation before arrival. Monthly rent paid in advance is only refundable in cases of confirmed Force Majeure under Section 9.3.

9.2 Student No-Show

If the Student fails to arrive without prior communication or a confirmed Force Majeure reason, the Booking is treated as cancelled. The full Booking Fee is forfeited: the Property Owner retains their 50% and Flatmaters retains its 50% as compensation.

9.3 Force Majeure – Student

Force Majeure is defined strictly as a circumstance that is: (a) entirely beyond the Student's control; (b) not foreseeable at the time of Booking; and (c) that objectively and permanently prevents the Student from residing at the accommodation. The following is a closed list of automatically qualifying circumstances:

• (i) Serious physical incapacity: permanent or long-term physical disability making the specific accommodation objectively unsuitable. Required: medical certificate specifying the incapacity and its incompatibility with the accommodation.
• (ii) Government-mandated restriction: binding order legally preventing the Student from remaining in the country (border closure, deportation order). Required: official resolution from issuing authority.
• (iii) Involuntary loss of enrollment: caused exclusively by closure, dissolution, or loss of accreditation of the institution. Voluntary withdrawal, academic failure, or disciplinary exclusion do not qualify. Required: official certificate from the institution.
• (iv) Official declaration of uninhabitability: by a competent authority resulting from natural disaster, fire, or structural failure not attributable to the Student. This is the only cause not requiring 30 days' notice. Required: official declaration.

The death of the Student renders the Rental Agreement void by operation of law. Visa and immigration matters are the exclusive responsibility of the Student and do not automatically constitute Force Majeure. Flatmaters strongly recommends that Students take out travel and cancellation insurance covering visa rejection before confirming a Booking. Flatmaters may, at its discretion acting reasonably and in good faith, consider visa-related circumstances on an exceptional individual basis.

Residual clause: circumstances not listed above but that objectively and permanently prevent the Student from residing at the accommodation may be evaluated individually by Flatmaters, acting reasonably and in good faith. If Flatmaters' determination is unfavorable to the Student, the Student may refer the matter to mediation through the ODR platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr or another agreed independent mediation service.

Mandatory requirements (all causes except (iv)): 30 calendar days' written notice prior to departure; official documentation submitted within the same period; Force Majeure may not be invoked retroactively; documentation not in English or Spanish requires a certified translation.

Where Force Majeure is confirmed: advance rent for periods not yet commenced will be refunded less administrative costs; the Security Deposit will be returned net of rent owed, validated damages, and other outstanding amounts. The Booking Fee is non-refundable under all circumstances including Force Majeure. Flatmaters' determination shall be binding for the purposes of platform operation, without prejudice to any rights the parties may have under applicable law.

9.4 Early Departure – Standard Cases

The Rental Agreement is a fixed-term contract for a specific academic Semester Period. The Student has knowingly committed to the full duration at Booking, and the Property Owner has reserved the accommodation exclusively for that period. Early departure without a confirmed Force Majeure reason constitutes a breach of a fixed-term commitment:

• With 30+ calendar days' written notice (or longer period as required by applicable local law): the Student is liable for rent covering those 30 days of notice. The Security Deposit is forfeited in full.
• Without 30 calendar days' notice: the Student is liable for (i) rent for 30 days from the actual date of departure; (ii) forfeiture of the Security Deposit in full; and (iii) one additional month of rent at the Final Price as indemnification, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law or the maximum legally enforceable amount if lower.

Advance rent payments apply to cover obligations under this clause and are not separately refundable. Upon early departure, Flatmaters may, with the Property Owner's agreement, re-publish the accommodation. If a replacement Student commences occupancy, the departing Student's rent obligations for the period from the replacement Student's arrival cease. Re-letting is not an obligation of Flatmaters and depends on the Owner's decision.

10. Property Conditions, Arrival and Inventory

10.1 Property Must Correspond to Listing

The accommodation delivered must correspond substantially to what was advertised in the Listing. Material differences are not permitted, including: a different room or property, missing furniture, undisclosed occupants, non-functional utilities, unsafe or insanitary conditions, or any condition that would reasonably have been decisive to the Student's Booking decision.

