Terms and Conditions

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old, which is the age of majority in Nigeria, to create an account or use the Platform. By accessing or using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you meet this requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms and to use the Platform's services.

If you register or use the Platform on behalf of a business, organization, landlord, property owner, estate agency, or any other legal entity, you represent and warrant that you are duly authorized to act on behalf of that entity and to bind it to these Terms. In such cases, references to “you” or “your” in these Terms shall include both you and the entity you represent.

We reserve the right to refuse, suspend, or terminate access to the Platform if we reasonably believe that you do not meet the eligibility requirements or have provided false or misleading information regarding your identity or authority.

Account Registration and Security

To access certain features of the Platform, including posting property listings, searching for accommodations, communicating through the in-app messaging service, using the roommate matching feature, making or receiving payments, accessing wallet services, or participating in escrow transactions, you must create an account (“Account”).

When creating and maintaining your Account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and throughout your use of the Platform.
• Maintain and promptly update your Account information to ensure it remains accurate and complete.
• Keep your username, password, and other Account credentials confidential and secure.
• Not share, transfer, or allow another person to use your Account.
• Notify us immediately if you become aware of any unauthorized access to or use of your Account, suspected security breach, or compromise of your login credentials.
• Cooperate with any reasonable security verification measures we may require to protect your Account or the Platform.

You are solely responsible for all activities conducted through your Account unless such activities result directly from our negligence or security failure. Any transactions, communications, listings, or other actions performed using your Account will be deemed to have been authorized by you unless proven otherwise.

To protect the integrity, security, and reliability of the Platform, we reserve the right to verify your identity, request additional information where necessary, suspend or restrict access to certain features, or terminate your Account if we reasonably believe that you have violated these Terms, provided false or misleading information, engaged in fraudulent or unlawful activity, compromised the security of the Platform, or otherwise misused our services.

Services Provided

The Platform provides technology services designed to facilitate the accommodation search and rental process between students, landlords, property owners, and authorized agents. Our services include, but are not limited to:

• Enabling users to search for and access available accommodation based on their preferences, including price, location, and other relevant criteria.
• Allowing landlords, property owners, and authorized agents to create and manage property listings and connect with prospective tenants.
• Providing an algorithm-based roommate matching feature that suggests potential roommates based on user-provided information and preferences, such as lifestyle, budget, location, gender, and other selected criteria.
• Providing an in-app messaging service that enables users to communicate directly regarding property listings, apartment visits, and other accommodation-related matters.
• Facilitating secure payments through Shelta's escrow service, whereby eligible payments are held until the applicable release conditions are satisfied in accordance with these Terms.
• Providing wallet functionality that allows eligible users to receive, manage, and withdraw funds through the Platform, subject to applicable verification, security checks, and Platform policies.
• Providing transaction history and downloadable account statements or reports where such functionality is made available.
• Offering additional services, tools, and features that may be introduced from time to time.

Shelta provides the technology platform that enables these services but is not the owner, landlord, property manager, estate agent, or lessor of any property listed on the Platform unless expressly stated otherwise.

While Shelta facilitates communication and certain payment services, we are not a party to any tenancy agreement, lease agreement, or other contractual arrangement entered into between users. Users remain solely responsible for negotiating, reviewing, and complying with the terms of any rental or accommodation agreement they enter into.

The availability of escrow services does not constitute a guarantee of the quality, suitability, legality, safety, ownership, or condition of any property, nor does it guarantee the conduct, honesty, or performance of any user. Users remain responsible for conducting reasonable due diligence, including physically inspecting properties where appropriate before confirming a transaction.

Users are expected to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including relevant tenancy, consumer protection, anti-fraud, and data protection laws within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

User Content and Listings

You may post, upload, submit, transmit, or otherwise make available content through the Platform, including but not limited to property listings, profiles, roommate preferences, messages, images, documents, reviews, and other materials (collectively, “User Content”).

By posting or submitting User Content, you grant Shelta Homes and Ventures a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, and sublicensable license to use, reproduce, store, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute, display, and otherwise process such User Content solely for the purpose of operating, improving, maintaining, securing, promoting, and providing the Platform and its services, subject to our Privacy Policy.

You represent and warrant that:

• Your User Content is accurate, truthful, complete, and not misleading.
• You own or have all necessary rights, permissions, and authority to post or share the User Content.
• Your User Content does not infringe or violate the intellectual property, privacy, publicity, contractual, or other legal rights of any third party.
• Property listings accurately describe the property and comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including tenancy, consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and housing requirements.
• Any photographs, videos, or other media used in property listings accurately represent the advertised property and have not been manipulated in a misleading manner.
• Any information provided for roommate matching, including preferences, lifestyle information, gender, religion, or other profile details, is accurate to the best of your knowledge.

