Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to Homesbyli (the "Platform", "Service", "we", "us", or "our"), a short-term rental marketplace operated from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. By accessing or using the Platform you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (the "Terms"). If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.

These Terms form a legally binding agreement between you and Homesbyli. We may modify these Terms from time to time as described in section 15. Your continued use of the Platform after a change becomes effective constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

2. Eligibility

To use the Platform you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts in your jurisdiction;
• Not be prohibited from using the Service under applicable laws or any prior Homesbyli decision;
• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration; and
• Maintain the security of your account credentials.

3. User Accounts

3.1 Account Registration

You must create an account to book or to list a property. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately at support@homesbyli.com if you suspect unauthorized access.

3.2 Account Types

• Guest accounts — for booking accommodations.
• Host accounts — for listing and managing properties; subject to identity verification and approval by Homesbyli.
• Admin accounts — reserved for Homesbyli staff.

3.3 Identity Verification

Both guests and hosts must complete identity verification before transacting on the Platform. We may refuse, suspend, or revoke verification at any time at our sole discretion if we have reason to doubt the authenticity of submitted documents.

3.4 Account Suspension or Termination

We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent or abusive activity, generate repeated cancellations or complaints, or where required by law. Where reasonable, we will notify you and provide an opportunity to cure.

4. Booking Process

4.1 Instant Booking

Properties marked "Instant Book" are confirmed immediately upon successful payment. A booking confirmation email is sent to both guest and host.

4.2 Request to Book

Some properties require host approval. Your card is authorized but not charged until the host approves the request (typically within 24–48 hours). If the host declines or does not respond within the response window, the authorization is released and no charge is made.

4.3 Binding Contract

A confirmed booking creates a binding contract between the guest and the host for the stay. Both parties are expected to fulfil their obligations. Homesbyli is not a party to that contract; we are an intermediary that facilitates the transaction (see section 10).

5. Payment Terms

5.1 Guest Payments

• All payments are processed securely through Stripe.
• You authorize Homesbyli (via Stripe) to charge your payment method for the total booking amount, including taxes and applicable fees.
• Payment is captured at the time of booking (Instant Book) or upon host approval (Request to Book).
• Prices are displayed in Canadian Dollars (CAD) unless otherwise indicated.

5.2 Host Payouts

• Homesbyli retains a 15% service fee on the accommodation subtotal of each booking.
• Hosts receive 85% of the accommodation subtotal, less applicable taxes withheld at source.
• Payouts are released after guest check-in once any platform-mandated holding period elapses.
• Funds typically arrive in the host's bank account within 2–5 business days of release, subject to Stripe's schedule.
• Hosts must complete Stripe Connect onboarding (including identity verification and bank-account confirmation) before payouts can be issued.

5.3 Taxes

Hosts are solely responsible for determining, collecting, remitting, and reporting all taxes applicable to their listings — including but not limited to GST, QST, the lodging tax (TSH), and any municipal short-term rental fees. Homesbyli may, where required, collect and remit certain taxes on a host's behalf; this does not relieve the host of their underlying compliance obligations.

5.4 Payment Processing

Homesbyli uses Stripe Inc. for payment processing. By using the Platform you also agree to Stripe's Services Agreement. We do not store your full card number, CVC, or expiry on our servers.

6. Cancellation Policies

Each listing displays one of the following cancellation policies, set by the host. The policy in effect for your booking is the one displayed on the listing page at the time you book.

6.1 Host Cancellations

If a host cancels a confirmed booking, the guest is entitled to a full refund. Hosts who cancel may incur penalties, including delisting from the Platform for repeated cancellations.

6.2 Extenuating Circumstances

Refunds outside the standard policy may be granted at Homesbyli's discretion in cases of natural disaster, government-ordered travel restrictions, serious illness, or a verified material breach by the host. Requests must be submitted in writing within 14 days of the affected check-in date.