10.2 Inventory Process

The Property Owner must upload an Inventory (written lists, photographs, and/or videos of all rooms, furniture, equipment, and shared spaces) to a cloud storage folder and send the shared link to Flatmaters no later than the day of the first Student's arrival. Once the link is shared, the contents at that moment constitute the official Inventory. Files added after sharing will not be recognized.

Flatmaters shares the Inventory with the Student upon receipt. The Student has 48 hours from sharing to submit written observations with supporting evidence, subject to any longer period required by applicable law or reasonably justified circumstances communicated in writing. If no observations are submitted, the Inventory is considered accepted. The accepted Inventory forms a binding annex to the Rental Agreement.

10.3 Discrepancy Reporting – 48-Hour Window

Students have 48 hours from physical arrival to report any material discrepancy between the Listing and the actual property (subject to any longer period required by law or reasonably justified circumstances in writing). If a material discrepancy is confirmed: the Property Owner must refund the full amount paid by the Student; the Property Owner must pay additional compensation of 1 month of the Student's Final Price; and Flatmaters will assist in finding alternative accommodation where possible.

10.4 Platform Inspection Rights

Flatmaters reserves the right to request documentation at any time and to conduct virtual or in-person inspections with prior written notice to verify Listing accuracy. Failure to cooperate may result in Listing suspension or removal.

11. Security Deposit

11.1 Constitution and Custody

Upon the Student's arrival and signature of the Rental Agreement, the Booking Fee is re-designated as the Security Deposit:

• 50% remains with the Property Owner, acting as custodian against potential damages or unpaid obligations
• 50% remains with Flatmaters, acting as neutral custodian

The Student has the right to restitution of the net balance after all validated deductions under this Section. Neither party may use their portion for any purpose other than those expressly permitted under these Terms. Where mandatory local law imposes rules on security deposits that are incompatible with this arrangement, Flatmaters reserves the right to adapt the structure, including transferring full custody to the Property Owner if required by mandatory local law, without affecting the Student's entitlement to the net balance after validated deductions.

11.2 Damage Assessment Process

Step 1 – Damage Report (within 5 calendar days of departure, unless a justified extension is granted in writing by Flatmaters): the Owner must submit photographs of all claimed damage, a detailed description of each item, and an initial cost estimate. No claim submitted after this window will be accepted.

Step 2 – Estimates (within 15 calendar days of departure): the Owner must submit written repair estimates or quotes from third-party suppliers for each item reported in Step 1.

Step 3 – Validation and Return: Flatmaters reviews the claim against the Inventory and evidence, acting reasonably and in good faith, and validates eligible items. The Owner returns the remaining balance of their 50% to Flatmaters with final invoices within 30 calendar days of the end of the rental period. Flatmaters returns the full net amount to the Student within 30 business days of the end of the rental period.

11.3 Damages Not Attributable to a Specific Resident

In shared accommodations where damage cannot be attributed to a specific Student, the validated cost is divided equally among all Students residing during the month in which the damage occurred.

11.4 Excess Damages

If validated damages exceed the Property Owner's 50%, Flatmaters may, acting reasonably and in good faith, release its 50% to cover the excess. If total validated damages exceed the full Security Deposit, the Student remains liable for the outstanding balance.

11.5 Unjustified Retention

Failure to return the applicable balance to Flatmaters within 30 calendar days will result in interest of 1% per month on the retained amount. Persistent non-compliance may result in payment withholding, Listing suspension, or permanent removal from the Platform.

11.6 Non-Deductible Items

The following may not be deducted: deterioration from normal use; repairs that are the Owner's responsibility under Section 12; items not in the accepted Inventory; claims submitted after the 5-day window; and items without photographic evidence and a third-party estimate or invoice.

12. Maintenance, Repairs and Utilities

12.1 Property Owner Maintenance Obligations

Property Owners are responsible for maintaining the accommodation in safe, habitable, and fully functional condition throughout the rental period. Urgent issues must be addressed immediately. Non-urgent repairs must be completed within 20 calendar days of notification.

12.2 Student-Initiated Urgent Repairs

If a repair affects habitability and the Owner has failed to act within 20 calendar days of notification through Flatmaters, the Student may arrange the repair independently, subject to: (a) photographic evidence of the defect; (b) a written estimate shared with Flatmaters before proceeding; and (c) final invoice submitted upon completion. Upon validation, the repair cost will be deducted from the Student's next monthly payment and from the next payment due to the Owner. This right applies exclusively to repairs affecting habitability.

12.3 Utilities

The Listing must clearly define utility conditions: fully included; included with a defined monthly cap per Student; or paid directly by the Student. No utility charge may be introduced or modified after a Booking is confirmed.

12.4 Property Visits

The Property Owner may access the accommodation only with a minimum of 7 calendar days' prior written notice at mutually agreed times. Emergency access is permitted without prior notice provided Flatmaters and the Student are notified as soon as possible.

13. Termination of the Rental Agreement

13.1 Termination by the Property Owner

The Property Owner may terminate the Rental Agreement only on the following grounds, after issuing written notice through Flatmaters:

• non-payment of rent following termination under Section 6.3
• use of the property for non-residential or illegal purposes
• unauthorized subletting or transfer of the reservation
• serious damage caused by the Student, their dependents, or guests, evidenced by the Inventory
• repeated violation of property rules despite at least one prior written warning
• any illegal activity by the Student in connection with the accommodation

13.2 Termination by the Student

The Student may terminate only on the following grounds:

• material discrepancy confirmed by Flatmaters under Section 10.3
• confirmed Force Majeure event under Section 9.3
• serious breach of the Owner's maintenance obligations under Section 12.1, where the Owner has failed to act within 20 calendar days and the breach materially affects habitability
• official declaration of uninhabitability under Section 9.3(iv)

Early departure for any other reason is governed by Section 9.4.

13.3 Consequences of Termination

Upon termination, the Student must vacate promptly and return all keys and access codes. The Security Deposit process in Section 11 applies. Flatmaters will coordinate the termination and may assist in finding alternative accommodation where termination is attributable to the Owner or Force Majeure.

14. Property Owner Obligations

14.1 General Obligations

• holding valid legal authority to list and rent throughout the Listing period
• ensuring the accommodation is furnished, clean, habitable, and compliant with applicable local regulations
• ensuring the Listing accurately represents the accommodation and is kept up to date
• making the accommodation available on agreed dates in agreed condition
• completing the Inventory process under Section 10.2
• managing the availability calendar accurately
• treating Students with respect and professionalism
• complying with all applicable local laws including rental regulations, tax obligations, safety standards, and licensing requirements

14.2 Prohibition on Unauthorized Charges

Property Owners may not request or collect any payment from Students beyond the amounts established in the confirmed Listing. Prohibited charges include brokerage fees, utility charges beyond those defined in the Listing, and additional deposits not specified in the Listing. The only additional permitted charge is a visit fee clearly stated in the property rules before the Booking, for voluntary and mutually agreed visits.

14.3 No Guarantee of Occupancy

Flatmaters does not guarantee occupancy, booking volume, rental income, or the number of Bookings for any Listing. Publishing a Listing does not create any expectation or obligation on the part of Flatmaters to secure Students.

14.4 Insurance Recommendation

Flatmaters strongly recommends that Property Owners maintain an active civil liability insurance policy and, where applicable, a landlord insurance policy for the duration of any active Listing and rental period. Flatmaters does not offer or arrange insurance products.

15. Student Obligations

15.1 General Obligations

• comply with these Terms, the Rental Agreement, and Booking conditions
• use the accommodation exclusively for lawful residential and personal purposes
• maintain the accommodation in good condition and report damage promptly
• pay rent and all applicable charges on time
• respect house rules, co-living conditions, and the rights of other occupants
• comply with all applicable local laws
• provide the required notice in the event of early departure
• return the accommodation in the same condition as received, subject to normal wear and tear

15.2 Joint and Several Liability

Where two or more Students book an entire property as a single unit together, they assume joint and several liability for all obligations arising from the Rental Agreement.

