TERMS & CONDITIONS
Last Updated: 27 Nov 2025
FRIEND AT HOME LIMITED
These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of the Friend at Home Limited website and service. By registering with or using the service, you agree to be bound by these Terms in full.
“We”, “Us”, and “Our” refer to Friend at Home Limited.
“You”, “Your” refers to any person registering, applying, using the website, or participating in an intergenerational homesharing arrangement as a Host or Companion.
These Terms are legally enforceable in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.
1. About Our Service
Friend at Home Limited provides an intergenerational homesharing recommendation service.
We identify and suggest potential homeshare pairings based on:
the information you provide
our screening and verification processes
interviews
background or police vetting (where appropriate)
reference checks
lifestyle and compatibility indicators
We do not provide dating, romantic introductions, matchmaking or personal introduction services.
All recommendations are strictly for homesharing, companionship, cultural exchange, and mutual support.
2. Your Responsibility for Decision-Making
While we complete screening and due diligence, the final decision to proceed with any homesharing arrangement rests entirely with you.
You agree to:
meet the other party
discuss expectations and boundaries
independently assess safety, suitability and comfort
not rely solely on our suggestion
You enter any arrangement at your own risk.
3. Not a Dating Service
Friend at Home Limited is not a dating service, matchmaking service, relationship service, or personal introduction agency.
4. User Obligations
By using the service, you agree to:
provide accurate, honest and complete information
behave lawfully, safely and respectfully
maintain cleanliness and basic hygiene in shared spaces
respect the home, property and boundaries of the other party
comply with the Homeshare Agreement
communicate reasonably and in good faith
notify us immediately of safety concerns
5. Identity Verification & Social Media Screening
By registering, you consent to Friend at Home Limited verifying your identity at any stage.
This may include:
verifying your government-issued identification
confirming name, age and address
background or police vetting
contacting references
reviewing publicly accessible online information
reviewing publicly visible social media profiles
You understand that intergenerational homesharing requires high trust and transparency, and consent to these checks.
6. Sharing of Relevant Personal Information
To support informed decision-making, you consent to Friend at Home Limited sharing relevant information between the Host and Companion.
We MAY share:
first name
age range
lifestyle, preferences, routines
cultural background & languages
relevant health or mobility information (optional)
ID verification status
“pass/fail” vetting results
reference summaries
boundaries and deal-breakers
We will NOT share:
full ID documents
exact date of birth
bank information
passwords
private social media details
detailed police vetting data
medical records
We accept no liability for sharing information reasonably required to help you make safe, lawful and ethical decisions about homesharing.
7. Fees, Bonds, Payments & Refunds
7.1 Host Vetting Fees
Host pays vetting and screening fees.
Vetting fees are non-refundable once screening begins.
If a Companion is unsuitable:
A 50% credit may be applied toward future vetting (valid 12 months).
7.2 Companion Accommodation Bond
Paid before any stay begins. Bond may be used for:
damage
cleaning
security breaches
insurance excesses
unpaid contributions
7.3 Payments Must Be Made in Advance
All fees must be paid strictly in advance, minimum 14 days prior to services beginning.
7.4 Non-Payment
If payment is not received, the process does not continue.
7.5 Debt Recovery
Unpaid fees may be referred to external debt collection, with all associated costs added (see Section 26).
8. Companion Time – Expectations & Minimum Requirements
Companion Time is not employment.
Minimum requirement: 10 hours per week, documented and mutually agreed.
Companion Time includes:
errands (pharmacy, library, groceries)
light cleaning of shared spaces
light gardening (1 hr/week)
light ironing (1 hr/week)
preparing simple meals
shared activities (walks, shopping, tea, games, movies—Host pays entry fees)
Companion Time does not include:
personal care of the Host (washing them personally, or doing their laundry)
medical or nursing support
heavy lifting or heavy cleaning
childcare
administrative or financial tasks
professional or employment-like duties
9. Homeshare Agreement
A written Homeshare Agreement must be signed covering:
roles & expectations
shared and private spaces
companion time
boundaries
financial arrangements
notice periods
exit steps
10. No Guarantee
Friend at Home Limited does not guarantee compatibility, behaviour, safety, or the success of any homeshare arrangement.
11. Limitation of Liability
Friend at Home Limited is not liable for:
loss
damage
injury
dispute
emotional harm
financial harm
property loss
or any consequence of participation
Participation is entirely at your own risk.
12. Privacy & Data Protection
Friend at Home Limited complies with:
NZ Privacy Act 2020
UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018
Australian Privacy Principles
13. Termination & Bond Return
13.1 Standard Notice
A minimum of 14 days’ written notice is required by either party.
13.2 Immediate Termination
Allowed where:
illegal drugs are present
serious misconduct occurs
safety is compromised
illegal activity occurs
13.3 Bond Holding, Duration, Refunds & Emergency Reserve
Companion Bond – Holding Period and Refunds
The Companion’s accommodation bond is held securely by Friend at Home Limited for a maximum period of 36 months from the date the homeshare arrangement begins. Our intent is always to support the return of the full amount of the bond to the Companion.
The bond is fully refundable at the end of the arrangement, provided:
the Companion has met all obligations,
no deductions are required for damage, cleaning, security breaches, unpaid fees, or insurance excesses, and
the Companion has complied with these Terms and the Homeshare Agreement.
Use of Interest Earned
Any interest that accrues while the bond is held remains the property of Friend at Home Limited.
A small portion of any such interest may be allocated to a central Companion Support Reserve, which may be used at the discretion of Friend at Home Limited to assist Companions in situations of genuine and unforeseen hardship or urgent need during their active participation in the programme.
