Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to Mintenance. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Mintenance platform, including our website and mobile application. By accessing or using Mintenance, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our services.

2. Platform Description

Mintenance is a marketplace platform that connects homeowners with tradespeople for home maintenance, repairs, and improvement projects. We provide:

• A platform for homeowners to post jobs and receive bids from contractors
• Tools for contractors to find work and showcase their skills
• Messaging, payment processing, and project management features
• Verification and rating systems to ensure quality and trust

Important: Mintenance is a platform provider only. We do not provide home services ourselves and are not party to contracts between homeowners and contractors.

3. Eligibility

To use Mintenance, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Not be prohibited from using our services under applicable laws
• For contractors: Hold all necessary licences, insurance, and qualifications required by law

4. User Accounts

4.1 Account Creation

You must create an account to use Mintenance. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your information
• Keep your password secure and confidential
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorised use
• Be responsible for all activity under your account

4.2 Account Types

• Homeowner Account: Post jobs, review bids, hire contractors, make payments
• Contractor Account: Browse jobs, submit bids, provide services, receive payments

4.3 Verification

Contractors must complete our verification process, which may include identity checks, qualification verification, and insurance validation. We reserve the right to request additional documentation at any time.

5. User Responsibilities

5.1 Homeowners

• Provide accurate job descriptions and requirements
• Respond to bids and messages promptly
• Pay for completed work as agreed
• Provide honest reviews and feedback
• Maintain safe working conditions

5.2 Contractors

• Maintain valid licences, insurance, and qualifications
• Submit honest and accurate bids
• Complete work to professional standards
• Communicate clearly and promptly
• Comply with all applicable laws and building regulations
• Ensure worker safety and public liability coverage

6. Prohibited Conduct

You must not:

• Violate any laws or regulations
• Infringe on intellectual property rights
• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Attempt to circumvent platform fees or payments
• Use automated systems to access the platform (bots, scrapers)
• Share your account with others
• Manipulate reviews or ratings
• Solicit users to use competing services
• Upload viruses or malicious code

7. Payments and Fees

7.1 Platform Fees

Mintenance charges service fees for using the platform:

• Homeowners: No listing fees. Optional premium features available.
• Contractors: Commission on completed jobs (percentage varies by subscription tier)

7.2 Payment Processing

Payments are processed securely through Stripe. By using our payment services, you agree to:

• Stripe's Terms of Service
• Provide valid payment information
• Pay all fees and charges when due
• Resolve any payment disputes directly with the other party

7.3 Escrow

For your protection, payments may be held in escrow until job completion. Funds are released when both parties confirm satisfactory completion or after the dispute resolution period.

9. Dispute Resolution

9.1 User Disputes

While we encourage users to resolve disputes amicably, we provide a comprehensive dispute resolution process:

• Submit Dispute: Create a dispute through our platform within 30 days of job completion, providing detailed description and evidence (photos, documents)
• Review Period: Our team reviews your dispute within 1-3 days. Resolution times vary by priority: Low (14 days), Medium (7 days), High (3 days), Critical (24 hours)
• Mediation (Optional): Either party can request mediation. We schedule a session with an assigned mediator to help reach a resolution
• Resolution: We make a final decision based on evidence and platform policies. Decisions on fund release (if in escrow) are binding
• Appeal Process: If you disagree with the resolution, you may request a review within 7 days with additional evidence

For detailed dispute resolution procedures, visit our Help Centre.

9.2 Legal Disputes with Mintenance

These Terms are governed by English law. Disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

10. Intellectual Property

10.1 Our Rights

The Mintenance platform, including all content, features, and functionality, is owned by Mintenance Ltd and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

10.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of content you post. By posting, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, display, and distribute your content on our platform.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

• Mintenance is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind
• We do not warrant uninterrupted, error-free, or secure service
• We are not liable for user-generated content or conduct
• We are not liable for the quality or outcome of services between users
• Our liability is limited to fees paid by you in the last 12 months
• We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages

Nothing in these Terms excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.

12. Indemnification

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

• Your use of the platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another party
• Work performed or contracted through the platform

13. Termination

13.1 By You

You may close your account at any time through account settings. Outstanding obligations (payments, jobs in progress) must be settled before closure.

13.2 By Us

We may suspend or terminate your account if you:

• Violate these Terms
• Engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
• Receive excessive complaints or negative reviews
• Fail to pay fees when due
• Create risk for us or other users

14. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by email or through the platform. Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using Mintenance.

15. Miscellaneous

• Entire Agreement: These Terms and our Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement
• Severability: If any provision is found invalid, the remainder continues in effect
• No Waiver: Our failure to enforce a right does not waive that right
• Assignment: You may not assign these Terms without our consent
• Force Majeure: We are not liable for delays or failures due to circumstances beyond our control