Terms of Service
1. Introduction
Welcome to OpenCourtyard. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the OpenCourtyard platform ("Service"), operated by OpenCourtyard Ltd ("we", "us", or "our").
By creating an account or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Service.
2. Description of Service
OpenCourtyard is a residential estate management platform that enables:
- Communication between residents and administrators
- Issue reporting and tracking
- Community surveys and polls
- Resident directory and contact management
- Document sharing and newsletters
- Election and nomination management
- Idea submission and voting
3. Account Registration
3.1 Eligibility
To use OpenCourtyard, you must be at least 16 years old and be associated with a participating residential estate (as a resident, owner, administrator, or authorised representative).
3.2 Account Security
You are responsible for:
- Providing accurate and complete registration information
- Maintaining the security of your account credentials
- All activities that occur under your account
- Notifying us immediately of any unauthorised access
We recommend using a strong, unique password and enabling any additional security features we provide.
3.3 One Account Per Person
Each individual may only maintain one account. You may be a member of multiple estates with a single account.
4. Acceptable Use
4.1 Permitted Uses
You may use OpenCourtyard for its intended purposes: communicating with your residential community, participating in estate matters, and accessing estate-related information.
4.2 Prohibited Conduct
You agree not to:
- Impersonate another person or misrepresent your association with an estate
- Post content that is defamatory, abusive, threatening, or harassing
- Share false or misleading information
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to other accounts or systems
- Use the Service for commercial purposes unrelated to estate management
- Upload malicious software or content
- Interfere with the operation of the Service
- Violate any applicable laws or regulations
- Collect personal information about other users without consent
- Use automated systems to access the Service without our permission
4.3 Content Standards
All content you post must be relevant to your residential community. Estate administrators may moderate content and remove posts that violate community standards.
5. User Content
5.1 Your Content
You retain ownership of content you create on OpenCourtyard (issues, comments, ideas, survey responses, etc.). By posting content, you grant us a licence to display and store that content as necessary to provide the Service.
5.2 Content Removal
We reserve the right to remove content that violates these Terms or applicable laws. Estate administrators may also moderate content within their estates.
5.3 Anonymity and Privacy
Some features (like anonymous surveys) are designed to protect your privacy. Do not attempt to identify anonymous respondents or circumvent privacy protections.
6. Estate Membership
6.1 Joining Estates
You may join an estate by invitation from an estate administrator, through a self-registration link (if enabled), or by creating a new estate (subject to verification).
6.2 Membership Approval
Estate administrators may require approval before granting full membership. Pending members may have limited access to estate features.
6.3 Membership Termination
Estate administrators may suspend or remove members who violate estate rules or these Terms. Removed members may request reinstatement from the estate administrator.
7. Administrator Responsibilities
If you are an estate administrator, you have additional responsibilities:
- Ensuring your estate complies with data protection laws (as Data Controller)
- Managing member access and permissions appropriately
- Moderating content within your estate
- Responding to member concerns and requests
- Maintaining accurate estate and unit information
8. Data Protection
Our collection and use of personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy. By using the Service, you acknowledge that:
- OpenCourtyard acts as a Data Processor on behalf of your estate (the Data Controller)
- Your estate determines what data is collected and how it is used
- You can exercise your data protection rights through your account settings or by contacting us
9. Service Availability
9.1 Uptime
We strive to maintain high availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. We may perform maintenance that temporarily affects availability.
9.2 Modifications
We may modify, update, or discontinue features of the Service at any time. We will provide reasonable notice of significant changes.
10. Intellectual Property
10.1 Our Rights
OpenCourtyard, including its design, features, and underlying technology, is protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, or reverse-engineer the Service.
10.2 Feedback
If you provide suggestions or feedback about the Service, we may use them without obligation to you.
11. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law:
- •The Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied.
- •We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Service.
- •Our total liability for any claim related to the Service shall not exceed the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim (or £100 if you have not paid anything).
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.
12. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless OpenCourtyard and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your violation of these Terms or your use of the Service.
13. Account Termination
13.1 Termination by You
You may delete your account at any time through your account settings. Account deletion is subject to a 30-day grace period during which you can cancel the deletion request.
13.2 Termination by Us
We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or pose a security risk. We will provide notice where reasonably possible.
13.3 Effect of Termination
Upon termination, your right to use the Service ends. Some provisions of these Terms (including limitations of liability and indemnification) survive termination.
14. Dispute Resolution
14.1 Informal Resolution
Before initiating legal proceedings, you agree to contact us at [email protected] to attempt informal resolution.
14.2 Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
15. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by email or through the Service. Your continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
16. General Provisions
- •Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and OpenCourtyard.
- •Severability: If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in effect.
- •No Waiver: Our failure to enforce any provision does not waive our right to enforce it later.
- •Assignment: You may not assign your rights under these Terms. We may assign our rights to a successor or affiliate.
17. Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us: