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Terms of Service

Published: September 7, 2026

About this update. These Terms describe lending, free giveaways, sales, private sharing, and chat photos in the current app. They replace descriptions of paid memberships, platform payment processing, and automatic charges.

For new users, these Terms apply from September 7, 2026. For existing users, material changes take effect no earlier than 30 days after we communicate notice through the Platform or by email. Until then, the previous Terms continue to apply. Posting this version does not by itself establish that an existing user has received notice.

IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and Borrowhood ("Borrowhood," "we," "us," or "our"). By accessing or using the Borrowhood mobile application, website, or any related services (collectively, the "Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

1. Platform Overview

Borrowhood connects people who want to lend, borrow, give away, buy, or sell personal items. Users can post requests, choose an audience for listings, offer one item privately, and communicate with one another. Item owners and sellers are referred to as "Owners"; people borrowing items are "Borrowers." Buyers and giveaway recipients are also Users.

Agreements about items are between the participating Users. Borrowhood provides the technology to help them connect and coordinate exchanges. Borrowhood does not own, possess, manage, inspect, or control listed items and does not act as an agent, insurer, or guarantor for a User.

2. Eligibility and Account Registration

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.

3. Accounts, Sharing, and Verification

3.1 Account Access

You may create an account using the sign-up methods offered in the app, including email and password, Apple, or Google. Keep your email address and account information current. Signing in with Apple or Google is separate from Borrowhood's identity verification.

3.2 Listing Audiences and Private Offers

Use the app's sharing settings to choose who may see an item or request. Available audiences can include private inventory, accepted friends, eligible groups, and verified neighbors in your town. Access depends on the selected audience and applicable membership or verification requirements.

A private offer shares the selected item with the requester; it does not share your entire inventory. Access related to an offer or exchange can continue as needed for that exchange. Changing a sharing setting does not retrieve content that another person has already downloaded or copied. Share pickup details only with the people who need them.

3.3 Identity Verification

Some features require identity verification through Stripe Identity. If you choose to verify, Stripe may ask for an identity document and selfie. Borrowhood receives verification results; identity documents are handled by Stripe under its privacy policy. Borrowhood does not store copies of your identity documents.

Identity verification confirms identity information. It is not a background check, endorsement, insurance policy, or guarantee of a User's conduct or the condition of an item.

3.4 Community Ranks and Reviews

Community ranks reflect participation, including completed exchanges. Current rank thresholds are shown in the app and may change. Ranks and reviews are not identity checks, insurance, or guarantees. Reviews must reflect genuine experiences, and Users must not create fake exchanges or manipulate ranks or reviews.

4. Lending, Giveaways, and Sales

4.1 Lending

A lending listing offers temporary use of an item. Agree on pickup, the return date, the item's condition, and any disclosed borrowing fee before the exchange. Borrowers must return the item as agreed, allowing for normal wear from permitted use. Any fee must be disclosed clearly; a listing described as free to borrow must not require an undisclosed payment.

4.2 Giveaways

Giveaways are always free to keep. You may not require a purchase, borrowing fee, deposit, mandatory donation, or other payment as a condition of receiving a giveaway. Use a Sell listing if you want payment for an item.

4.3 Sales

A Sell listing offers an item for purchase rather than temporary borrowing. Sellers must have the right to sell the item and provide accurate descriptions, photos, condition information, and prices. The buyer and seller agree directly on the final price, payment method, pickup, and any return arrangements, subject to applicable law.

4.4 Requests, Pickup, and Cancellation

Sending a request does not guarantee that an item will be available. After acceptance, the participants should contact one another to arrange pickup. Acceptance alone does not confirm that pickup or payment has occurred. Record pickup and, for loans, return accurately in the app. Either participant may cancel before pickup using the available controls and should let the other person know promptly. After pickup, Users remain responsible for completing their agreement or resolving an issue directly.

4.5 Direct Payments and Disputes

Borrowhood does not collect or process payments for exchanges in the current app. Any sale price or disclosed borrowing fee is arranged directly between Users. Borrowhood does not place payment holds, collect deposits, issue payouts or refunds, impose automatic late charges, or provide escrow or purchase protection.

