Terms of Service

These Terms of Service govern your use of the RentBid platform. By creating an account you agree to these Terms. Please read them carefully — they include important information about your rights and obligations.

1. About RentBid

RentBid (Pty) Ltd ("RentBid", "we", "us") operates an online marketplace that enables verified landlords to list residential properties and verified tenants to browse and apply for those properties. RentBid is a platform only — we are not a property agent, estate agent, or party to any lease agreement.

2. Eligibility

You may use RentBid only if you are:

• A natural person aged 18 or older, or a legal entity duly represented by an authorised individual aged 18 or older.
• A South African resident or entity, or a foreign national lawfully present in South Africa.
• Legally capable of entering into a binding agreement.

By using the platform you confirm that you meet these requirements.

3. Your account

You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential and for all activity that occurs under your account. You must notify us immediately at info@rentbid.co.za if you suspect unauthorised use. One account may hold both tenant and landlord roles simultaneously.

4. Verification

RentBid requires identity verification before you may list a property or submit an application. Verification involves providing a valid South African identity document, proof of residential address, and completing a liveness check. Landlords additionally provide proof of ownership or a letting mandate.

We describe this process as "FICA-standard identity verification" because it applies checks aligned with those standards. [Attorney to confirm FICA accountable institution status and adjust language accordingly.]

You warrant that all documents and information submitted for verification are genuine, accurate, and belong to you. Submitting false or another person's documents is a criminal offence under South African law and will result in immediate permanent account termination and referral to the relevant authorities.

5. Landlord obligations

As a landlord on RentBid you agree to:

• List only properties you own or are authorised in writing to let on behalf of the owner.
• Ensure all listing information is accurate, complete, and not misleading.
• Respond to applications within a reasonable time and inform unsuccessful applicants promptly.
• Comply with the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999, the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (where applicable), and all other applicable law.
• Not request or accept any deposit, fee, or payment outside the RentBid payment system except where the lease agreement is signed and the tenancy has formally commenced.

6. Tenant obligations

As a tenant on RentBid you agree to:

• Provide accurate information in your profile and all applications.
• Apply only for properties you genuinely intend to rent if accepted.
• Pay the application vetting fee (where applicable) before or at the time of application.
• Not share your verified profile or access with any other person.

7. Applications & offers

Submitting an application is an expression of genuine intent to rent, not a legally binding commitment to enter into a lease. A lease is created only when both parties sign a separate written lease agreement. RentBid is not a party to that agreement.

Where a landlord enables the "open to offers" mode, tenants may submit an offer at or above the listed rent. Submitting an offer does not create an obligation on the landlord to accept it. The landlord retains full discretion to select any applicant based on profile, rating, and suitability — not solely on offer amount.

8. Fees & payments

Subscriptions are billed monthly and may be cancelled at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. Fees are non-refundable except where required by law or at our discretion.

9. Ratings & reviews

Ratings and reviews are a core trust feature of RentBid. You agree to provide only honest, first-hand ratings based on genuine experience. We reserve the right to remove reviews that are defamatory, false, or in breach of these Terms.

10. Prohibited conduct

You may not use RentBid to:

• Submit false, forged, or another person's identity documents.
• List a property you do not own or are not authorised to let.
• Discriminate in letting decisions on grounds prohibited by the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 (e.g. race, gender, disability, HIV status).
• Advertise a property that is not genuinely available for the price stated.
• Solicit deposits, fees, or payments outside the RentBid payment system.
• Scrape, copy, or systematically extract platform content without our written consent.
• Engage in any conduct that is illegal under South African law.

11. Intellectual property

All platform code, design, trademarks, and content created by RentBid are our intellectual property. Your listings, photographs, and reviews remain yours — by posting them you grant RentBid a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display and use them to operate the platform.

12. Disclaimers & limitation of liability

RentBid provides the platform "as is." We do not guarantee that all listings are accurate, that all users are trustworthy, or that the platform will be available without interruption. We are not a party to any lease and accept no liability for disputes between landlords and tenants.

To the maximum extent permitted by South African law, our total liability to you for any claim arising from your use of the platform is limited to the fees you paid us in the 3 months preceding the claim.

13. Indemnity

You indemnify RentBid against any claims, losses, or expenses (including legal costs) arising from your breach of these Terms, your use of the platform, or your interactions with other users.

14. Suspension & termination

We may suspend or terminate your account without prior notice if you breach these Terms, submit false verification documents, engage in prohibited conduct, or for any other reason at our reasonable discretion. You may close your account at any time through your account settings.

15. Dispute resolution

We encourage users to resolve disputes directly. If you have a complaint about RentBid, please contact us first at info@rentbid.co.za. If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, it shall be referred to mediation before litigation, unless urgent relief is required. For rental disputes between users, the Rental Housing Tribunal in the relevant province has jurisdiction.

16. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. You consent to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Gauteng Division, Pretoria, for any disputes arising from these Terms.

17. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes at least 14 days before they take effect by email or prominent in-platform notice. Your continued use of RentBid after a change takes effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

18. Contact

Questions about these Terms: info@rentbid.co.za