Acceptable Use Policy

    Guidelines for appropriate use of our platform

    Acceptable Use Policy

    IMPORTANT NOTICE

    This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") governs your use of RentalTide's Services. Violation of this policy may result in immediate suspension or termination of your account without notice or refund. By using our Services, you agree to comply with all terms outlined below.

    1. Introduction

    This Acceptable Use Policy applies to all users of RentalTide Inc.'s ("RentalTide," "we," "us," or "our"), a corporation incorporated in Delaware, United States, with additional registration in Canada, booking platform, website, applications, APIs, and related services (collectively, the "Services"). This policy supplements our Terms of Service and other agreements.

    Contact Information: RentalTide Inc. (Delaware) 110 Didsbury Road, Ottawa, Ontario K2J 4T4, Canada 1111B S Governors Ave STE 48363, Dover, DE 19904, United States Phone: 888-709-2650 Email: legal@rentaltide.com

    2. Scope of Application

    This policy applies to:

    • All rental operators using our platform ("Operators")
    • All customers making bookings ("Renters")
    • Website visitors and application users
    • API consumers and integration partners
    • Any third parties accessing our Services

    3. Prohibited Activities

    3.1 Illegal Activities

    You may NOT use our Services to:

    • Engage in any illegal activities or violations of local, provincial, federal, or international laws
    • Facilitate money laundering, terrorism financing, or sanctions violations
    • Promote or enable fraud, theft, or other criminal activities
    • Violate intellectual property rights of others
    • Engage in tax evasion or other financial crimes

    3.2 Harmful Content

    You may NOT upload, transmit, or distribute:

    • Pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit content
    • Content promoting violence, hatred, or discrimination
    • Defamatory, libelous, or harassing content
    • Content that violates privacy rights of others
    • Malware, viruses, or other harmful code
    • Spam, unsolicited advertisements, or bulk communications

    3.3 Platform Abuse

    You may NOT:

    • Create fake accounts or impersonate others
    • Manipulate reviews, ratings, or booking data
    • Attempt to bypass security measures or access restrictions
    • Reverse engineer, decompile, or hack our Services
    • Use automated tools to scrape data without permission
    • Overwhelm our systems with excessive requests

    3.4 Business Violations

    You may NOT:

    • Operate illegal rental businesses (unlicensed activities, zoning violations)
    • Rent unsafe, defective, or recalled equipment
    • Discriminate against customers based on protected characteristics
    • Engage in predatory pricing or anti-competitive practices
    • Violate local business licensing or tax obligations
    • Misrepresent your business, assets, or credentials

    3.5 Financial Misconduct

    You may NOT:

    • Process fraudulent transactions or payments
    • Engage in chargeback fraud or payment disputes in bad faith
    • Launder money through the platform
    • Evade fees or manipulate pricing structures
    • Use stolen payment methods or financial information

    4. Rental-Specific Prohibitions

    4.1 Prohibited Rental Categories

    The following items may NOT be rented through our platform:

    • Weapons, firearms, ammunition, or military equipment
    • Illegal drugs, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia
    • Stolen or counterfeit goods
    • Items requiring special licenses you don't possess
    • Unsafe or recalled products
    • Live animals or biological materials
    • Radioactive or hazardous materials

    4.2 Safety Requirements

    All rental operators must:

    • Ensure equipment meets safety standards and regulations
    • Provide proper safety instructions and warnings
    • Maintain appropriate insurance coverage
    • Conduct regular safety inspections and maintenance
    • Remove unsafe items from availability immediately

    4.3 Compliance Obligations

    Operators must:

    • Hold all required business licenses and permits
    • Comply with local zoning and operating restrictions
    • Maintain proper tax registrations and remit applicable taxes
    • Follow accessibility and anti-discrimination laws
    • Adhere to environmental regulations

    5. Data and Privacy Requirements

    5.1 Customer Data Protection

    You must:

    • Collect only necessary customer information
    • Protect customer data with appropriate security measures
    • Comply with applicable privacy laws (PIPEDA, GDPR, CCPA)
    • Obtain proper consent for data collection and use
    • Report data breaches promptly

    5.2 Prohibited Data Practices

    You may NOT:

    • Sell or share customer data with third parties without consent
    • Use customer data for unauthorized marketing
    • Store customer data insecurely
    • Access or attempt to access other users' data
    • Share login credentials or account access

    6. Intellectual Property Respect

    6.1 Content Ownership

    • You retain ownership of content you upload
    • You grant RentalTide necessary licenses to operate the platform
    • You must own or have rights to all content you upload
    • You may not infringe on others' intellectual property rights

    6.2 Platform Rights

    • RentalTide owns all platform technology and trademarks
    • You may not use our branding without permission
    • You may not create derivative works of our platform
    • API access is subject to separate terms and limitations

    7. Account Security Requirements

    7.1 Authentication

    You must:

    • Use strong, unique passwords
    • Enable two-factor authentication when available
    • Keep login credentials confidential
    • Log out from shared or public devices
    • Report suspected unauthorized access immediately

    7.2 Account Responsibility

    You are responsible for:

    • All activities under your account
    • Maintaining accurate account information
    • Monitoring account for unauthorized activity
    • Protecting your account from compromise

    8. Communication Standards

    8.1 Professional Conduct

    All platform communications must be:

    • Professional and respectful
    • Truthful and accurate
    • Relevant to rental transactions
    • Free from harassment or discrimination
    • Appropriate for all audiences