You agree not to post, upload, transmit, or distribute User Content that:

• Is false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading.
• Advertises properties that do not exist or that you are not authorized to list.
• Encourages users to bypass Shelta's payment or escrow process where such process is required by the Platform.
• Contains malicious software, harmful code, or attempts to interfere with the operation or security of the Platform.
• Contains unlawful, abusive, defamatory, threatening, discriminatory, hateful, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate material.
• Violates any applicable law or regulation or infringes the rights of another person.

We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to monitor, review, investigate, edit, restrict, suspend, or remove any User Content that we reasonably believe violates these Terms, applicable law, or our policies, or that may expose users or the Platform to fraud, security risks, or legal liability.

You remain solely responsible for the User Content you submit and for any consequences arising from its publication or use.

Roommate Matching

Shelta provides a roommate matching feature designed to assist users in finding shared accommodation opportunities. Where available, landlords or agents may list apartments with multiple occupancy slots, allowing eligible users to express interest in sharing accommodation.

To facilitate informed decisions, the Platform may display limited profile information about existing or prospective roommates, including information such as gender, religion, biography, lifestyle preferences, budget, location preferences, or other information that users voluntarily choose to share.

The Platform may use user-provided information and automated matching processes to suggest potential roommate matches. These matches and recommendations are provided solely for convenience and do not constitute a recommendation, endorsement, guarantee, or certification by Shelta.

Users are solely responsible for:

• Verifying the accuracy of information provided by potential roommates.
• Communicating with prospective roommates before making any commitments.
• Conducting any background checks or additional due diligence they consider appropriate.
• Entering into any roommate or shared accommodation agreement independently.

Shelta does not guarantee compatibility, conduct, behaviour, honesty, safety, financial responsibility, or the suitability of any roommate or shared accommodation arrangement. We shall not be liable for disputes, disagreements, financial losses, property damage, personal injury, incompatibility, or any other claims arising from interactions or agreements between users.

Users must not provide false or misleading information within their roommate profile or use the roommate matching feature to discriminate unlawfully, harass, deceive, or engage in fraudulent or abusive conduct.

Prohibited Conduct

You agree that you will not, directly or indirectly:

• Use the Platform for any unlawful, fraudulent, deceptive, or unauthorized purpose.
• Post false, misleading, inaccurate, or fraudulent property listings, profiles, reviews, messages, or other User Content.
• Misrepresent your identity, authority, qualifications, or relationship to any property or organization.
• Harass, threaten, intimidate, discriminate against, abuse, impersonate, or otherwise harm another user.
• Upload or distribute viruses, malware, malicious code, or any material intended to disrupt or compromise the security, integrity, or availability of the Platform.
• Use automated tools, bots, spiders, scrapers, or similar technologies to access, monitor, copy, or collect data from the Platform without our prior written authorization.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any Account, wallet, payment system, administrative function, database, or other part of the Platform.
• Circumvent, bypass, manipulate, or interfere with the Platform's security measures, authentication processes, escrow services, payment systems, or other technical controls.
• Encourage or persuade users to make payments outside Shelta's approved payment or escrow system where such payment method is required by the Platform.
• Engage in fraudulent payment activities, chargeback abuse, money laundering, identity theft, or any other financial misconduct.
• Use the messaging feature to send spam, phishing messages, scams, unsolicited advertisements, or malicious links.
• Collect, harvest, disclose, or misuse another user's personal information without their consent or other lawful basis.
• Interfere with or disrupt the operation, performance, or security of the Platform or any connected systems.
• Advertise or promote products or services unrelated to the Platform without our prior written consent.
• Violate any applicable law, regulation, or the rights of any other person while using the Platform.

We reserve the right to investigate any suspected violation of these Terms and may, where appropriate, suspend or terminate Accounts, remove User Content, restrict access to certain Platform features, delay or refuse transactions, report unlawful activities to the appropriate authorities, or take any other action reasonably necessary to protect the Platform, its users, or our legitimate interests.

Fees and Payments

The Platform may charge service fees, transaction fees, subscription fees, premium feature fees, or other applicable charges for the use of certain services. Any applicable fees will be clearly communicated to you before you complete the relevant transaction.

Where the Platform offers escrow payment services, payments made by a student for an eligible property transaction will be held securely in escrow until the applicable release conditions have been satisfied in accordance with these Terms or any additional escrow procedures communicated by Shelta.

Agents or other eligible recipients may receive payments into their Platform wallet. Funds held in a wallet may be withdrawn only in accordance with the Platform's verification, security, and withdrawal procedures. Shelta reserves the right to delay, suspend, or refuse a withdrawal where reasonably necessary to investigate suspected fraud, unauthorized activity, disputes, security incidents, legal obligations, or violations of these Terms.

By making a payment through the Platform, you authorize Shelta and its authorized third-party payment service providers to process your payment using your selected payment method. You represent and warrant that you are authorized to use the payment method provided.

Users are responsible for ensuring that all payment information submitted through the Platform is accurate and up to date. Failed or declined payments may result in delays, suspension of services, or cancellation of the relevant transaction.

Unless otherwise stated or required by applicable law, service fees and other Platform charges are non-refundable. However, funds held in escrow may be refunded or released where permitted under these Terms, applicable law, or Shelta's dispute resolution procedures.

Shelta may engage reputable third-party payment service providers to process payments, facilitate transfers, or support wallet functionality. While we exercise reasonable care in selecting such providers, their services are governed by their own terms and conditions, and Shelta shall not be liable for failures, delays, or interruptions that are solely attributable to those third-party providers.

Shelta reserves the right to modify its fees, introduce new charges, or discontinue certain paid services at any time. Where required, users will be provided with reasonable notice before such changes take effect.

Intellectual Property

The Platform, including but not limited to its software, source code, design, user interface, databases, algorithms, matching technology, payment workflows, trademarks, logos, trade names, graphics, text, images, documentation, and all other content and materials made available through the Platform (excluding User Content) (collectively, the “Platform Content”), is owned by or licensed to Shelta Homes and Ventures and is protected by applicable intellectual property and proprietary rights laws, including the Copyright Act of Nigeria and other applicable laws.

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, Shelta grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, and revocable license to access and use the Platform solely for your personal, lawful, and intended use.

Except as expressly permitted by these Terms or applicable law, you may not:

• Copy, reproduce, distribute, sell, or commercially exploit any part of the Platform or its content.
• Modify, adapt, reverse engineer, decompile, or attempt to access the Platform's source code or underlying technology.
• Remove or alter any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices.
• Use Shelta's name, trademarks, logos, or other intellectual property without our prior written consent.

Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of any intellectual property rights to you. All rights not expressly granted under these Terms are reserved by Shelta Homes and Ventures and its licensors.

Third-Party Links and Services

The Platform may contain links to, integrate with, or rely upon third-party websites, applications, products, or services, including but not limited to payment service providers, financial institutions, identity verification providers, cloud hosting providers, communication services, analytics providers, background check services, and other service providers that support the operation of the Platform.

These third-party services are provided solely for your convenience or to facilitate certain Platform functionalities. Shelta does not own, operate, or control such third-party services and does not endorse or guarantee their content, products, services, availability, security, or performance unless expressly stated otherwise.

Your access to and use of any third-party service are governed by that third party's own terms, conditions, and privacy policies. You are responsible for reviewing those terms before using the relevant service.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Shelta shall not be liable for any loss, damage, delay, interruption, unauthorized access, data breach, payment failure, service outage, or other issue arising from or attributable to any third-party website, service, or provider beyond our reasonable control.

Where the Platform integrates with third-party payment providers or other service providers, such integration does not create a partnership, agency, joint venture, or employment relationship between Shelta and the third party unless expressly stated otherwise.

Disclaimers

The Platform and all related services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without any express or implied warranties, representations, or guarantees, except as required by applicable law. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Shelta disclaims all implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, accuracy, availability, and uninterrupted operation.

While we implement reasonable technical, administrative, and organizational measures to maintain the security, reliability, and functionality of the Platform, we do not warrant or guarantee that the Platform will always be error-free, uninterrupted, secure, or free from viruses, malware, or other harmful components.

Although Shelta facilitates communication and certain payment services through the Platform, we are not a party to tenancy agreements, roommate agreements, or other arrangements entered into between users and are not responsible for disputes arising from such agreements.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Nigerian law, Shelta Homes and Ventures, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, contractors, agents, licensors, and service providers shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of business opportunities, loss of data, loss of goodwill, business interruption, or financial losses arising out of or relating to:

• Your access to, use of, or inability to use the Platform.
• Any property listing, roommate arrangement, or transaction conducted through the Platform.
• The acts, omissions, or conduct of other users or third parties.
• Delays, interruptions, or failures involving payment services, escrow, wallets, or third-party service providers.
• Unauthorized access to your Account resulting from your failure to protect your login credentials.
• Technical failures, cyberattacks, viruses, or other events beyond our reasonable control.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Shelta's total aggregate liability arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Platform shall not exceed the total amount of service fees, if any, paid by you directly to Shelta during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

Nothing in these Terms shall exclude or limit any liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Shelta Homes and Ventures, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, contractors, agents, licensors, and service providers from and against any claims, demands, actions, proceedings, liabilities, damages, losses, fines, penalties, judgments, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or relating to:

• Your access to or use of the Platform.
• Your violation of these Terms or any applicable law or regulation.
• Your User Content, property listings, messages, or other information you submit through the Platform.
• Your infringement of the intellectual property, privacy, contractual, or other legal rights of any third party.
• Any fraudulent, unlawful, negligent, or unauthorized activity carried out through your Account.
• Any dispute between you and another user, including disputes relating to property listings, roommate arrangements, payments, or tenancy agreements, to the extent such dispute arises from your acts or omissions.

The obligations under this section shall survive the suspension, termination, or expiration of your Account and these Terms.

Refunds, Cancellations, Escrow, and Payment Disputes

Escrow Services

For eligible transactions, payments made through the Platform may be held in Shelta's escrow system until the applicable release conditions have been satisfied. The purpose of the escrow service is to reduce the risk of fraud by temporarily holding funds while the student verifies the authenticity of the property.

Unless otherwise stated by the Platform, escrow funds will only be released after the student confirms that the property has been physically inspected and accepted, or when the applicable release conditions have otherwise been satisfied.

Shelta reserves the right to temporarily delay or suspend the release of escrow funds where there is a suspected fraud, security concern, payment irregularity, legal requirement, or dispute between the parties.

Cancellations

Students may cancel a transaction before payment is released from escrow, subject to the Platform's cancellation procedures.

Agents or property owners may cancel a transaction only where permitted by the Platform or where the transaction cannot reasonably be completed.

Repeated or abusive cancellations may result in restrictions on a user's Account.

Refunds

Refund requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with these Terms, applicable law, and the circumstances of the transaction.

Refunds may be considered where:

• A payment was made in error.
• A duplicate payment occurred.
• A transaction could not be completed due to a verified system error.
• Fraud or unauthorized activity is confirmed.
• The transaction is otherwise eligible for a refund under applicable law or Platform policy.

Platform service fees, where applicable, may be non-refundable unless otherwise required by law or expressly stated by Shelta.

Approved refunds will be processed using the original payment method where reasonably practicable or by another method approved by Shelta.

Payment Disputes

Where a dispute arises concerning a payment, property, or transaction, Shelta may temporarily hold the relevant funds while the matter is reviewed.

Users agree to cooperate by providing any information or documentation reasonably requested by Shelta to investigate the dispute.

Shelta may review available evidence, including transaction records, communications conducted through the Platform, property information, and any supporting documents provided by the parties.

Where appropriate, Shelta may determine whether escrow funds should be released, refunded, or otherwise handled in accordance with these Terms and applicable law.

Shelta's review of a dispute is intended solely to facilitate the operation of the Platform and does not constitute legal advice, judicial determination, or an assumption of liability for the underlying transaction.

Nothing in this section prevents either party from pursuing any legal rights or remedies available under applicable law.

Termination

We reserve the right to suspend, restrict, or terminate your Account or access to all or any part of the Platform at any time, with or without prior notice, where we reasonably believe that:

• You have violated these Terms or any applicable law.
• You have engaged in fraudulent, deceptive, or unlawful activity.
• Your use of the Platform poses a security, legal, financial, or operational risk to Shelta or other users.
• We are required to do so by law or a competent regulatory or judicial authority.
• It is otherwise necessary to protect the integrity, security, or proper operation of the Platform.

Upon termination or suspension:

• Your right to access and use the Platform will immediately cease.
• Any outstanding obligations or liabilities incurred before termination shall remain enforceable.
• We may retain or delete your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable law.
• Any funds held in escrow or wallet balances will be handled in accordance with these Terms, applicable law, and any applicable payment procedures.

The provisions of these Terms that by their nature are intended to survive termination, including but not limited to intellectual property, disclaimers, limitation of liability, indemnification, dispute resolution, payment obligations, and governing law, shall remain in full force and effect.

Dispute Resolution

We encourage users to contact Shelta first so that we may attempt to resolve any complaint or dispute amicably.

If a dispute cannot be resolved through good-faith discussions, it shall be referred to arbitration in Lagos, Nigeria, in accordance with the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 and the applicable rules of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

Nothing in these Terms prevents either party from seeking urgent interim or injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction where necessary to protect legal rights or prevent irreparable harm.

If arbitration is determined to be unenforceable or unavailable, the dispute shall be submitted to the competent courts of Lagos State, Nigeria.

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

Changes to these Terms

Shelta may revise or update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in the Platform, applicable laws, regulatory requirements, business operations, or the introduction of new products, services, or features.

Where a material change is made, we will provide reasonable notice through the Platform, by email, or by any other appropriate means. The updated Terms will indicate the date on which they become effective.

Your continued access to or use of the Platform after the effective date of the updated Terms constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must discontinue use of the Platform.

Miscellaneous

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Shelta Homes and Ventures regarding your use of the Platform and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, or communications relating to the same subject matter.

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Our failure or delay in enforcing any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other right.

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. Shelta may assign or transfer its rights or obligations in connection with a merger, acquisition, corporate restructuring, or sale of its business or assets.

Headings are included for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of these Terms.

Contact Us

For questions about these Terms, contact us at hello@sheltahomes.com.