The rules that keep renting fair for everyone

1Agreeing to these terms

By creating an account or using Map Aware Home, you agree to these Terms and Conditions and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the platform.

2Who can use Map Aware Home

You must be at least 18 years old and able to enter into a rental agreement under Philippine law. Each person may have one account, and you may not create an account for someone else.

3Your account

• Give your real name, a working email address and a contact number, and keep them up to date.
• Keep your password and the sign-in codes we email you private. You are responsible for everything done with your account.
• Tell us right away at mapawarehome@gmail.com if you think someone else has used your account.
• You can delete your account at any time from Settings.

4Verification

To keep the platform safe, tenants and landlords must be verified before they can rent or list a property. You agree to submit genuine documents of your own. Our administrators review them and may approve, reject or ask you to resubmit. Submitting a fake or altered document leads to permanent removal.

A valid ID is a government-issued ID such as a driver's license, passport or National ID. Your documents are kept confidential and reviewed only by authorised administrators. They are deleted when you ask us to or when the Map Aware Home academic project ends; see our Privacy Policy.

5What Map Aware Home does and does not do

• Map Aware Home helps tenants and landlords find each other, communicate and keep records. We do not own, manage or inspect any property.
• We provide a lease form for convenience, but we do not write, check or enforce rental contracts. The agreement is between the tenant and the landlord, and both should read it carefully. You may want to ask a lawyer to review it.
• We do not collect, hold or process rent, deposits or any other payment. Payments are made directly between tenant and landlord; the platform only keeps a record and sends reminders.

6Messages

Messaging is for property and rental matters. Be respectful, and do not send unnecessary personal or financial information such as bank passwords or sign-in codes. Administrators may review conversations when they look into a report.

7The map and hazard information

The map shows flood-prone areas, the West Valley Fault, evacuation centres and hospitals based on public data. It is for information and safety planning only. It can be incomplete or out of date and is not a guarantee that a property is safe. Always visit the area and ask questions before you rent. The map is for finding and judging properties only; do not use it to track people or for anything unrelated.

8Code of conduct

Everyone on Map Aware Home agrees to:

• Communicate respectfully. Harassment, threats, hate speech and discrimination are not allowed.
• Be truthful about yourself and about any property.
• Respect other users' privacy and never share their personal information without consent.

The following are not allowed:

• Creating fake accounts or pretending to be someone else.
• Listing a property you do not own or are not authorised to rent out.
• Asking for payment for a unit the tenant has not seen, or taking payments outside the agreed terms.
• Using the platform for anything illegal.
• Trying to get into accounts or data that are not yours, changing system data, or disrupting the platform.

9Violations and account action

• First offence: a warning and a temporary restriction.
• Second offence: account suspension for 30 days.
• Serious or repeated offences: permanent removal of the account and its listings.

We may skip straight to removal for fraud, fake documents or threats. Report a problem through Contact Support. Reports are reviewed within 48 hours and the reporter's identity is kept confidential. We may cooperate with the authorities when the law requires it.

10Limits of our responsibility

Map Aware Home is not a party to any rental agreement. We are not responsible for breaches of a lease, unpaid rent, damage to property, injuries, or disputes between tenants and landlords. Users take on the risks of the agreements they make. We work to keep the platform running and accurate, but we cannot promise it will always be available or error-free.

11Changes to these terms

We may update these terms as the platform changes. When we do, we will change the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. If you keep using Map Aware Home after an update, you accept the new terms.

T1Accurate information

Provide your real name, contact number and rental preferences, and submit your own valid ID, proof of income and selfie for verification. False profiles or false information lead to suspension. Your personal data is handled under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and is not shared with third parties without your consent, except when the law requires it.

T2Rent and payment records

• Pay your rent on the due date in your lease, directly to your landlord, by the method you both agreed on.
• Record each payment on Map Aware Home with a genuine receipt or screenshot. Uploading a fake receipt is fraud.
• Months with no recorded payment after the due date are shown as overdue. Reminders are a courtesy and do not change what your lease says.

T3Caring for the property

Treat the property with care, follow the house rules in your lease, and report needed repairs promptly through a maintenance request. Ask your landlord before making any permanent change to the unit.

L1Accurate listings

• Submit your own valid ID, a selfie, and proof that you own the property, such as a land title or certificate of ownership. If you rent it out for the owner, submit an authorization letter or lease agreement too.
• List only properties you own or are authorised to rent out, with the correct address, rent, property type, description and amenities.
• Use recent photos that show the real condition of the unit. False, misleading or exaggerated listings will be removed.

L2Location and hazard disclosure

Pin the exact location of your property on the map. The map helps tenants find the unit and judge the area, so it must never be used to mislead.

L3Your duties to tenants

• Keep the property safe and fit to live in, and respond to maintenance requests promptly.
• Answer tenant questions and rental requests in reasonable time, and stay professional in every message.
• Screen tenants fairly. Discrimination based on sex, religion, ethnicity, disability or similar grounds is not allowed.
• Make sure your lease and house rules follow Philippine housing laws, and state the rent, due dates, deposit, advance rent and lease length clearly.

L4Confirming payments

Review the payments your tenants record and confirm or reject them honestly, so both of you have an accurate history. Rent reminders help you keep track of due dates, but every payment happens directly between you and your tenant. Map Aware Home does not process or store any money.