Terms of Service
These Terms of Service govern your access to and use of Hostel Cloud (https://hostelcloud.app), operated by Staurax. Please review these contractual provisions carefully before using the service.
1. Nature of Service & Legal Classification
Hostel Cloud provides technological software tools consisting of:
- Accommodation Discovery Directory: A searchable web directory for students and residents to browse hostel listings, contact managers, and submit inquiries.
- Hostel Management SaaS: Cloud software tools enabling independent property managers and wardens to manage room allocations, resident rosters, and dues ledgers.
Explicit Legal Boundaries:
Hostel Cloud is not an accommodation provider, landlord, real estate broker, insurance agent, law enforcement authority, or banking institution. Hostel Cloud does not own, lease, supervise, or physically control any listed property. Contracts for lodging, physical room quality, safety conditions, deposits, and tenancy rights exist exclusively between the resident and the respective hostel owner.
2. Electronic Transactions & Contract Formation (Pakistan)
In accordance with the Electronic Transactions Ordinance, 2002 (ETO 2002 - Ordinance LI of 2002):
- Electronic communications, account registrations, and electronic records exchanged through the platform receive legal recognition under Sections 3 to 8 of the ETO 2002.
- The enforceability of electronic transactions remains subject to the general principles of the Contract Act, 1872, legal age/capacity, and the absence of coercion, misrepresentation, or fraud.
- Registering an account or clicking to confirm an action constitutes prima facie evidence of assent, provided that material terms were made accessible prior to confirmation.
3. Separate Obligations for Students and Hostel Owners
Student & Resident Obligations
- Provide accurate personal identity information (valid CNIC/Form-B numbers).
- Comply with individual hostel tenancy agreements, safety rules, and curfew policies.
- Pay monthly dues and security deposits directly to hostel management per your tenancy contract.
- Never upload forged academic cards or impersonate another student.
Hostel Owner & Admin Obligations
- Ensure accurate listing details (pricing, capacity, room categories, facilities).
- Comply fully with the standalone Hostel Owner Agreement.
- Safeguard resident CNIC records and respect statutory confidentiality.
- Fulfill all statutory police and local administration registration obligations independently.
4. Listings, Inquiries, Payments & SaaS Subscriptions
- Booking Inquiries: Inquiries submitted through Hostel Cloud connect you directly with hostel management. Acceptance or rejection of a reservation is determined by the hostel operator.
- Hostel Dues & Deposits: Room rents, monthly mess fees, and security deposits are collected directly by the hostel management unless explicitly paid via an authorized digital checkout. Hostel Cloud is not responsible for rental disputes, deposit returns, or property deductions.
- SaaS Subscriptions: Hostel owners subscribing to paid software tiers agree to recurring fees specified during checkout. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled prior to the renewal date.
- Refunds: SaaS subscription charges are non-refundable once the billing period has commenced, subject to applicable statutory consumer protections and written contractual terms.
5. Intellectual Property & User Content
- Platform IP: The software, codebase, visual layout, logos, algorithms, and trademarks of Hostel Cloud are the proprietary intellectual property of Staurax.
- User Content License: By uploading hostel photos, descriptions, or reviews, you grant Hostel Cloud a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, display, and format that content for platform discovery. You warrant that you own or have obtained all necessary licenses for materials you upload.
- Resident Identity Records: Scanned CNICs and student cards uploaded for administrative rosters are not public content and are handled strictly in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
6. Service Provider Liability & Safe-Harbor Conditions (PECA 2016)
In accordance with Section 38 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA):
- Hostel Cloud operates as an electronic intermediary and software provider.
- Exemption from liability under Section 38 is conditional upon: (a) absence of actual knowledge or unlawful intent, (b) not initiating or modifying transmitted content, and (c) expeditiously removing or disabling access to unlawful content upon receiving formal statutory notice.
- Hostel Cloud does not claim unconditional or absolute safe-harbor immunity. Platform operators will cooperate with lawful takedown notices and investigation procedures under Pakistani law.
- Users who upload forged, defamatory, or unlawful identity records under Section 16 of PECA bear direct civil and criminal responsibility.
7. Disclaimers & Limitations of Liability
"As Is" Service: The platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. While we strive for high uptime, we do not guarantee uninterrupted, error-free operation or that every listed hostel meets individual subjective expectations.
Physical Premises Disclaimer: Staurax and Hostel Cloud bear no responsibility or liability for bodily injury, theft, hygiene conditions, building code failures, utility outages, harassment, or tenancy disputes occurring on physical hostel premises.
Liability Limitation: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Pakistani law, in no event shall Staurax, its directors, or personnel be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages. Total cumulative liability arising out of platform software use shall not exceed the amount actually paid by you to Hostel Cloud during the three (3) months preceding the incident.
8. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In the event of a dispute, parties agree to first seek resolution through informal consultation. If unresolved within 30 days, disputes shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts in Islamabad, Pakistan.