Terms of Service

Please read these terms carefully before using the Matchy platform.

Last Updated: December 6, 2025

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Matchy ("the Platform," "we," "our," or "us"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Matchy. We may update these Terms from time to time, and your continued use of the Platform after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Description of Service

Matchy is a property transaction platform that connects:

  • Buyers with property sellers
  • Sellers with potential buyers
  • Users with verified professional service providers (conveyancers, bond originators, photographers, inspectors, etc.)

Matchy facilitates direct property transactions and provides tools for communication, offer management, and transaction coordination. We are not a real estate agent, broker, or financial advisor.

3. User Accounts

3.1 Registration

  • You must be at least 18 years old to create an account
  • You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
  • You must maintain and update your account information to keep it accurate
  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
  • You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account

3.2 Identity Verification

  • We require facial verification and identity document verification for account security
  • You consent to our verification processes and background checks
  • We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that fail verification

3.3 Account Responsibility

  • You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account
  • You may not share your account credentials with others
  • You may not create multiple accounts without our permission

4. User Conduct

You agree to use the Platform in accordance with applicable laws and these Terms. You agree NOT to:

  • Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information
  • Harass, abuse, or harm other users
  • Violate any applicable laws or regulations
  • Infringe on intellectual property rights
  • Transmit viruses, malware, or harmful code
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Platform or other users' accounts
  • Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access the Platform without permission
  • Interfere with or disrupt the Platform's operation
  • Collect or harvest information about other users without consent
  • Use the Platform for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
  • Impersonate any person or entity
  • Post content that is defamatory, obscene, or offensive

5. Property Listings

5.1 Seller Responsibilities

  • Sellers are responsible for the accuracy of property listings
  • All property information, photos, and descriptions must be truthful and accurate
  • Sellers must have legal authority to sell the property
  • Sellers must comply with all applicable property disclosure laws

5.2 Listing Content

  • You retain ownership of content you post, but grant Matchy a license to use it on the Platform
  • You represent that you have the right to post all content you submit
  • We reserve the right to remove or modify listings that violate these Terms

6. Offers and Transactions

6.1 Offer Process

  • Buyers may submit offers through the Platform
  • Sellers may accept, decline, or counter offers at their discretion
  • Offers are not legally binding until both parties execute a formal purchase agreement
  • Matchy is not a party to any transaction between buyers and sellers

6.2 Transaction Responsibility

  • Buyers and sellers are solely responsible for their transactions
  • Matchy does not guarantee the completion of any transaction
  • Matchy is not responsible for disputes between buyers and sellers
  • All parties should engage qualified professionals (conveyancers, attorneys) for legal protection

7. Professional Services

7.1 Professional Network

  • Matchy provides access to a network of verified professionals
  • We verify professional credentials but do not guarantee their services
  • Professional services are provided by independent third parties, not Matchy
  • Matchy is not responsible for the quality, timeliness, or outcome of professional services

7.2 Professional Relationships

  • Users enter into separate agreements with professionals
  • Matchy is not a party to agreements between users and professionals
  • Users are responsible for vetting and selecting professionals
  • Disputes with professionals should be resolved directly with the professional

8. Fees and Payments

8.1 Platform Fees

  • Buyers: Use of the Platform is free
  • Sellers: Subscription fees apply based on selected package (Standard, Silver, Gold)
  • Professionals: Fees may apply for professional network membership
  • All fees are non-refundable unless otherwise stated

8.2 Payment Terms

  • Subscription fees are billed in advance
  • You authorize us to charge your payment method for all fees
  • You are responsible for all applicable taxes
  • We reserve the right to change fees with 30 days' notice

8.3 Professional Service Fees

  • Professional service fees are separate from Platform fees
  • Fees for professional services are negotiated directly between users and professionals
  • Matchy does not process payments for professional services

9. Intellectual Property

9.1 Platform Ownership

  • The Platform, including all software, design, text, graphics, and content, is owned by Matchy
  • All trademarks, logos, and service marks are the property of Matchy
  • You may not copy, modify, or create derivative works of the Platform

9.2 User Content License

  • You retain ownership of content you post
  • You grant Matchy a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your content on the Platform
  • This license continues even after you remove content or close your account

10. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

10.1 Platform Disclaimer

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose
  • Warranties that the Platform will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
  • Warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of information
  • Warranties regarding properties, offers, or transactions

10.2 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, MATCHY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

  • Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
  • Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
  • Damages arising from transactions between users
  • Damages arising from professional services
  • Damages arising from unauthorized access or use of the Platform

Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid to Matchy in the 12 months preceding the claim.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Matchy, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

  • Your use of the Platform
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any law or rights of a third party
  • Content you post on the Platform
  • Your transactions with other users or professionals

12. Termination

12.1 Termination by You

  • You may terminate your account at any time
  • You must cancel any active subscriptions
  • Termination does not relieve you of obligations incurred before termination

12.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately if:

  • You violate these Terms
  • You engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
  • You fail to pay required fees
  • We determine termination is necessary to protect the Platform or other users

12.3 Effect of Termination

  • Your right to use the Platform ceases immediately
  • We may delete your account and content
  • Provisions that by their nature should survive will remain in effect

13. Dispute Resolution

13.1 User Disputes

Disputes between users (buyers, sellers, professionals) should be resolved directly between the parties. Matchy is not obligated to mediate or resolve user disputes.

13.2 Disputes with Matchy

  • Disputes with Matchy will be governed by South African law
  • You agree to first attempt to resolve disputes through good faith negotiation
  • If negotiation fails, disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration in Johannesburg, South Africa
  • You waive your right to a jury trial and class action lawsuits

14. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of South Africa.

15. General Provisions

15.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Matchy regarding the Platform.

15.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full effect.

15.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

15.4 Assignment

You may not assign these Terms without our written consent. We may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

15.5 Notices

We may provide notices to you through the Platform, email, or other contact methods you provide. Notices are effective when sent.

16. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:

  • Email: legal@matchy.co.za
  • Phone: +27 (0)11 123 4567
  • Address: 123 Main Street, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa