Effective Date: February 7, 2026
Borrowhood is a peer-to-peer platform that enables users within a geographic community to share, lend, and rent tools and other personal items. Borrowhood acts solely as a technology intermediary connecting item owners ("Owners") with individuals seeking to borrow or rent items ("Renters"). Borrowhood is not a party to any transaction between Users, does not own, possess, manage, inspect, or control any items listed on the Platform, and does not act as an agent, insurer, or guarantor for any User.
You must be at least 18 years of age and capable of forming a binding contract to use the Platform. By registering an account, you represent and warrant that all information you provide is accurate, current, and complete. You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity under your account.
You agree to immediately notify Borrowhood of any unauthorized use of your account. Borrowhood is not liable for any loss or damage arising from unauthorized account access.
Free Users may lend and borrow items from friends and neighbors within their immediate neighborhood, list items for lending (non-rental), and communicate with other Users within the neighborhood scope.
A Plus subscription ("Plus Membership") is a paid recurring membership that unlocks premium features, including but not limited to: access to town-wide browsing and content, the ability to list items for rent, reduced platform fees on rental transactions, and other benefits as described on the Platform. Plus Memberships are billed on a monthly or annual basis through Stripe, Inc. ("Stripe"), our third-party payment processor.
Certain features, including town-wide browsing and rental listing, require identity verification through Stripe Identity. By using these features, you consent to Stripe's identity verification process, which may include document and selfie verification. Borrowhood does not store your identity documents; they are processed and retained by Stripe in accordance with Stripe's privacy policy.
Identity verification does not constitute an endorsement, background check, or guarantee of any User's character, reliability, or trustworthiness. You should exercise your own judgment when transacting with other users.
Owners who list items for rent must complete Stripe Connect onboarding to receive payouts. By enrolling in Stripe Connect, you agree to Stripe's Connected Account Agreement. Borrowhood is not responsible for the timing, accuracy, or availability of payouts processed by Stripe.
All rental transactions are agreements solely between the Owner and the Renter. Borrowhood facilitates the transaction by providing the technology platform and payment processing infrastructure. Borrowhood is not a party to, and assumes no liability for, any rental agreement, item condition, item performance, damage, loss, theft, injury, or any other matter arising from a rental transaction.
When a Renter requests an item, an authorization hold is placed on the Renter's payment method for the total estimated rental fee plus damage deposit. This hold is not a charge. Upon pickup confirmation, the rental fee is captured. The damage deposit hold is released upon confirmed return in acceptable condition or captured in whole or in part if a damage claim is filed. Late fees may be assessed as a separate charge. All payment processing is handled by Stripe and subject to Stripe's terms of service.
Borrowhood charges a platform fee on each rental transaction, deducted from the Owner's payout. The current platform fee percentage is displayed during listing creation and at checkout. Plus subscribers may receive a reduced platform fee. Borrowhood reserves the right to modify fee structures with 30 days' notice.
Owners may file a damage claim upon item return. Damage claims are processed against the Renter's damage deposit hold. If the claimed amount exceeds the deposit, an additional charge may be applied to the Renter's payment method. Borrowhood does not adjudicate, mediate, or arbitrate disputes between Users regarding item condition, damage, or damage claim amounts. Users are encouraged to resolve disputes directly. Borrowhood may, at its sole discretion, provide limited dispute facilitation but is under no obligation to do so and accepts no liability for the outcome of any dispute.
If an item is not returned by the agreed-upon end date, late fees accrue at the daily rate set by the Owner. Borrowhood may capture the full damage deposit as a penalty after a defined period of non-return. Persistent late returns or non-returns may result in account suspension or termination.
Plus Memberships automatically renew at the end of each billing cycle (monthly or annual) unless cancelled before the renewal date. You authorize Borrowhood and Stripe to charge your payment method on file for all applicable fees.
You may cancel your Plus Membership at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. Upon cancellation: town-wide browsing access is revoked, rental listings are hidden from search (but active rentals continue to completion), and you revert to Free User status. No refunds are provided for partial billing periods.
If a subscription payment fails, Borrowhood may retry the charge, restrict access to premium features, and ultimately cancel the subscription. You are responsible for maintaining a valid payment method.
As an Owner, you are solely responsible for:
As a Renter, you are solely responsible for:
Users shall not list, rent, or share:
Users shall not use the Platform for any unlawful purpose, to harass or harm other Users, to submit false or misleading information, to manipulate reviews or ratings, or to circumvent any Platform fees or safeguards.
THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, BORROWHOOD DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
BORROWHOOD SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS, OR EXPENSES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO: any rental transaction between Users; the condition, quality, safety, legality, or suitability of any item; damage to, loss of, or theft of any item; personal injury, property damage, or death arising from the use of any item or any interaction between Users; any dispute between Users; late returns or non-returns; any damage claim or the outcome thereof; or any User's failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations.
Borrowhood shall not be liable for any failure, error, interruption, or delay in payment processing by Stripe or any other third-party service provider, including but not limited to failures in identity verification, payment authorization, fund transfers, or payout processing.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL BORROWHOOD'S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM EXCEED THE GREATER OF: (A) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FEES PAID BY YOU TO BORROWHOOD IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00).
IN NO EVENT SHALL BORROWHOOD BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, EVEN IF BORROWHOOD HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
THE LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS IN THIS SECTION REFLECT A REASONABLE ALLOCATION OF RISK AND ARE A FUNDAMENTAL BASIS OF THE BARGAIN BETWEEN YOU AND BORROWHOOD. BORROWHOOD WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE PLATFORM WITHOUT THESE LIMITATIONS.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Borrowhood and its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively, "Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, proceedings, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) arising out of or related to:
This indemnification obligation shall survive the termination of these Terms and your use of the Platform.
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM AND PARTICIPATION IN ANY TRANSACTION INVOLVES INHERENT RISKS. These risks include, but are not limited to:
BY USING THE PLATFORM, YOU VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM AND ANY TRANSACTION, AND YOU RELEASE BORROWHOOD AND THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, AND DAMAGES (ACTUAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL) OF EVERY KIND AND NATURE, KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH SUCH RISKS.
All content, features, and functionality of the Platform, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, software, and the overall design and arrangement thereof, are the exclusive property of Borrowhood or its licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any Platform content without prior written consent.
Your use of the Platform is subject to our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in the Privacy Policy. Identity verification data is processed by Stripe in accordance with Stripe's privacy policy and applicable law. Borrowhood does not store identity documents.
Borrowhood may suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Upon termination:
ANY DISPUTE, CLAIM, OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM SHALL BE RESOLVED EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH BINDING INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration shall be conducted in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
YOU AND BORROWHOOD AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding.
Notwithstanding the above, either party may bring an individual action in small claims court for disputes within the court's jurisdictional limits.
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal action not subject to arbitration shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Borrowhood reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via the Platform or email at least 30 days before they take effect. Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any modification constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using the Platform and cancel your account.
Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other policies referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and Borrowhood regarding your use of the Platform.
Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
Waiver: The failure of Borrowhood to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
Assignment: You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without Borrowhood's prior written consent. Borrowhood may assign these Terms without restriction.
Force Majeure: Borrowhood shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, labor disputes, government actions, internet or power outages, or third-party service failures.
No Agency: Nothing in these Terms creates any agency, partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship between you and Borrowhood. You have no authority to bind Borrowhood in any respect.
If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us at:
Email: chris@borrowhood.net
BY USING THE PLATFORM, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS OF SERVICE. YOU FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THESE TERMS CONSTITUTE A BINDING LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND BORROWHOOD.
Last Updated: February 7, 2026