TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR HOMESHARERS

These Terms and Conditions apply to your application for Supportmatch Homeshare Services.
By submitting your application, you agree to these Terms.

 

1. Definitions

• • Householder: An individual introduced by Supportmatch Homeshare Ltd who offers accommodation in exchange for an agreed level of domestic help and companionship. This includes any legally appointed representative where applicable. 

• • Homesharer: An individual who provides companionship and domestic help (e.g., light cooking, cleaning, shopping) in exchange for accommodation and shared living with the Householder. 

• • Property: The residence of the Householder shared with the Homesharer. 

• • Homeshare: The mutual arrangement between the Householder and the Homesharer, facilitated by Supportmatch.
    

2. General Terms of the Homeshare Arrangement

• • The Homeshare arrangement is voluntary and mutually beneficial. 

• • The Homesharer is not expected to pay rent but may contribute modestly towards increased utility or council tax if agreed. 

• • No payment is made to the Homesharer for their support. 

• • Where a Power of Attorney applies, official documentation must be supplied to Supportmatch.
    

3. Duties and Responsibilities

• • Homesharers do not provide personal or professional care. 

• • The Householder is responsible for ensuring the Property is safe, habitable, and adequately insured. 

• • A Gas Safe registered engineer must inspect the boiler annually, and all fixed electrical installations must be safe. 

• • The Householder is responsible for buildings and contents insurance.
    

4. Cancellation and Refund Policy

• • If the Homesharer cancels after a Householder has been engaged but before they move in, a one-month fee remains payable to Supportmatch. 

• • The first monthly payment is non-refundable, regardless of the cancellation timing.

     

5. Fees

5.1 A monthly coordination fee of £190 is payable by the Homesharer via standing order, direct debit, or in advance for 3, 6, or 12 months. This fee becomes due from the Commencement Date (Homesharer move-in).

5.2 A non-refundable registration fee of £60 is payable upon acceptance of the application.

5.3 Late payments will incur interest at 1.5% above the Bank of England base rate per month, compounded monthly. 

 

6. Householder and Property Suitability 

• • Supportmatch will conduct interviews with potential Householders. However, it remains the Homesharer’s responsibility to ensure that the Householder and the Property meet their personal requirements. 

• • While Supportmatch will gather as much information as possible about potential Householders, it does not guarantee accuracy and completeness.
    
    

1. 7. Confidentiality

• • Information shared between the Homesharer and Supportmatch that is marked as confidential or understood as confidential will be treated as such by both parties.
    

8. Data Protection

• • Supportmatch complies with GDPR and UK data protection laws. 

• • Details on how data is handled can be found in the Supportmatch Privacy Policy.

     

9. Support and Liability

• • Supportmatch provides support primarily via email or phone. 

• • Supportmatch accepts no liability for any loss, damage, or dispute arising from the Homeshare arrangement.

     

10. Non-Circumvention and Relationship Boundaries

10.1 The Homesharer must not propose, accept, or enter into any private, financial, or alternative living arrangement with a Householder introduced by Supportmatch without prior written authorisation. 

10.2 The Homesharer and the Householder must not develop, pursue, or engage in any personal, romantic, sexual, or emotionally intimate relationship with each other at any time — including before, during, or for a period of three (3) years following the end of the Homeshare arrangement. The Homeshare arrangement is strictly a professional, non-personal arrangement based solely on practical support and cohabitation. 

10.3 Any breach of this clause — including attempts to form inappropriate relationships or bypass Supportmatch’s involvement will be treated as a serious contractual violation, and may result in immediate termination of the Homeshare. Damages of between 3 to 12 months’ fees may be pursued, depending on the severity of the breach.

 

11. Changes to Terms

Supportmatch reserves the right to revise these Terms at any time without prior notice. Updates will be posted on the Supportmatch website and communicated where appropriate. Continued participation implies acceptance of the revised Terms.
 

12. Homesharer Leave of Absence

• • Homesharers may take up to four weeks’ holiday per year, in two-week intervals, with at least four weeks’ notice. If extra holiday time is necessary this can be discussed directly with the Householder. 

• • For illness or emergency leave, immediate notice is required.
    
    

13. Householder Absence or Change of Circumstance

• • In the event of hospitalisation, holiday, or temporary absence, the Homesharer remains in the home to care for the Property. 

• • In the event of long-term care, hospital transfer, or death of the Householder, the Homesharer will be allowed to remain for a further 30 days, unless the Householder (or legal representative) requests otherwise in writing. For example an extended period of time.

     

14. Supportmatch Coordination

The assigned Supportmatch Coordinator will provide guidance and support throughout the duration of the agreement, managing expectations and reviewing the arrangement as needed.
All concerns from either party must be reported to Supportmatch in a timely manner to enable the Coordinator to offer appropriate assistance and ensure the success of the Homeshare match. Both the Householder and Homesharer are encouraged to provide updates—positive or negative—regarding the match when relevant. This feedback helps us improve our service and may be collected through follow-up communications or participation in a short survey.

1. 15. Compliance with Supportmatch Policies

The Householder and the Homesharer agrees to comply with all applicable Supportmatch policies, which form part of these Terms and Conditions. These include, but are not limited to: 

• • • • Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults Policy 

• • • • Equality & Diversity Policy 

• • • • Complaints and Grievance Policy 

• • • • Whistleblowing Policy 

• • • • Volunteer Code of Conduct 

• • • • Data Protection and Confidentiality Guidelines 

• • • • Anti-Modern Day Slavery Policy  

• • • • Health and Safety Policy  

• • • • Code of Conduct for Volunteers 

• • • • Privacy Policy and GDPR 

 

These policies are available upon request or can be accessed on the Supportmatch website. Supportmatch reserves the right to update these policies to ensure continued legal and ethical compliance.