TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR HOUSEHOLDERS
These Terms and Conditions apply to your application for Supportmatch Homeshare Services. Please read them carefully. By submitting your application, you agree to these Terms.
1. Definitions
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- Householder: An individual introduced by Supportmatch Homeshare Ltd willing to offer accommodation in exchange for an agreed level of domestic help (e.g., light cooking, cleaning, shopping) and companionship. This term includes any legally appointed representative, if applicable.
- Homesharer: An individual willing to provide domestic help and companionship in exchange for accommodation and family life participation with the Householder.
- Property: The residence of the Householder that is shared with the Homesharer.
- Homeshare: The arrangement between the Householder and the Homesharer.
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2. General Terms of the Homeshare Arrangement
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- The Homesharer will not pay fees to the Householder for accommodation, except for a small contribution towards increased utility and council tax costs if applicable. The Householder will not pay fees for help provided by the Homesharer. The arrangement is mutually beneficial and voluntary.
- If the Householder has a delegated power of attorney, proof of such power must be provided to Supportmatch.
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3. Duties and Responsibilities
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- The Homesharer is not required to provide professional care services.
- The Householder must ensure the safety and suitability of the Property and maintain adequate insurance with a reputable insurance provider during the Homeshare period.
- The Householder must ensure regular inspection of the gas boiler by a Gas Safe registered engineer and verify the safety of fixed electrical installations and appliances. Building and contents insurance is the responsibility of the Householder.
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4. Cancellation and Refund Policy
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- If the Householder cancels after engaging the Homesharer but before they move in, the Householder must pay one monthly fee to Supportmatch. The first monthly fee is non-refundable, regardless of the cancellation date.
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5. Fees
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- 5.1 Supportmatch offers services at the lowest feasible cost. A monthly fee of £150 is charged to the Householder, payable by standing order or direct debit, or in advance for 3, 6, or 12 months by bank transfer or cheque. The monthly fee will be stated in the cover letter and Terms of Service Agreement sent to the Householder following registration, and is payable from the Commencement Date of the Homeshare Terms of Service Agreement (i.e. the Move-In Date of the Homesharer).
- 5.2 Supportmatch charges each Householder a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of £60, due upon acceptance of the application.
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5.3 Late payments may incur interest at a rate of 1.5% over the Bank of England Base Rate per month, compounded monthly on unpaid invoices.
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6. Suitability of Homesharer
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- Supportmatch will interview and fully vet Homesharer candidates; however, the Householder is ultimately responsible for ensuring the Homesharer meets their requirements.
- While Supportmatch gathers as much information as possible about each Homesharer, it does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and makes no representations or warranties regarding the Homesharer’s capability, medical condition, character, or suitability.
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7. Confidentiality
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- Information shared between the Householder and Supportmatch that is marked as confidential or understood to be confidential will be treated as such by both parties.
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8. Data Protection
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- Supportmatch processes personal information per applicable data protection laws, including the EU GDPR. For more information, refer to the Privacy Policy on data management.
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9. Support and Liability
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- Supportmatch provides ongoing support via phone and email but is not obligated to perform home visits to assess or monitor the Homeshare.
- Supportmatch and its staff assume no responsibility or liability for damages, claims, or costs arising from or related to the Homeshare.
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10. Non-Circumvention
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- 10.1 To maintain Supportmatch’s services, the Householder and Homesharer must refrain from circumventing the fees or services provided by Supportmatch during the Homeshare. The Householder may not propose or accept any direct arrangement with the Homesharer without Supportmatch’s written consent.
- 10.2 Any breach of clause 10.1 by the Householder causes irreparable harm to Supportmatch. In such cases, the Householder agrees to pay damages equivalent to 3–12 months’ fees under this Agreement.
- 10.3 During the Homeshare and for at least three (3) years post-termination, the Householder must not enter into any private arrangement with any party (Householder or Homesharer) introduced by Supportmatch Homeshare Ltd or Support&Match CIC.
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11. Changes to Terms and Conditions, Right to Amend
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- Supportmatch Homeshare reserves the right to change, update, or revise these Terms and Conditions at any time, at its sole discretion, and without prior notice. Any such amendments will be effective immediately upon being posted to the Supportmatch Homeshare website or communicated through other appropriate means. It is the responsibility of the Householder and Homesharer to review these Terms and Conditions periodically to remain informed of any changes. Continued participation in the Homeshare program constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms and Conditions.
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12. Homesharer’s Leave of Absence
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- The Homesharer may take up to two weeks’ holiday at a time, totalling a maximum of four weeks per year, with at least four weeks’ notice provided to both the Householder and Supportmatch.
- In the event of a leave of absence due to illness or personal reasons, the Homesharer must immediately inform the Householder and Supportmatch. A medical certificate is required for absences longer than two weeks. If the absence extends beyond four weeks, the Homesharer may need to vacate the Property to allow a replacement.
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13. Householder’s Absence
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- If the Householder is hospitalized or on holiday, the Homesharer will remain in the Property to care for it as agreed.
- In cases of long-term illness, transfer to a care home, or the death of the Householder, the Homesharer will be given a one-month notice to vacate the Property, during which time they will act as a house sitter. This does not apply if the Householder requests in writing that the Homesharer remain longer than one month.
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14. Supportmatch Coordination
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- The Supportmatch Coordinator will outline the agreed tasks and timings for the Homesharer and update them as needed.
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