Users should discuss missing items, damage, late returns, payment questions, and cancellations directly and keep relevant records. Reporting a problem to Borrowhood can help us investigate misuse of the Platform; it does not authorize a charge or guarantee reimbursement. Each User is responsible for any taxes, permits, or other obligations that apply to their activity under applicable law.

5. Platform Access and Future Paid Features

The current app does not offer paid memberships or charge an exchange platform fee. Any price shown on a neighbor's listing is that neighbor's price, not a payment to Borrowhood. If we introduce paid Platform features, we will disclose the applicable pricing and terms before purchase and obtain any required consent. These Terms do not authorize automatic enrollment or billing for a future paid feature.

This update does not retroactively alter an exchange or purchase made under an earlier agreement. Contact chris@borrowhood.net with questions about an earlier transaction.

6. User Responsibilities

6.1 Owner Responsibilities

As an Owner, you are solely responsible for:

6.2 Borrower Responsibilities

As a Borrower, you are solely responsible for:

6.3 Buyers and Giveaway Recipients

Inspect an item before accepting it, agree on pickup with the Owner, and accurately confirm receipt. Buyers must pay the price they agreed with the seller. Giveaway recipients do not owe a price for the item. Ownership transfers according to the agreement between Users and applicable law.

6.4 Insurance

BORROWHOOD DOES NOT PROVIDE INSURANCE OF ANY KIND. Borrowhood strongly recommends that all Users maintain appropriate homeowners', renters', or personal liability insurance that covers lending, borrowing, and rental activities. You acknowledge that your existing insurance policies may not cover losses arising from peer-to-peer rentals.

7. Prohibited Items and Conduct

Users shall not list, request, lend, give away, buy, sell, or otherwise exchange:

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 Platform access controls or safeguards.

7.1 Posts, Messages, and Photos

These rules apply to listings, requests, public replies, private messages, photos, profiles, and reviews. You must have the right to share the content you submit. Do not post or send threats, harassment, hate speech, sexual exploitation, pornography, scams, spam, or another person's private information without permission. Do not impersonate another person or use photos or descriptions to mislead others.

Use the in-app report and block tools, or contact chris@borrowhood.net, to report content or conduct that violates these Terms. Borrowhood may review reports, remove content, restrict features, or suspend or terminate accounts. Reports are reviewed to address violations; submitting a report does not guarantee a particular outcome. A private message is intended for its participants, but may be reviewed as described in the Privacy Policy for support, abuse reports, security, or legal requirements.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

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:

9. Limitation of Liability

9.1 No Liability for User Transactions

BORROWHOOD SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS, OR EXPENSES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO: any lending, giveaway, or sale 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.

9.2 No Liability for Third-Party Services

Borrowhood uses third-party services for features such as sign-in, identity verification, hosting, and communications. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Borrowhood is not liable for failures, errors, interruptions, or delays caused by those third-party services. Payments that Users arrange independently are governed by the terms of the provider they choose.

9.3 Maximum Liability

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).

9.4 Exclusion of Consequential Damages

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.

9.5 Basis of the Bargain

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.

10. Indemnification

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.

11. Assumption of Risk

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.

12. Intellectual Property

Except for User content, the 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.

You retain ownership of the content you submit. You give Borrowhood permission to store, process, display, and transmit it as needed to operate and secure the Platform, consistent with your sharing settings and our Privacy Policy. This permission includes creating thumbnails and delivering the photos and messages you choose to share. It does not transfer ownership of your content to Borrowhood. When you delete content, remaining copies are handled under the Privacy Policy and applicable law.

If you use suggested item details generated from a photo, review and correct them before publishing. Suggestions may be inaccurate; you remain responsible for your listing.

13. Privacy and Data

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.

14. Termination

Borrowhood may suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Upon termination:

You can request deletion through Profile > Account > Delete Account in the app, or contact us for help. Data deletion and any required retention are described in the Privacy Policy.

15. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

15.1 Mandatory Arbitration

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.

15.2 Class Action Waiver

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.

15.3 Small Claims Exception

Notwithstanding the above, either party may bring an individual action in small claims court for disputes within the court's jurisdictional limits.

16. Governing Law

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.

17. Modifications to Terms

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.

18. General Provisions

Rights that cannot be waived: Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits a right, remedy, warranty, or liability that applicable law does not allow to be excluded or limited.

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.

19. Contact Information

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: September 7, 2026