15.3 Prohibited Uses

Students may not: sublet or transfer their reservation; use the accommodation for commercial or illegal activities; or organize events or host long-term guests without express authorization from the Property Owner. Violations may result in immediate termination and forfeiture of the Security Deposit.

15.4 Damages and Financial Responsibility

Students are financially responsible for damage caused by their own actions or omissions, or those of their guests. If the responsible individual cannot be identified among multiple co-tenants, costs will be shared equitably.

15.5 Check-Out Obligations

At the end of the stay, the Student must: vacate by the agreed end date; leave all spaces clean and in the condition recorded in the Inventory; remove all personal belongings; and return all keys and access codes. Failure to vacate by the end date will result in a penalty of 100 EUR per day of delay, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law or the maximum legally enforceable amount if lower. Exceptions require prior written approval from Flatmaters.

15.6 Insurance Recommendation

Flatmaters strongly recommends that Students maintain a valid personal civil liability insurance policy and a travel and cancellation insurance policy covering visa rejection and unexpected early departure. Flatmaters does not offer or arrange insurance products.

15.7 Immigration, Visa and Regulatory Compliance

Students are solely responsible for ensuring their legal right to reside in the country during the rental period, including compliance with immigration laws, visa requirements, and residency registration. Flatmaters does not manage or assume any responsibility for immigration or visa matters. Students are also solely responsible for any applicable tax obligations in the relevant jurisdiction.

16. Flatmaters: Role, Platform Control and Limitation of Liability

16.1 Intermediary and Facilitator Role

Flatmaters acts exclusively as a digital intermediary platform and technical and administrative facilitator. It does not own or manage listed properties and is not a party to the Rental Agreement in its own right.

16.2 Platform Control

Flatmaters reserves the right, at its sole discretion and without obligation to justify to users, to modify, update, or discontinue any Platform feature at any time; determine how prices are displayed and payments structured; and set, adjust, or waive fees and commissions for future transactions. Such modifications do not affect confirmed Bookings already in force.

16.3 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Flatmaters shall not be liable for: the condition, maintenance, or habitability of listed properties; property damages, rent defaults, or contractual breaches by either party; banking delays, payment provider errors, or currency fluctuations; indirect or consequential damages; temporary Platform unavailability; acts or omissions of third parties including building staff, neighbors, or utility providers; or theft, burglary, vandalism, or any other criminal acts by third parties.

Flatmaters' total liability in connection with any specific Booking shall not exceed the higher of: (a) the total commissions actually received by Flatmaters in relation to that specific Booking up to the moment of the relevant incident; or (b) EUR 500. This limitation does not apply to liability arising from Flatmaters' own proven fraud or willful misconduct, or where a higher amount is required by mandatory applicable law.

16.4 Penalties as Minimum

The penalties in these Terms constitute minimum compensation amounts and do not limit the right of the affected party or Flatmaters to claim additional documented damages where actual losses exceed the stipulated amounts.

16.5 Third-Party Security Events

Events compromising security or habitability caused by third parties (theft, criminal acts, structural failures, flooding, pest infestation, fire, vandalism) are entirely external to Flatmaters. The Student's rights lie against the Property Owner and relevant third parties. Flatmaters may, but is not required to, assist in coordinating communication or facilitating relocation.

16.6 Owner Responsibility for Local Legal Compliance

Flatmaters provides standardized Rental Agreement templates that may not fully reflect all local legal requirements. Property Owners are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable local laws. Property Owners requiring locally compliant contracts should obtain independent legal advice.

16.7 Right to Suspend or Remove Listings

Flatmaters reserves the right, at its sole discretion acting reasonably, to suspend Listings, remove properties, block Booking Requests, or restrict a Property Owner's access in cases of: legal risk or regulatory non-compliance; misleading Listing information; safety concerns; repeated non-compliance; unauthorized charges; or platform integrity protection.

16.8 Platform Availability

Flatmaters does not guarantee uninterrupted access to the Platform. Flatmaters will make reasonable efforts to minimize downtime but is not liable for any loss resulting from temporary unavailability.

16.9 Force Majeure – Flatmaters

Flatmaters shall not be liable for failures or delays caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including natural disasters, government actions, pandemic, war, or internet infrastructure failures.

