Welcome to Youth Inn

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Youth Inn platform, including our website, mobile applications, and services (collectively referred to as the “Platform”). By using the Platform, you agree to these Terms, which form a legally binding agreement. If you do not agree, you may not use the Platform.

1. About Youth Inn

1.1 What We Do:
Youth Inn provides a digital platform that facilitates connections between students seeking accommodation and landlords offering rental properties. Youth Inn does not own, control, or manage any rental properties, nor does it engage in real estate brokerage or financial transactions between users.

1.2 Our Role:
Youth Inn acts solely as an intermediary to enable communication and agreement between students and landlords. Youth Inn is not a party to rental agreements or transactions and disclaims all liability for disputes, misrepresentation, or breaches of these agreements.

2. User Roles and Responsibilities

2.1 Students:

  • Must provide accurate and up-to-date personal, academic, and financial information during registration.
  • Are responsible for verifying the conditions and terms of a rental property before entering into a lease.
  • Must comply with the terms of any rental agreement they enter into with a landlord.

2.2 Landlords:

  • Must ensure that listed properties comply with applicable laws, including California habitability standards under Civil Code § 1941.1.
  • Must provide truthful and complete information about their properties.
  • Are solely responsible for maintaining their properties and addressing tenant concerns, including habitability and safety issues.

3. Account Creation and Use

3.1 Eligibility:
Users must be 18 years or older to create an account. Students must verify their academic status (e.g., enrollment in an educational institution).

3.2 Account Accuracy:
All information provided during registration must be truthful and current. Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account credentials.

3.3 Account Suspension:
Youth Inn reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts for any violation of these Terms, fraudulent activities, or illegal conduct.

4. Listing Properties

4.1 Accuracy: Landlords must ensure that all information, including property descriptions, pricing, and images, is accurate and not misleading.

4.2 Fair Housing Compliance:
Listings must comply with federal, state, and local fair housing laws, including the prohibition of discrimination based on race, religion, gender, disability, or other protected classes.

4.3 Maintenance:
Landlords must ensure that properties meet California’s habitability standards, including functioning plumbing, heating, and safety from infestations.

5. Booking and Agreements

5.1 Direct Agreements:
Youth Inn does not facilitate booking payments or manage contracts. Agreements are directly between landlords and students.

5.2 Cancellations:

  • By Students: Students must notify landlords of cancellations in writing and comply with any agreed-upon terms.
  • By Landlords: Landlords must provide reasonable notice of cancellations and may be subject to applicable laws governing termination of rental agreements.

5.3 Disputes:
Disputes arising from bookings, deposits, or agreements must be resolved directly between the landlord and student. Youth Inn may provide optional mediation but is not responsible for enforcing agreements.

6. Payments

6.1 Direct Transactions:
All financial transactions, including rent and security deposits, must be conducted directly between the student and landlord.

6.2 Security Deposits:
Security deposits must comply with California law (Civil Code § 1950.5), including:

  • Limited deductions for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and cleaning fees.
  • Return of deposits within 21 days of move-out, accompanied by an itemized statement.

6.3 No Payment Processing:
Youth Inn does not collect or manage payments and is not liable for financial disputes, fraud, or non-payment.

7. User Conduct

7.1 Prohibited Activities:
Users may not:

  • Provide false information in profiles or listings.
  • Engage in harassment, discrimination, or fraudulent activities.
  • Violate any laws, including housing regulations or fair housing standards.

7.2 Legal Compliance:
Users must comply with all applicable laws, including but not limited to the California Tenant Protection Act and the Fair Employment and Housing Act.

8. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

8.1 Platform Use:
Youth Inn provides its Platform “as is” without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee uninterrupted access or the accuracy of information provided by users.

8.2 No Liability for Listings or Agreements:
Youth Inn is not liable for:

  • Misrepresentation or inaccuracies in property listings.
  • Breaches of rental agreements.
  • Issues related to habitability, safety, or maintenance.

8.3 Indemnification:
Users agree to indemnify and hold Youth Inn harmless from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from their use of the Platform or interactions with other users.

9. California-Specific Terms

9.1 Habitability:
Landlords must ensure that properties comply with California’s habitability standards, including working plumbing, heating, and pest control.

9.2 Rent Control and Increases:
Under the California Tenant Protection Act:

  • Annual rent increases are capped at 5% plus the local cost of living increase, not exceeding 10%.
  • Rent increases require written notice in compliance with state law.

9.3 Evictions:
Evictions in California must follow legal procedures, including “just cause” requirements for tenants who have lived in a property for more than 12 months.

10. Privacy Policy

10.1 Data Collection:
Youth Inn collects and stores user data to facilitate platform functionality. Sensitive information is securely stored and not shared with third parties without consent.

10.2 Student Verification:
Students must provide proof of academic status, which will be used solely for verification purposes.

11. Amendments

11.1 Youth Inn reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. Users will be notified of significant changes, which will take effect upon publication.

12. Governing Law

12.1 These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California. All disputes must be resolved in California courts.

Acknowledgment

By using the Youth Inn Platform, you acknowledge that:

  1. Youth Inn is not liable for property conditions, financial transactions, or disputes between users.
  2. You have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms.