Terms of Service

By accessing or using the HostelNama website (https://hostelnama.com), mobile interface, or any related service (collectively, the "Platform"), you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms") and our Privacy Policy.

In accordance with the Electronic Transactions Ordinance, 2002 (ETO), by browsing this site, checking a box, or creating an account, you legally execute a binding contract with us.

Eligibility: Under the Contract Act, 1872, by using this platform, you affirm that you are at least 18 years of age or possess legal parental/guardian consent to enter into accommodation agreements.

If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must immediately discontinue use of the Platform. These Terms apply to all visitors, students, hostel owners, managers, and any other users of the Platform.

HostelNama is an independent information directory, not a rental agency, broker, or party to any agreement between students and hostel owners.

We provide a platform that displays hostel listing information collected by HostelNama or submitted to us by hostel owners and managers. We do not:

• Enter into rental agreements on behalf of any party.
• Collect, hold, or transfer any rent, deposit, or fee on behalf of any user.
• Guarantee the availability, quality, price, or condition of any listed hostel.
• Act as a landlord, agent, or representative of any hostel owner or manager.
• Provide housing, accommodation, or related services directly.

Any transaction, agreement, or arrangement entered into between a student and a hostel owner/manager is solely between those parties. HostelNama is not a party to such arrangements and accepts no responsibility for them.

Browsing HostelNama is free and requires no account. You can search hostels, view listings, photos, prices, amenities, and locations without signing up.

A free student account is required only when you want to contact a hostel host (reveal their WhatsApp or phone number) or report a listing. An account also lets you keep your saved favourites across devices. Creating an account is free and always will be for students.

You can register with your Google account or with your name, email address, and a password (your email is verified with a one-time code). By creating an account, you agree that:

• The information you provide (name, email) is accurate and belongs to you.
• You will keep your login credentials confidential and are responsible for all activity under your account.
• You will maintain only one account and will not create accounts by automated means.
• You will use host contact details only to make genuine accommodation enquiries — not for marketing, spam, scraping, or bulk collection of phone numbers.

HostelNama may suspend or terminate an account, without prior notice, for conduct that violates these Terms — including misuse of host contact details, submitting false reports, or attempts to systematically extract data from the Platform.

All listing information on the Platform — including but not limited to hostel name, address, photographs, rent, amenities, and contact details — is provided "as is" and "as available", without any warranty of accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose.

Listing information may be:

• Outdated — rents, availability, and amenities change frequently.
• Inaccurate — data may have been submitted in error by a hostel representative.
• Incomplete — not all features of a hostel may be listed.
• Misleading — photographs may not reflect the current condition of a property.

Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware): Under the Punjab Consumer Protection Act, 2005 (PCPA), HostelNama does not guarantee the quality, safety, or rent accuracy of any hostel. You are strongly advised to personally visit any hostel and independently verify all details — including rent, deposit amount, amenities, rules, and contract terms — before making any payment or commitment.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, HostelNama and its owners, operators, employees, and contributors shall not be liable for:

• Any financial loss, overpayment, or fraudulent transaction between a student and a hostel owner.
• Any personal injury, theft, harassment, or harm experienced at a listed hostel.
• Any dispute arising from a rental agreement, deposit, or hostel stay.
• Any inaccurate, misleading, or fraudulent information posted by a hostel owner or manager.
• Loss of data, service interruptions, or errors on the Platform.
• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages of any kind.

In jurisdictions where limitation of liability is restricted, our liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Under Section 38 (Intermediary Liability) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA), HostelNama acts strictly as an intermediary and a "pipeline". We are granted "Safe Harbor" protection and are not legally responsible for user-generated content (including hostel photos, descriptions, fake listings) or any physical interactions between students and hostel owners.

Notice and Takedown Procedure: If you encounter fraudulent accounts, stolen photos, or scam listings, please report them to us immediately at support.hostelnama@gmail.com. HostelNama will cooperate fully with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime Wing if required.

By using the Platform, you agree not to:

• Submit false, misleading, or defamatory reports about any hostel.
• Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose.
• Attempt to scrape, harvest, or systematically extract data from the Platform.
• Impersonate any person or entity.
• Interfere with the security or operation of the Platform.
• Use contact information obtained from the Platform to spam hostel owners.