17. Dispute Resolution and Legal Framework

17.1 Good Faith Resolution

All parties agree to attempt to resolve disputes in good faith through direct communication and, where applicable, Flatmaters' mediation support, before initiating formal proceedings.

17.2 Disputes Between Property Owners and Students

Disputes arising exclusively from the Rental Agreement are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where the property is located and may be pursued directly between the parties before the courts of that jurisdiction, without involving Flatmaters unless mediation support is requested.

17.3 Disputes Involving Flatmaters – Property Owners (B2B)

Disputes between Flatmaters and Property Owners that cannot be resolved through good-faith negotiation shall be submitted to binding arbitration administered by the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Eesti Kaubandus-Tõostuskoda). The arbitration shall be conducted in English. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding.

17.4 Disputes Involving Flatmaters – Students (B2C)

Disputes between Flatmaters and Students shall follow this escalation process:

• Step 1: good faith negotiation with Flatmaters' support team for 30 calendar days from the date the dispute is formally raised in writing
• Step 2: if unresolved, mediation through the European Online Dispute Resolution platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr (for EU consumers), or another independent mediation service agreed by the parties
• Step 3: if mediation fails or is declined, disputes shall be submitted to the competent courts of the jurisdiction where the property is located, without prejudice to any mandatory consumer protection rights applicable in the Student's country of residence

17.5 Applicable Law

These Terms and any disputes related to the Platform or Services are governed by the law applicable to Flatmaters OÜ as a company incorporated in Estonia, unless otherwise required by mandatory local law. Rental Agreement disputes are governed by the law of the jurisdiction where the property is located.

17.6 Language

These Terms are written in English as the official legal version. Translations are for convenience only. In the event of conflict, the English version prevails.

18. Platform Intellectual Property

18.1 Ownership

All intellectual property rights in and to the Flatmaters Platform, including the brand, trademarks, logos, domain names, software, technology infrastructure, booking systems, algorithms, and all proprietary processes and methodologies, are and remain the exclusive property of Flatmaters OÜ.

18.2 User-Generated Content

By uploading content to the Platform, users grant Flatmaters a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display such content for the purposes of operating, promoting, and improving the Platform. Users warrant that they hold all necessary rights and that content does not infringe third-party rights.

18.3 Restrictions

Users may not: copy, modify, or reverse-engineer any part of the Platform; use Flatmaters' brand or trademarks without prior written authorization; or scrape or systematically collect data from the Platform.

19. General Provisions

19.1 Modifications to the Terms

Flatmaters reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Updated Terms will be published on the Platform and users will be notified. Continued use following any update constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

19.2 Local Law Override

Where mandatory local residential tenancy law, consumer protection law, or other applicable mandatory legislation imposes rules that conflict with any provision of these Terms, such mandatory local law shall prevail strictly to the extent required, and solely for the relevant provision. The remaining provisions continue in full force and effect.

19.3 Severability

If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force. The invalid provision shall be replaced by a legally valid equivalent that most closely reflects the original intent.

19.4 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Listing Agreement and the Rental Agreement, constitute the entire contractual framework between users and Flatmaters, and supersede all prior communications, informal agreements, or previous platform policies, subject to the hierarchy described in Section 1.3.

19.5 Survival

Provisions relating to limitation of liability, payment obligations, commissions, Security Deposit, dispute resolution, intellectual property, and anti-bypass survive termination of Platform use or account closure.

19.6 Data Protection and Privacy

The collection, processing, and storage of personal data by Flatmaters is governed by the Flatmaters Privacy Policy. As Flatmaters OÜ is incorporated in Estonia (a member of the European Union), Flatmaters complies with the GDPR and applicable data protection laws.

19.7 Contact

Flatmaters OÜ
General inquiries & Rental Agreement clarifications: contact@flatmaters.com
Legal matters: legal@flatmaters.com
Support: support@flatmaters.com
Website: www.flatmaters.com
EU Online Dispute Resolution: ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr

19.8 Effective Date

These Terms enter into force upon publication on the Platform and apply to all users from that date.