Terms of Service

Last updated: May 21, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Vacnt ("the Platform," "we," "us," or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing the Platform. These terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the Service.

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or in-app notification. Continued use of the Platform after any such changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

2. Description of Service

Vacnt is a peer-to-peer marketplace that connects outgoing tenants ("Listers") in the San Francisco Bay Area with prospective incoming tenants ("Claimers"). Listers post information about their soon-to-be-vacant rental units. Claimers browse listings and pay a finder's fee to be connected with the Lister and introduced to the available unit.

Vacnt is not a licensed real estate broker, property manager, or landlord. We do not own, lease, or control any of the properties listed on the Platform. We do not negotiate, execute, or guarantee any lease agreement. Our role is limited to facilitating introductions and processing finder's fee payments between tenants.

3. Finder's Fee Mechanics

3.1 Fee Amount

The standard finder's fee on Vacnt is 45% of one month's listed rent. This fee is set by the Platform and is non-negotiable on the standard tier. Listers may not charge additional amounts above this fee through the Platform.

3.2 Fee Distribution

Of the finder's fee collected:

  • 85% is paid out to the Lister upon successful move-in confirmation and expiration of the dispute window.
  • 15% is retained by Vacnt as a platform service fee.

Example: If monthly rent is $3,500, the finder's fee is $1,575. The Lister receives $1,338.75 and Vacnt retains $236.25.

3.3 Payment Processing

All payments are processed via Stripe. Claimers must provide valid payment information. Funds are held in escrow until the dispute window expires. Listers must connect a Stripe account to receive payouts. Payouts are subject to Stripe's standard processing times (typically 1–2 business days after release).

4. Escrow and Fund Release

When a Claimer pays the finder's fee, funds are held in escrow by Vacnt's payment processor. Funds are not released to the Lister until:

  1. Both the Lister and Claimer confirm move-out and move-in in the app.
  2. The 7-day dispute window expires without an active dispute.

If a dispute is filed within the 7-day window, funds remain in escrow until the dispute is resolved by our admin team. Vacnt reserves the right to extend the escrow period if a dispute investigation requires additional time.

5. Disputes and Resolution

Either party may file a dispute within 7 days of the confirmed move-in date. Disputes must be submitted through the in-app dispute tool with supporting documentation. Vacnt's admin team will review disputes and may request evidence from both parties. Resolution options include full release to the Lister, full refund to the Claimer, or a negotiated split at Vacnt's discretion. Vacnt's decision is final. See our How Disputes Work page for full details.

6. User Accounts and Verification

Users must create an account to list or claim a unit. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to update it as necessary. Identity verification (Vacnt Passport) is required to list a unit and may be required to claim one. We use third-party verification services; by completing verification you consent to those services' terms. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

7. Lister Obligations

Listers represent and warrant that: (a) they are the current tenant of the listed unit; (b) the information in the listing is accurate, including rent amount, square footage, lease expiration, and rent control status; (c) they have read their lease and have not been prohibited from receiving finder's fees; (d) they will cooperate in good faith with any potential Claimer and their landlord; (e) they will promptly confirm move-out in the app.

8. Prohibited Uses

You may not use the Platform to:

  • List a unit you do not currently occupy or have the right to list.
  • Post false, misleading, or fraudulent listing information.
  • Discriminate against Claimers based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, or source of income in violation of the Fair Housing Act or California law.
  • Solicit payments outside the Platform to circumvent escrow.
  • Create multiple accounts to abuse the referral or rating system.
  • Use automated bots or scrapers without written permission.
  • Interfere with or disrupt the Platform's infrastructure.

9. Disclaimers

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. VACNT DOES NOT WARRANT THAT ANY UNIT LISTED WILL BE AVAILABLE, THAT THE LANDLORD WILL APPROVE AN INCOMING TENANT, OR THAT A LEASE WILL BE EXECUTED. VACNT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDITION OF ANY UNIT, ANY LANDLORD ACTIONS, OR ANY DISPUTES BETWEEN TENANTS AND LANDLORDS. YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

10. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, VACNT'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE PLATFORM SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO VACNT IN THE 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) $100. IN NO EVENT SHALL VACNT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

11. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflict-of-law provisions. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in San Francisco County, California.

12. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Email us at legal@vacnt.com or write to: Vacnt, Inc., San Francisco, CA.