    8.2 Prohibited Communications

    You may NOT:

    • Send spam or unsolicited messages
    • Use profanity, threats, or abusive language
    • Share personal contact information inappropriately
    • Attempt to conduct transactions outside the platform
    • Impersonate RentalTide staff or other users

    9. Reporting and Enforcement

    9.1 Violation Reporting

    Report violations to:

    Include:

    • Detailed description of the violation
    • Evidence (screenshots, URLs, documentation)
    • Date and time of incident
    • Your contact information for follow-up

    9.2 Investigation Process

    Upon receiving reports, we will:

    • Investigate all credible allegations promptly
    • Take appropriate interim measures to protect users
    • Gather evidence and interview relevant parties
    • Make determinations based on preponderance of evidence
    • Implement appropriate sanctions or remedies

    9.3 Enforcement Actions

    Violations may result in:

    • Warning: First-time or minor violations
    • Temporary Suspension: Serious or repeated violations
    • Account Termination: Severe or persistent violations
    • Legal Action: Criminal activity or significant harm
    • Law Enforcement Referral: When required by law

    10. Sanctions and Penalties

    10.1 Immediate Termination

    The following violations result in immediate account termination:

    • Any illegal activity
    • Safety violations that create imminent harm
    • Fraud or financial misconduct
    • Harassment or threats against users or staff
    • Attempts to hack or compromise platform security

    10.2 Progressive Discipline

    For other violations, we may implement:

    1. First Violation: Written warning and corrective action plan
    2. Second Violation: 7-day suspension and mandatory training
    3. Third Violation: 30-day suspension and probationary status
    4. Fourth Violation: Account termination

    10.3 Appeal Process

    You may appeal enforcement actions by:

    • Emailing appeals@rentaltide.com within 30 days
    • Providing evidence supporting your position
    • Demonstrating corrective measures taken
    • Agreeing to additional compliance monitoring

    11. Cooperation with Authorities

    11.1 Legal Compliance

    We cooperate fully with:

    • Law enforcement investigations
    • Court orders and subpoenas
    • Regulatory inquiries and audits
    • Tax authority requests
    • Child protection services

    11.2 Information Sharing

    We may share information when:

    • Required by law or legal process
    • Necessary to protect user safety
    • Investigating platform violations
    • Preventing fraud or illegal activity
    • Complying with regulatory obligations

    12. International Considerations

    12.1 Cross-Border Operations

    Users operating internationally must:

    • Comply with all applicable local laws
    • Obtain necessary permits and licenses
    • Follow import/export regulations
    • Respect cultural and legal differences
    • Maintain appropriate insurance coverage

    12.2 Sanctions Compliance

    We prohibit transactions involving:

    • Sanctioned individuals or entities
    • Prohibited countries or regions
    • Restricted industries or activities
    • Blocked or frozen assets

    13. Platform Modifications

    13.1 Service Changes

    RentalTide reserves the right to:

    • Modify platform features and functionality
    • Update security requirements
    • Change API access terms
    • Implement new compliance measures
    • Restrict access to certain features

    13.2 Policy Updates

    This Acceptable Use Policy may be updated to:

    • Reflect changes in law or regulation
    • Address new types of violations
    • Improve platform security and safety
    • Clarify existing requirements

    14. Liability and Disclaimers

    14.1 User Responsibility

    Users are solely responsible for:

    • Compliance with all applicable laws
    • Consequences of policy violations
    • Damages resulting from their actions
    • Legal costs and expenses incurred
    • Third-party claims arising from their conduct

    14.2 Platform Limitations

    RentalTide is not responsible for:

    • Monitoring all user activity in real-time
    • Preventing all policy violations
    • Guaranteeing platform security or availability
    • Verifying accuracy of user information
    • Resolving disputes between users

    14.3 Maximum Liability

    LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: In no event shall RentalTide's total liability to you for all damages, losses, and causes of action exceed CAD $100, regardless of the form of action.

    15. Dispute Resolution

    15.1 Mandatory Arbitration

    All disputes arising from this Acceptable Use Policy shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the ADR Institute of Canada, with proceedings conducted in Ottawa, Ontario.

    15.2 Class Action Waiver

    YOU WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS OR CLASS-WIDE ARBITRATION AGAINST RENTALTIDE.

    15.3 Governing Law

    This policy is governed by the laws of Ontario, Canada, without regard to conflict of law principles.

    16. Contact and Support

    16.1 Policy Questions

    For questions about this Acceptable Use Policy:

    • Email: legal@rentaltide.com
    • Phone: 888-709-2650
    • Mail: Legal Department, RentalTide Inc., 110 Didsbury Road, Ottawa, Ontario K2J 4T4, Canada and 1111B S Governors Ave STE 48363, Dover, DE 19904, United States

    16.2 Violation Reporting

    To report policy violations:

    • Email: abuse@rentaltide.com
    • Emergency Line: 888-709-2650
    • Online Form: Available in your account dashboard

    16.3 Business Hours

    Support available:

    • Phone Support: Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 6 PM ET
    • Email Support: 24/7 (response within 24 hours)
    • Emergency Response: 24/7 for safety issues

    Last Updated: November 14, 2025
    Effective Date: February 1, 2025
    Version: 1.0

    Important: This Acceptable Use Policy is incorporated by reference into our Terms of Service and all other agreements. Violation of this policy constitutes a material breach of your agreement with RentalTide.