Companions acknowledge that:
the bond itself will never be used for communal or emergency purposes,
only the interest generated, if any, may be allocated to the Support Reserve,
use of the Support Reserve is entirely discretionary, non-contractual, and not guaranteed.
Expiry and Bond Closure
If the homeshare arrangement concludes and all obligations are met:
the bond will be returned within 21 working days, minus any authorised deductions.
once refunded, Companion participation in the Support Reserve ends automatically
14. No Money to Change Hands
Hosts and Companions may not exchange:
money
loans
financial favours
reimbursements
payments for services
No shared bank accounts.
No paying bills on each other’s behalf. Neither party may ask the other to pay for something 'on their behalf' even with a promise of paying the debt back.
If a Host wants groceries collected, they should order and pay for them online first and then ask the Companion to collect them.
15. Financial Safety
The Companion must NOT access the Host’s:
bank cards
PINs
financial documents
personal mail
confidential records
Likewise, Hosts may not request access to a Companion’s private documents.
16. Private Areas (“No-Go Zones”)
Private to the Host:
bedroom
office
designated private areas
Private to the Companion:
bedroom
bathroom
personal storage areas
Entry requires explicit permission.
17. Visitors & Overnight Stays
Visitors must respect that the home belongs to both parties.
17.1 Companion Visitors
Require prior written permission from the Host.
17.2 Overnight Visitors (Companion)
Allowed only if:
The host gives prior written approval. Host has the right to refusal with no reason provided.
visitor has a clear police check (we can organise this for a fee, with sufficient notice if this requested in writing by the Host)
maximum 2 nights per month
visitor remains in Companion’s room + shared areas
17.3 Host Visitors
Do not require police checks, but must be respectful and not intrude on Companion’s private areas.
18. Privacy, Filming, Photography & Social Media
Strictly prohibited for both parties:
filming or photographing the other person
photographing possessions, layout or home
recording conversations
posting anything about the other person online
sharing location or identifiable home details
Applies during and after the arrangement.
19. Home Security
Both parties must:
return all keys/codes at the end of arrangement
never copy keys
never share access codes
report lost keys immediately
Security breach costs may be deducted from bond.
20. Companion Financial Responsibilities
The Companion:
is not liable for Host bills
buys and consumes their own food
stores food in agreed shared spaces
must not consume Host food without permission
21. Vehicle Use
The Companion may not drive the Host’s car unless:
prior written permission is granted
insurance permits it
Companion holds a valid licence
Unauthorised driving is a serious breach.
22. Zero-Tolerance Drug Policy
Illegal drugs are strictly forbidden.
Police may be notified.
The arrangement may be terminated immediately.
23. Power, Utilities & Exceptional Circumstances
The Companion must use utilities ethically.
Companion is not normally responsible for bills.
In a documented crisis (e.g., winter power emergency):
Companion may be asked to contribute to excess personal usage only
contribution must be agreed in writing
back-charging is prohibited
24. Governing Law
The applicable law is based on the location of the homeshare property:
UK: governed by the law of England & Wales
NZ: governed by New Zealand law
AU: governed by the law of the relevant State/Territory
25. Circumvention, Continuation & Mandatory Ongoing Fees (36 Months)
This clause protects Friend at Home Limited from fee avoidance.
If the Host and Companion continue, resume, or maintain ANY living arrangement that results from an introduction by Friend at Home Limited:
the weekly fee remains payable
fees apply for 36 months after the initial introduction
bypassing or avoiding fees is prohibited
circumvention incurs a £5,000 Circumvention Fee payable by the Host and a £5000 Circumvention Fee payable by the Companion
all outstanding fees become immediately due
legal recovery and costs apply
Interest accrues at 8% above Bank of England base rate.
This clause survives termination.
26. Payment Terms, Prepayment Requirement & Debt Recovery
All fees must be paid strictly in advance.
If fees are overdue:
balance becomes immediately payable
Friend at Home Limited will refer the debt to a licensed external recovery agency
legal costs, debt collector fees, tracing fees, admin fees and all enforcement costs become payable in full
interest accrues at 8% above base rate
Suspension or termination of service may occur for non-payment.
Continuation of Arrangement After Termination due to non-payment
If either the Host or the Companion fails to pay any required fees, or otherwise breaches this Agreement, Friend at Home may terminate the Agreement with immediate effect.
Where the Agreement has been terminated for non-payment or any other breach, and the Host and Companion continue to live together, remain in the property, or otherwise continue the homeshare arrangement in any form without notifying Friend at Home in writing, the following applies:
This will be deemed a deliberate continuation of the arrangement outside this Agreement.
The Breach Fee of £5,000 (GBP) per party becomes immediately due and payable by both the Host and the Companion.
This Breach Fee applies regardless of the reason for termination, and regardless of whether the parties continue informally, verbally, temporarily, or on any other basis.
The Breach Fee is enforceable in the UK, NZ, and AU under standard contract law as a reasonable pre-estimated cost for:
loss of commercial income,
loss of placement and administration costs, and
ongoing risk and liability to Friend at Home.
The fees continue to accrue until written notice of termination is provided to Friend at Home, as set out in Notice Requirements (clause 27)
27. Mandatory Written Notice of Termination, Extension or Change
Hosts and Companions must provide written notice in advance (via email) before:
ending an arrangement
altering terms
pausing an arrangement
extending an arrangement
or changing any aspect affecting fees
Fees remain payable until valid written notice is received.
Retrospective notice is not accepted.
Failure to provide written notice constitutes fee avoidance and may trigger recovery action.
28. Amendments
Friend at Home Limited may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the service indicates acceptance.
