These Terms and Conditions apply to your application for Homeshare Scotland Services. Please read them carefully. By submitting your application, you agree to these Terms.
1. Definitions
Homeowner: An individual introduced by Homeshare Scotland willing to offer accommodation in exchange for an agreed level of domestic help (e.g. light cooking, cleaning, shopping) and companionship. This term includes any legally appointed representative, if applicable.
Companion: An individual willing to provide domestic help and companionship in exchange for accommodation and family life participation with the Homeowner.
Property: The residence of the Homeowner that is shared with the Companion.
Homeshare: The arrangement between the Homeowner and the Companion.
2. General Terms of the Homeshare Arrangement
The Companion will not pay fees to the Homeowner for accommodation, except for a small contribution towards increased utility and council tax costs if applicable. The Homeowner will not pay fees for help provided by the Companion. The arrangement is mutually beneficial and voluntary.
If the Homeowner has a delegated power of attorney, proof of such power must be provided to Homeshare Scotland.
3. Duties and Responsibilities
The Companion is not required to provide professional care services.
The Homeowner must ensure the safety and suitability of the Property and maintain adequate insurance with a reputable insurance provider during the Homeshare period.
The Homeowner must ensure regular inspection of the gas boiler by a Gas Safe registered engineer and verify the safety of fixed electrical installations and appliances. Building and contents insurance is the responsibility of the Homeowner.
4. Cancellation and Refund Policy
If the Homeowner cancels after engaging the Companion but before they move in, the Homeowner must pay one monthly fee to Homeshare Scotland. The first monthly fee is non-refundable, regardless of the cancellation date.
5. Fees
5.1 Homeshare Scotland offers services at the lowest feasible cost. A monthly fee of £120 is charged to the Homeowner, payable by standing order or direct debit, or in advance for 3, 6, or 12 months by bank transfer or cheque. The monthly fee will be stated in the cover letter and Terms of Service Agreement sent to the Homeowner following registration, and is payable from the Commencement Date of the Homeshare Terms of Service Agreement (i.e. the Move-In Date of the Companion).
5.2 Homeshare Scotland charges each Homeowner a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of £60, due upon acceptance of the application.
5.3 Late payments may incur interest at a rate of 1.5% over the Bank of England Base Rate per month, compounded monthly on unpaid invoices.
6. Suitability of Companion
Homeshare Scotland will interview and fully vet Companion candidates; however, the Homeowner is ultimately responsible for ensuring the Companion meets their requirements.
While Homeshare Scotland gathers as much information as possible about each Companion, it does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and makes no representations or warranties regarding the Companion’s capability, medical condition, character, or suitability.
7. Confidentiality
Information shared between the Homeowner and Homeshare Scotland that is marked as confidential or understood to be confidential will be treated as such by both parties.
8. Data Protection
Homeshare Scotland processes personal information per applicable data protection laws, including the EU GDPR. For more information, refer to the Privacy Policy on data management.
9. Support and Liability
Homeshare Scotland provides ongoing support via phone and email but is not obligated to perform home visits to assess or monitor the Homeshare.
Homeshare Scotland and its staff assume no responsibility or liability for damages, claims, or costs arising from or related to the Homeshare.
10. Non-Circumvention
10.1 To maintain Homeshare Scotland’s services, the Homeowner and Companion must refrain from circumventing the fees or services provided by Homeshare Scotland during the Homeshare. The Homeowner may not propose or accept any direct arrangement with the Companion without Homeshare Scotland’s written consent.
10.2 Any breach of clause 10.1 by the Homeowner causes irreparable harm to Homeshare Scotland. In such cases, the Homeowner agrees to pay damages equivalent to 3–12 months’ fees under this Agreement.
10.3 During the Homeshare and for at least three (3) years post-termination, the Homeowner must not enter into any private arrangement with any party (Homeowner or Companion) introduced by Homeshare Scotland or Support&Match CIC.
11. Changes to Terms and Conditions, Right to Amend
Homeshare Scotland reserves the right to change, update, or revise these Terms and Conditions at any time, at its sole discretion, and without prior notice. Any such amendments will be effective immediately upon being posted to the Homeshare Scotland website or communicated through other appropriate means. It is the responsibility of the Homeowner and Companion to review these Terms and Conditions periodically to remain informed of any changes. Continued participation in the Homeshare program constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms and Conditions.
12. Companion’s Leave of Absence
The Companion may take up to two weeks’ holiday at a time, totalling a maximum of four weeks per year, with at least four weeks’ notice provided to both the Homeowner and Homeshare Scotland.
In the event of a leave of absence due to illness or personal reasons, the Companion must immediately inform the Homeowner and Homeshare Scotland. A medical certificate is required for absences longer than two weeks. If the absence extends beyond four weeks, the Companion may need to vacate the Property to allow a replacement.
13. Homeowner’s Absence
If the Homeowner is hospitalized or on holiday, the Companion will remain in the Property to care for it as agreed.
In cases of long-term illness, transfer to a care home, or the death of the Homeowner, the Companion will be given a one-month notice to vacate the Property, during which time they will act as a house sitter. This does not apply if the Homeowner requests in writing that the Companion remain longer than one month.
14. Homeshare Scotland Coordination
The Homeshare Scotland Coordinator will outline the agreed tasks and timings for the Companion and update them as needed.
These Terms and Conditions govern your application for Homeshare Scotland and Support&Match CIC Services (Homeshare Scotland Group). Please review them carefully. By submitting your application, you agree to these Terms.
1. Definitions
Homeowner: An individual introduced by Homeshare Scotland who offers accommodation in exchange for an agreed level of domestic help (e.g., light cooking, cleaning, shopping) and companionship. This includes any legally appointed representative if applicable.
Companion: An individual willing to provide domestic help and companionship in exchange for accommodation and participation in the family life of the Homeowner.
Property: The residence of the Homeowner that is shared with the Companion.
Homeshare: The arrangement between the Homeowner and the Companion.
2. General Terms of the Homeshare Arrangement
The Companion will not pay any accommodation fees, and the Homeowner will not pay for any help provided. The arrangement is mutually beneficial and entirely voluntary.
The Companion agrees to pay a monthly monitoring and advice fee to Homeshare Scotland as a contribution to service costs. This fee must be paid on time for the duration of the Homeshare until the Companion vacates the Property.
Late payments may result in additional recovery costs charged by Homeshare Scotland.
3. Duties and Responsibilities
The Companion is not required to provide professional care.
The Companion is responsible for personal food and expenses and may contribute up to £60 per month for increased utility and council tax costs due to their presence. If placed in self-contained accommodation, the Companion is fully responsible for utility bills and council tax for that unit.
4. Cancellation and Refund Policy
If the Companion cancels after engaging the Homeowner but before moving in, one monthly fee is payable to cover Homeshare Scotland’s administration work.
The first monthly fee is non-refundable, regardless of cancellation date.
5. Fees
5.1 Homeshare Scotland provides its services at the lowest feasible cost. A monthly fee of £190 (£360 per couple) is charged to the Companion. This is payable monthly via standing order or direct debit, or in advance for 3, 6, or 12 months by bank transfer or cheque. The current monthly fee will be stated in the cover letter. Fees are payable from the Homeshare Joint Agreement’s Commencement Date (i.e. Move-In Date).
5.2 A one-time, non-refundable registration fee of £60 is charged to each Companion.
5.3 Late payments may incur interest at a rate of 1.5% over the Bank of England Base Rate per month, compounded monthly on unpaid invoices.
6. Homeowner and Property Suitability
Homeshare Scotland will conduct interviews with potential Homeowners. However, it remains the Companion’s responsibility to ensure that the Homeowner and Property meet their personal requirements.
While Homeshare Scotland will gather as much information as possible about potential Homeowners, it does not guarantee accuracy or completeness.
7. Confidentiality
Information shared between the Companion and Homeshare Scotland that is marked as confidential or understood as confidential will be treated as such by both parties.
8. Data Protection
Homeshare Scotland processes personal information per applicable data protection laws, including the EU GDPR. Please review the Privacy Policy for details on personal data management.
9. Support and Liability
Homeshare Scotland provides ongoing support via phone and email but is not obligated to perform face-to-face meetings to monitor the Homeshare.
Homeshare Scotland and its staff assume no responsibility for damages, claims, or costs arising from the Homeshare.
10. Non-Circumvention
10.1 To maintain Homeshare Scotland’s services, the Companion and Homeowner must refrain from circumventing the fees or services provided by Homeshare Scotland at any time during the Homeshare. It is strictly prohibited for the Companion to propose or accept any direct arrangement with the Homeowner without Homeshare Scotland’s written consent.
10.2 Any breach of clause 10.1 causes irreparable harm to Homeshare Scotland. In such cases, the Companion agrees to pay damages equivalent to 3–12 months’ fees under this Agreement.
10.3 During the Homeshare and for at least three (3) years post-termination, the Companion must not enter into any private arrangement with any party (Homeowner or Companion) introduced by Homeshare Scotland or Support&Match CIC.
11. Changes to Terms and Conditions
Homeshare Scotland reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time.
12. Leave of Absence
The Companion may take up to two weeks’ holiday at a time, totalling a maximum of four weeks per year, with at least four weeks’ notice provided to both the Homeowner and Homeshare Scotland.
If a leave of absence is necessary due to illness or personal reasons, the Companion must inform both the Homeowner and Homeshare Scotland immediately. A medical certificate is required for absences longer than two weeks. If the absence extends beyond four weeks, the Companion may need to vacate the Property to allow a replacement.
13. Absence of Homeowner
In cases where the Homeowner is hospitalized or on holiday, the Companion will remain in the Property to care for it as agreed.
14. Homeshare Scotland Coordination
The Homeshare Scotland Coordinator will outline the agreed tasks and timings and update them as necessary.