Terms & Conditions
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern access to and use of the Houi website, platform, and related services (“Platform”). By accessing or using Houi, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform.
Definitions
“Platform” means the Houi website, services, tools, and related features.
“Families” means individuals or households seeking care services.
“Caregivers” means independent individuals offering care services via the Platform.
1. About Houi
1.1 Houi’s Role
Houi operates as a care-matching and facilitation platform. Houi’s role is limited to facilitating introductions between Families and Caregivers.
Houi does not provide care services, does not assess care needs, and does not manage, supervise, or deliver care.
1.2 No Employment or Agency Relationship
Caregivers using Houi are independent contractors and are not employees, agents, or representatives of Houi.
Nothing in these Terms creates an employment relationship, partnership, joint venture, or agency relationship between Houi and any user.
2. Platform Use & Eligibility
2.1 Eligibility
All users must:
Be at least 18 years old
Provide accurate, truthful, and up-to-date information
Use the Platform only for lawful purposes
Houi reserves the right to restrict or terminate access where these requirements are not met.
3. Terms for Families
3.1 Matching & Introductions
Houi may assist Families by facilitating access to information about potential Caregivers and by enabling introductions based on information voluntarily provided by both parties.
Any suggested match is provided for information and convenience only.
Families retain full and final responsibility for deciding whether to engage a Caregiver and for agreeing the terms of any care arrangement directly with the Caregiver.
Houi does not:
Assess care needs
Create care plans
Determine what care should be delivered
Supervise or manage care delivery
3.2 Care Arrangements
All care arrangements, including scope of care, schedules, expectations, and payments for care services, are agreed directly between Families and Caregivers.
Houi is not a party to any care agreement.
3.3 Payments
Payments made to Houi relate to platform access, facilitation, or administrative services, unless otherwise stated.
Payments agreed directly between Families and Caregivers fall outside Houi’s control.
Platform fees are non-refundable once facilitation or access has been provided, unless otherwise required by law.
4. Terms for Caregivers
4.1 Independent Contractor Status
Caregivers confirm that they operate on a self-employed basis and are solely responsible for:
Income tax and National Insurance
Insurance (including professional liability where applicable)
Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
Houi does not deduct taxes, provide benefits, or make statutory contributions on behalf of Caregivers.
4.2 Care Delivery
Caregivers:
Provide services directly to Families
Retain control over how, when, and where care is delivered
Are responsible for meeting the terms agreed with Families
Houi does not manage, direct, or supervise care delivery.
4.3 Information Accuracy
Caregivers must ensure all information provided through the Platform is accurate and not misleading. Houi may remove access where false or inaccurate information is identified.
5. Verification, Checks & Safeguarding
5.1 Verification & Background Checks
Houi may, at its discretion, request or facilitate limited checks such as identity verification or DBS documentation.
Such checks are limited in scope and should not be relied upon as confirmation of suitability, competence, or conduct.
Houi does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or ongoing validity of any verification.
5.2 User Responsibility
All users are responsible for:
Verifying information provided by other users
Conducting their own due diligence
Acting lawfully, safely, and responsibly
Houi does not replace independent judgement, professional advice, or statutory obligations.
6. User-Generated Information
Information displayed on the Platform, including profiles, messages, availability, and experience, is provided by users.
Houi does not routinely verify user-generated content and makes no guarantees as to its accuracy or reliability.
7. No Warranties or Guarantees
The Platform is provided on an “as available” basis.
Houi makes no warranties or guarantees regarding:
Availability of Caregivers
Suitability of matches
Continuity of care
Outcomes of any care arrangement
Houi does not provide medical, clinical, safeguarding, or professional advice. Users must obtain independent professional advice where required.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Houi is not liable for:
Acts or omissions of Families or Caregivers
Quality, suitability, or outcomes of care
Disputes between users
Loss, injury, or damage arising from care arrangements
Use of the Platform is at the user’s own risk.
9. Indemnity
Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless Houi against claims arising from:
Breach of these Terms
Misrepresentation
Disputes between users
Care arrangements entered into independently
This does not limit any rights that cannot be excluded under applicable law.
10. Non-Circumvention & Platform Protection
10.1 Introductions
Where Houi facilitates an introduction between a Family and a Caregiver, that introduction is deemed to have been made through the Platform.
10.2 Non-Circumvention
Users agree that they will not knowingly circumvent Houi by engaging in care arrangements introduced through the Platform in a way that avoids applicable platform fees or services.
This restriction applies for 12 months from:
The date of first introduction, or
The date of last engagement with Houi in relation to that introduction,
whichever is later.
10.3 Scope
This provision does not prevent:
Caregivers from working independently outside of Houi generally
Families from seeking care from other sources
It applies only to introductions facilitated by Houi.
10.4 Acknowledgement
Users acknowledge that this restriction is reasonable and necessary to protect Houi’s legitimate business interests.
11. Termination
Houi may suspend or terminate access where:
These Terms are breached
Information provided is misleading
Continued use poses risk or harm
Users may stop using the Platform at any time.
12. Platform Status
Houi operates as a facilitation and matching platform only.
Houi does not carry out regulated care activities and does not replace regulated providers, professional advice, or statutory responsibilities.
13. Changes to These Terms
Houi may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Platform after changes are published constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
14. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
15. Contact
Email: support@houi.app