Hostel owners and managers who submit listing information on the Platform, or whose hostels are listed on it, agree that:

• All submitted information is accurate, current, and not misleading.
• Photographs represent the actual current condition of the hostel and rooms.
• Quoted prices are the actual prices charged to students.
• They have the authority to list the property.
• They will not engage in fraudulent, deceptive, or illegal conduct with students who contact them through the Platform.

HostelNama reserves the right to remove any listing at any time, without prior notice, for any reason, including but not limited to credible reports of fraud, inaccuracy, misconduct, or conduct harmful to students. Removal of a listing does not imply admission of wrongdoing by HostelNama.

HostelNama is not responsible for any misrepresentation, fraud, or misconduct by hostel owners or managers. Any such conduct is solely the responsibility of the individual owner or manager.

Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Act, 2015: Compliance with this act is solely the responsibility of the hostel owner and the tenant. HostelNama does not verify or take responsibility for police registration of properties or individuals. Landlords, hostel owners, or managers must register the information of temporary residents with the local police station within 15 days of occupancy.

The information on the Platform is collected by HostelNama or submitted to us by hostel representatives. Where our team has visited a hostel, any facilities or features shown were present in some form at the time of that visit.

A site visit, where conducted, does not mean:

• The hostel currently meets any particular quality, safety, or hygiene standard.
• The listed prices, rooms, amenities, or conditions are currently accurate or available.
• The hostel is endorsed, recommended, or guaranteed by HostelNama.
• The hostel owner, warden, manager, or staff has been background-checked or vetted, or is of any particular character or trustworthiness.

Any information gathered during a visit reflects a single point in time and may now be outdated. You must personally visit the hostel and independently verify all details — including rent, deposit, room, amenities, rules, and contract terms — before making any payment or commitment.

Hostel owners may opt to pay for a "Featured" listing status to increase their visibility on the Platform. By purchasing a featured placement, you acknowledge that:

• Purchasing a featured placement provides increased visibility only.
• Getting featured does not automatically guarantee leads, bookings, or customers.
• HostelNama is not responsible for the volume or quality of inquiries received during the featured period.
• Featured fees are non-refundable once the placement is active.

Under the Punjab Consumer Protection Act, 2005 (PCPA), paid "Featured Listings" do not guarantee business results, and fees are non-refundable once an ad goes live.

HostelNama reserves the right to cancel or revoke a Featured placement at any time, without prior notice and without refund, if we receive credible reports of fraud, misconduct, misrepresentation, or any conduct that we deem harmful to students or inconsistent with the integrity of the Platform. The determination of what constitutes a "credible report" rests solely with HostelNama.

In compliance with the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA) and emerging Personal Data Protection laws, we are committed to protecting your personal information.

Our Privacy Policy outlines exactly what data we collect (such as WhatsApp numbers, names, locations), why we collect it, how it is used, and who it is shared with. By using our Platform, you agree to our data collection and processing practices as detailed in the Privacy Policy.

The Platform may contain links to third-party services, including WhatsApp, Google Maps, and external websites. These links are provided for convenience only.

HostelNama has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party services. Use of third-party services is at your own risk and subject to their respective terms.

The HostelNama name, logo, design, and original content on the Platform are the intellectual property of HostelNama and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used without prior written permission.

Hostel photographs and descriptions submitted to the Platform remain the property of the respective owners. By submitting content, you grant HostelNama a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display that content on the Platform.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless HostelNama and its operators from and against any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of:

• Your use of the Platform.
• Your violation of these Terms.
• Any dispute between you and another user (student, hostel owner, or manager).
• Any false or misleading information you submit to the Platform.

HostelNama reserves the right to suspend or terminate access to the Platform for any user who violates these Terms, without prior notice and without liability.

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Punjab and the Federal Laws of Pakistan. Any legal dispute, claim, or proceeding arising out of or relating to HostelNama shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts located in Lahore, Pakistan.

We may update these Terms at any time. The effective date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent revision. Continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

For material changes, we will make reasonable efforts to notify users, but it is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically.

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us at: support.hostelnama@gmail.com