7. Host Responsibilities

As a host, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, complete, and current property information, photos, and pricing;
• Honor confirmed bookings and not cancel except in cases of genuine necessity;
• Maintain the property in safe, clean, and habitable condition that materially matches the listing;
• Comply with all applicable laws, including Quebec's short-term rental rules (e.g., CITQ registration, lodging tax collection), municipal zoning, fire and safety codes, and any condominium/lease restrictions;
• Respond to booking requests and guest messages within 24–48 hours;
• Pay all applicable taxes on rental income;
• Carry adequate property and liability insurance;
• Treat all guests fairly and not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected under the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

8. Guest Responsibilities

As a guest, you agree to:

• Provide accurate booking information, including the true number of guests;
• Treat the property and its contents with respect;
• Follow all house rules posted by the host;
• Not exceed the maximum occupancy listed;
• Not host parties, gatherings, or any commercial use unless expressly authorized;
• Report damages or issues to the host within 24 hours of discovery;
• Leave the property in reasonable condition at check-out;
• Not use the property for any illegal activity;
• Respect neighbors, building rules, and quiet-hour regulations.

9. Prohibited Uses

You may not use the Platform to:

• Violate any law, regulation, or third-party right;
• Engage in fraud, money laundering, or terrorism financing;
• Impersonate any person or entity, or provide false information;
• Harass, threaten, defame, or abuse other users;
• Circumvent the booking flow or platform fees (e.g., by directing guests off-platform);
• Scrape, copy, or otherwise systematically extract content without our written permission;
• Interfere with, disrupt, or attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Platform or its infrastructure;
• Use the Platform to send spam, malware, or any harmful content.

10. Role of Homesbyli & Limitation of Liability

Homesbyli is an online marketplace that connects independent hosts with guests. We do not own, manage, control, inspect, or provide the properties listed on the Platform. The host is the sole party responsible for the accuracy of their listing, the condition of the property, and compliance with applicable law.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, and except where such limitation is prohibited by the Quebec Civil Code or the Consumer Protection Act, Homesbyli, its directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for:

• Property conditions, safety, accuracy, suitability, or legality;
• Acts or omissions of hosts, guests, or other third parties;
• Property damage, theft, or personal injury arising from a stay;
• Disputes between hosts and guests;
• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages;
• Lost profits, lost data, or business interruption.

Our aggregate liability arising out of or relating to the Platform or any single booking shall not exceed the greater of (a) the total fees Homesbyli has retained from that booking or (b) CAD $200, whichever is greater.

Nothing in these Terms limits any rights you may have as a consumer that cannot be waived under Quebec or Canadian consumer-protection legislation.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Homesbyli, its owners, directors, employees, and agents from any claim, demand, loss, liability, damage, or reasonable legal fees arising out of (a) your use of the Platform, (b) your breach of these Terms, (c) your violation of any applicable law, or (d) your violation of any rights of another party.

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Between Users

Disputes between hosts and guests should first be resolved directly through the Platform's messaging tools. Homesbyli may, at its discretion, provide mediation or evidence-based resolution but is under no obligation to intervene in user-to-user disputes.

12.2 Disputes With Homesbyli

Before pursuing formal proceedings against Homesbyli, you agree to first contact us at support@homesbyli.com and attempt to resolve the dispute in good faith for at least 30 days. Any unresolved dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the district of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, except where you have non-waivable consumer-protection rights to bring proceedings in another forum.

13. Intellectual Property

All Platform content, features, and functionality — including the "Homesbyli" name and logo, the visual design, source code, text, photographs commissioned by us, and all selection and arrangement of content — are owned by Homesbyli or our licensors and are protected by Canadian and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual-property laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, scrape, or create derivative works without our prior written permission.

When you upload content (e.g., listing photos, reviews) you grant Homesbyli a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to host, display, reproduce, and distribute that content solely for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform. You retain ownership of your content.

14. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Quebec and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

15. Changes to These Terms

We may modify these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated by email to your account address and via an in-Platform notice at least 30 days before they take effect. Non-material changes (typo fixes, clarifications) take effect immediately upon posting. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of a change constitutes acceptance.

16. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Reach us at:

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any additional policies referenced on the Platform (such as the Cancellation Policy and Host Guidelines), constitute the entire agreement between you and Homesbyli regarding the Service and supersede any prior agreements.