Terms of Service

1. Introduction and Acceptance

Welcome to Hale Technology ("Company", "we", "our", or "us"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our websites, mobile applications, and services (collectively, the "Services").

By accessing or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use our Services.

2. About Our Services

Hale Technology provides a range of digital services and applications, including but not limited to:

• RentIt: Property rental platform connecting landlords and tenants
• Landlord Assist UK: Property management solutions
• UK Networking: Business networking and event management platform
• Young Guns: Youth employment and job board services
• Builders Mate: Construction cost calculation tools
• Reception: Beauty business management solutions
• Custom software development and technology consulting services

3. User Accounts and Registration

3.1 Account Creation

To access certain features of our Services, you may need to create an account. When creating an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Maintain the security of your account credentials
• Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorised use of your account

3.2 Age Requirements

You must be at least 16 years old to use our Services. If you are under 18, you must have parental or guardian consent. Some services, such as Young Guns, may have specific age requirements outlined in their respective terms.

3.3 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time if:

• You violate these Terms
• Your account is involved in fraudulent or illegal activities
• Your account has been inactive for an extended period
• We are required to do so by law

4. User Conduct and Responsibilities

4.1 Acceptable Use

When using our Services, you agree not to:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe on intellectual property rights of others
• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent content
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Distribute spam, malware, or viruses
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to our systems
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) without permission
• Impersonate others or misrepresent your affiliation
• Interfere with or disrupt the Services
• Collect or harvest user data without consent

4.2 Content Standards

All content you submit must:

• Be accurate and not misleading
• Comply with UK laws and regulations
• Not contain offensive, discriminatory, or harmful material
• Respect the privacy and rights of others
• Not promote illegal activities or violence

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Our Content

All content, features, and functionality of our Services, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, audio clips, software, and code, are the exclusive property of Hale Technology or its licensors and are protected by UK and international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

5.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of content you submit to our Services ("User Content"). By submitting User Content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable licence to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform your User Content in connection with the Services.

5.3 Trademarks

Hale Technology, our logo, and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are trademarks of Hale Technology. You must not use such marks without our prior written permission.

6. Payment and Subscriptions

6.1 Pricing

Some of our Services may require payment. All prices are displayed in British Pounds (GBP) and include VAT where applicable. We reserve the right to change our pricing with reasonable notice.

6.2 Subscriptions

For subscription-based services:

• Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled before the renewal date
• You will be charged at the beginning of each billing cycle
• You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings
• Cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing period
• No refunds for partial billing periods unless required by law

6.3 Payment Processing

Payments are processed through secure third-party payment processors. We do not store your full payment card details. You agree to provide accurate payment information and authorise us to charge your payment method for the Services.

6.4 Refund Policy

Refunds are handled in accordance with UK consumer protection laws. You have the right to cancel within 14 days of purchase for digital content that has not been downloaded or accessed. Specific refund terms may apply to individual applications and services.

7. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Key privacy commitments:

• We collect only necessary personal data
• Your data is stored securely in the UK or EEA
• We do not sell your personal data to third parties
• You have rights to access, correct, and delete your data
• We use cookies as described in our Cookie Policy

For detailed information, please review our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

8. Third-Party Services and Links

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not owned or controlled by Hale Technology. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party services.

You acknowledge and agree that Hale Technology shall not be responsible or liable for any damage or loss caused by or in connection with the use of any third-party services.

9. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

9.1 Service Availability

We strive to provide reliable Services, but we cannot guarantee that our Services will be available at all times without interruption. We may suspend or withdraw all or part of our Services for maintenance, updates, or other reasons.

9.2 "As Is" Basis

Our Services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

9.3 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by UK law, Hale Technology, its directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for:

• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• Service interruptions or data loss
• Actions or content of third parties

Our total liability to you for any claim arising from or relating to these Terms or the Services shall not exceed the amount you paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim, or £100, whichever is greater.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Hale Technology, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, arising out of or in any way connected with:

• Your access to or use of the Services
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another person or entity
• Your User Content

11. Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated Terms on our website
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending you an email notification (for significant changes)
• Displaying an in-app notification

Your continued use of the Services after changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using the Services.

12. Termination

12.1 By You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us or using the account deletion feature in your account settings. Upon termination, your right to use the Services will immediately cease.

12.2 By Us

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including if you breach these Terms.

12.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Services will cease immediately
• We may delete your account and User Content
• We will retain data as required by law or legitimate business purposes
• Provisions that by their nature should survive termination will survive

13. Dispute Resolution

13.1 Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

13.2 Jurisdiction

The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with these Terms or their subject matter or formation.

13.3 Alternative Dispute Resolution

Before pursuing litigation, we encourage you to contact us to seek an informal resolution. If you are a consumer in the European Union, you may also use the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution platform.

14. General Provisions

14.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Hale Technology regarding the Services and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

14.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

14.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights.

14.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights under them without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations under these Terms without your consent.

14.5 Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, war, terrorism, strikes, or internet service provider failures.

15. App-Specific Terms

Certain applications may have additional terms and conditions specific to their functionality. These app-specific terms supplement and should be read in conjunction with these general Terms of Service.

15.1 Mobile Applications

For mobile applications downloaded from app stores:

• You must comply with the applicable app store terms of service
• The app store provider is not responsible for the application
• We, not the app store, are responsible for addressing any claims
• Updates may be required for continued functionality

15.2 Property Services (RentIt, Landlord Assist UK)

For property-related services:

• We are a platform provider, not a property agent or landlord
• Users are responsible for verifying property information
• We do not conduct background checks or tenancy agreements
• Transactions between users are their sole responsibility
• We are not liable for property disputes or damages

15.3 Networking Services (UK Networking)

For networking and event services:

• Event organisers are responsible for event content and safety
• We do not verify the identity of all users
• Users are responsible for their own safety at events
• We are not liable for interactions between users

15.4 Employment Services (Young Guns)

For job board services:

• We do not verify or endorse job postings or employers
• Users should exercise due diligence when applying for jobs
• We are not party to employment agreements
• Employers must comply with UK employment laws

16. Contact Information