Terms of service

01Introduction

These terms ("Terms") apply when you access the Housing Direct platform at housingdirect.co.uk (the "Platform"). They form a binding contract between you (and the organisation you represent — "you") and Housing Direct Ltd (company no. 14782301) ("we", "us", "Housing Direct").

If you don't agree to these Terms, don't use the Platform. If your council or letting business has a separate written agreement with us, that agreement takes precedence over anything inconsistent here.

02Accounts & eligibility

2.1 Who can sign up

You must be at least 18, authorised to act on behalf of your organisation, and based in the United Kingdom. The Platform is not intended for consumers — it's for housing teams at local authorities, registered landlords, and letting agents.

2.2 Verification

Landlords must complete the verification flow before listings go live. Councils onboard through their account manager. We may refuse or revoke verification if a document is incomplete, inconsistent, or our checks raise reasonable concerns. We don't have to give a reason and our decision is final.

2.3 Account security

Keep your password and any team API tokens secret. You're responsible for everything that happens under your account. Tell us straight away if you think your credentials have been compromised — email security@housingdirect.co.uk.

03Using the platform

Use the Platform only for its intended purpose — connecting councils and landlords for genuine residential placements. You agree not to:

• Post inaccurate or misleading information about a property, household, or yourself.
• Discriminate against any household on the basis of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. "No DSS / no UC" wording is forbidden in listings.
• Copy listings, scrape data, or reverse-engineer the Platform.
• Interfere with the Platform's security, attempt to access another user's account, or test our infrastructure without prior written permission.
• Use the Platform to send unsolicited marketing to other users.
• Upload anything that infringes a third party's rights, including photographs of a property you don't control.

04Landlord listings

By publishing a listing, you confirm that:

• You're legally entitled to let the property and have all required licences (HMO, selective licensing) in place;
• Compliance documents (gas safety, EICR, EPC) are current and uploaded honestly — we may verify with the issuing body;
• Photos accurately represent the property as currently let, taken within the last 12 months;
• Accessibility claims (wheelchair access, step-free, adaptations) are correct and you can evidence them on request.

We can remove a listing at any time if it breaches these Terms, the law, or the standards in our listing guidelines. Removed listings don't generate fees.

05Bookings & placements

5.1 The booking flow

Councils send booking requests to landlords through the Platform. Negotiation happens in the in-app messaging. A booking becomes a confirmed placement when the landlord clicks "Confirm placement" and the council countersigns the tenancy through the Platform.

5.2 Tenancy is between landlord and tenant

The legal tenancy contract is between the landlord and the household. Housing Direct is not a party to the tenancy, doesn't hold deposits, and doesn't manage the let. The council's rent-guarantee arrangement (where one exists) is between the council and the landlord — we display its terms but don't underwrite it.

5.3 Cancellation

Either side can cancel a request before placement is confirmed without penalty. Once confirmed, cancellation is governed by the tenancy itself and applicable housing law — not by us.

06Fees & payment

The Platform is free to browse and list. We charge landlords a one-off £99 placement fee per confirmed placement, invoiced on the first of the following month. Councils pay no per-placement fee — they pay a flat annual licence under separate agreement.

Payment is by Direct Debit or BACS, due 30 days from invoice date. Late payment may accrue interest at 4% above the Bank of England base rate per annum under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. All fees are exclusive of VAT.

We can change pricing on 60 days' notice. Pricing in force at the time a placement is confirmed is the pricing that applies to that placement.

07Liability

We provide the Platform on a "reasonable skill and care" basis. We don't warrant that it will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that listings and households will be a perfect match.

Nothing in these Terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or anything else that cannot be excluded by law.

Subject to that, our total liability to you under or in connection with these Terms in any 12-month period is capped at the greater of £5,000 or the total fees you paid us in that period. We're not liable for indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of business, or loss of anticipated savings.

08Suspension & termination

You can close your account at any time from Settings → Account or by emailing hello@housingdirect.co.uk.

We can suspend or terminate your account with reasonable notice, or immediately if:

• You materially breach these Terms and (where the breach is fixable) don't fix it within 14 days of us asking;
• Your verification status lapses or your documents expire and you don't replace them;
• You become insolvent, enter administration, or have a winding-up petition presented against you;
• We're required to by law.

Active placements continue under the underlying tenancy regardless of account status.

09Changes

We can change these Terms. Material changes are posted here and emailed to account admins at least 30 days before they take effect, except urgent changes required by law or for security. Continuing to use the Platform after changes take effect means you accept them.

10Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute, except that we can bring proceedings against you in any jurisdiction where you are based.

If any part of these Terms is found unenforceable, the rest stays in force. Our failure to enforce a right doesn't waive it.

Any questions? Email legal@housingdirect.co.uk.