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Terms of Business for Hatch a Home Limited (HATCH)

Effective Date: 26/08/2025
Last Updated: 26/08/2025

 

1. Introduction

Welcome to HATCH – a platform designed to connect people looking for a room, flatmates, or tenants based on lifestyle compatibility and verified profiles.
By creating an account or using HATCH’s services, you agree to these Terms of Business. If you do not agree, you must not use HATCH.

 

2. Definitions

  • “Platform” – the HATCH mobile application and website.

  • “User” – any person who creates an account on HATCH, including room listers, room seekers and flatmate finders. 

  • “Listing” – any advertisement for a room, property, or profile posted on HATCH.

  • “Match” / “Hatch” – a connection between two or more users facilitated by HATCH’s matching tools.

 

3. Eligibility

  • You must be 18 years or older to use HATCH.

  • You must provide accurate information, and pass any required background checks.

  • You must complete user verification to use HATCH. 

  • Hatch encourages users to provide verification plus level information. 

  • HATCH reserves the right to refuse or terminate accounts that fail verification.

 

4. Account Creation & Security

  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login details.

  • You must not share your account or impersonate another person.

  • You agree to keep your profile up to date and accurate.

 

5. Listings & Matches

  • All listings must comply with UK housing laws and must not contain false or misleading information.

  • Compatibility scores are advisory only and do not guarantee suitability.

  • HATCH is not a party to any rental agreements or living arrangements between users.

 

6. User Conduct

You agree not to:

  • Harass, abuse, discriminate, or harm other users.

  • Post or send unlawful, defamatory, or obscene content.

  • Attempt to scam, defraud, or solicit money outside the platform.

  • Circumvent safety features or verification processes.

 

7. Payments & Fees (if applicable)

  • Any fees for premium features will be clearly displayed before purchase.

  • Payments are processed securely via approved third-party payment providers.

  • Refunds will only be granted where legally required.

 

8. Content Ownership & Licence

  • You retain ownership of any photos, descriptions, and profile information you upload.

  • By posting on HATCH, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display and use your content to operate the platform.

 

9. Termination

  • We may suspend or terminate your account at any time for breach of these terms.

  • You may delete your account via the app or by contacting support.

 

10. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

  • HATCH does not vet users beyond verification checks and is not responsible for user behaviour.

  • We do not guarantee the accuracy of any listings or profiles.

  • To the fullest extent permitted by law, HATCH is not liable for any loss, damage, or injury resulting from your use of the platform or interactions with other users.

 

11. Non-Discrimination & Preferences

At HATCH, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and fair community for everyone.

Under the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful to discriminate against people based on protected characteristics, including:

  • Age

  • Disability

  • Gender reassignment

  • Marriage & civil partnership

  • Pregnancy & maternity

  • Race

  • Religion or belief

  • Sex

  • Sexual orientation

 

What this means for HATCH users:

  • You must not post listings, profiles, or messages that exclude or discourage people based on these characteristics.

  • Any content that is discriminatory, abusive, or offensive will be removed, and accounts may be suspended or banned.

 

Preferences vs. Discrimination
We recognise that flatsharing is also about compatibility. It is acceptable to express lifestyle preferences such as:

  • Smoking / non-smoking

  • Pets / no pets

  • Social or quiet household

  • Cleanliness expectations

  • Typical working hours (e.g. night shift vs 9–5)

  • Preferred age range for compatibility purposes (e.g. students looking for other students)

 

However, these should always be framed as preferences to improve matching, not as blanket exclusions or discriminatory rules. For example:

  • Acceptable: “Looking to live with other young professionals in their 20s/30s.”

  • Not acceptable: “No people over 30.

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By using HATCH, you agree to follow these rules. Breaches may result in your account being suspended or permanently removed.

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12. Governing Law

These terms are governed by English law, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

 

13. Contact Us

For any questions about these terms, contact:
📧 hello@hatchahome.com

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