Terms of Service

1. About these Terms

These Terms of Service govern your use of VOT Stays, an online platform operated by [COMPANY LEGAL NAME] ('VOT Stays', 'we', 'us') that lets guests find and book accommodation listed by independent hosts in Tanzania.

By creating an account or making a booking, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the platform.

VOT Stays is a marketplace. Unless a listing says otherwise, the accommodation is provided by the host, not by VOT Stays, and the contract for the stay is between you and the host.

2. Your Account

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account or make a booking.

You are responsible for keeping your login details secure and for all activity on your account. The information you give us, including your name, email and phone number, must be accurate and kept up to date.

We may suspend or close accounts that break these Terms, provide false information, or are used for fraud.

3. Prices, Taxes and Time Zone

All prices on VOT Stays are shown in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) and include applicable taxes and fees, unless a listing clearly states otherwise.

The total shown at checkout is the amount you will pay. Hosts set their own nightly rates, and prices may change until a booking is confirmed.

All dates and times on the platform, including check-in, check-out and cancellation deadlines, use East Africa Time (Africa/Dar_es_Salaam, UTC+3).

4. Bookings and Payment

When you start a booking, the selected dates are held for you for 15 minutes. If payment is not completed within that time, the hold expires and the dates become available to other guests.

A booking is confirmed only when payment has been received and VOT Stays has sent you a confirmation. [CONFIRM: accepted payment methods, for example mobile money and cards.]

Payments are processed by third-party payment providers. We do not store your full card details.

5. Guest Cancellations and Refunds

Each listing shows one of four cancellation policies. The policy shown when you book is the one that applies to your booking.

Flexible: a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before check-in, and a full refund minus the first night after that.

Moderate: a full refund if you cancel at least 5 days before check-in, and a 50% refund after that.

Strict: a 50% refund if you cancel at least 7 days before check-in, and no refund after that.

Non-refundable: no refund if you cancel, in exchange for a lower price.

Refunds are paid to the original payment method, usually within 7 working days.

6. Host Cancellations

If a host cancels a confirmed booking, you will receive a full refund of the amount you paid.

Hosts who cancel confirmed bookings without a valid reason may face penalties, a lower position in search results, or removal from the platform.

7. No-Shows

If you do not arrive and have not cancelled before check-in, the booking is treated as a no-show and no refund is given, unless the host agrees otherwise.

If you will arrive late, please contact the host through the platform so they can keep your room.

8. Reviews

After your stay, you can review the property within 30 days of check-out. Only guests with a completed stay can leave a review.

Reviews must be honest and based on your own experience. We may remove reviews that are false, abusive or discriminatory, or that contain personal information or advertising.

9. Host and Guest Responsibilities

Hosts must provide accurate listing information, honour confirmed bookings, and comply with all laws and licences that apply to their property.

Guests must respect the property and its house rules, and may be responsible for any damage they cause during their stay.

10. Liability, Changes and Governing Law

VOT Stays provides the platform on an 'as is' basis. To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for the condition of a property or for the actions of hosts or guests. Nothing in these Terms limits your rights under Tanzanian consumer protection law.

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make significant changes we will notify you, and the version you accepted when booking continues to apply to that booking.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania. Questions about these Terms can be sent to shevijeremiah@gmail.com.