Host Service Agreement
Version 1.0 - Terms & Conditions for Independent Sauna Hosts
Governing Law: Province of British Columbia, Canada
1. Parties & Definitions
This Host Service Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into between SaunaScout Inc. (or its operating entity, "SaunaScout") and you, the individual or business entity registering as a host on the SaunaScout platform ("Host" or "you"). Key definitions: "Platform" means the SaunaScout website and related technology services. "Listing" means your sauna facility and all associated content submitted to the Platform. "Session" means any sauna experience booked through the Platform. "Guest" means any individual who books a Session. "Payout" means the full listing price transferred to you following a completed Booking. "Service Fee" means the 15% fee charged to Guests on top of your listed session price, collected by SaunaScout. "Content" means any text, photos, videos, or other material you submit to the Platform.
2. Nature of the Relationship
2.1 Independent Contractor
YOU ARE AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR, NOT AN EMPLOYEE, AGENT, PARTNER, OR FRANCHISEE OF SAUNASCOUT. This Agreement does not create an employment relationship, partnership, joint venture, or agency between you and SaunaScout. You have no authority to bind SaunaScout to any obligation. SaunaScout has no authority to control the manner or means by which you provide sauna services to Guests.
2.2 Marketplace Intermediary
SaunaScout operates as an online marketplace that facilitates connections between Hosts and Guests. SaunaScout does not own, operate, or manage any sauna facility listed on the Platform. SaunaScout is not a party to the contract between you and any Guest for the provision of sauna services. SaunaScout does not guarantee any minimum number of Bookings or income.
2.3 Tax Obligations
As an independent contractor, you are solely responsible for all income taxes, GST/HST, PST, and any other taxes applicable to income earned through the Platform. SaunaScout will issue required tax documentation as required by Canadian law and may report your earnings to the Canada Revenue Agency under applicable federal platform reporting regulations.
3. Host Eligibility & Onboarding
To list a sauna on the Platform, you must be at least 18 years of age, have the legal right to list and grant access to the sauna facility, possess all required local business licenses and permits, provide valid bank account details for receiving Payouts, and agree to all terms of this Agreement.
4. Listing Standards & Host Obligations
4.1 Facility Safety Standards
You are solely responsible for ensuring your sauna facility meets all applicable health, safety, and building code requirements. At minimum you must:
- Maintain your sauna in safe working condition, free from hazards
- Ensure adequate ventilation and temperature control
- Provide clean, hygienic facilities and maintain regular cleaning protocols between sessions
- Have a working fire extinguisher accessible near the sauna
- Post safety guidelines and contraindications visibly at the facility
- Ensure emergency access is available and that Guests can exit safely at all times
- For mobile saunas: ensure the vehicle and trailer meet all provincial transportation safety standards
4.2 Legal Compliance
You are solely responsible for compliance with all applicable laws including zoning bylaws, business licensing, health and safety regulations applicable to personal service establishments (BC Health Act), and fire safety codes.
5. Bookings, Payments & Service Fees
5.1 Service Fee Structure
SaunaScout charges Guests a 15% Service Fee on top of your listed session price (excluding taxes). Hosts pay 0% commission and receive 100% of their listed session price as Payout. SaunaScout reserves the right to modify the Service Fee rate with 30 days' written notice.
5.2 Payout Processing
Payouts are processed through our third-party payment provider to the bank account you provide within 5 business days following the completion of a Session. SaunaScout is not responsible for delays caused by the payment provider, banking systems, or incorrect bank account information provided by you.
5.3 Off-Platform Transactions Prohibited
You agree not to circumvent the Platform by soliciting or accepting direct payments from Guests you first contacted through SaunaScout, outside of the Platform. Circumventing the Platform is a material breach of this Agreement and may result in immediate account termination.
5.4 Booking Modes
For each Listing, you may choose one of two booking modes. Instant Book: Guests confirm Sessions immediately. The Guest's card is charged at the time of booking and the Booking is confirmed without further action from you. Request to Book: Guests submit a request and you have 24 hours to approve or decline. The Guest's card is authorized (held) but not charged until you approve. If you decline or do not respond within 24 hours, the request expires and the hold is automatically released. Declining or allowing a request to expire is not considered a cancellation under Section 7 and does not result in account penalties. Social Sauna listings are configured for Instant Book and may not use Request to Book mode.
6. Platform Safety Guidelines
AS A CONDITION OF LISTING ON THE SAUNASCOUT PLATFORM, YOU AGREE TO FOLLOW SaunaScout platform safety guidelines and to operate your facility in compliance with applicable health, safety, and licensing requirements for commercial activity at your sauna facility.
7. Cancellation Policy
This section applies to confirmed Bookings only. Declining or letting a Request to Book request expire (as described in Section 5.4) is not a cancellation under this section. You should not cancel a confirmed Booking except in extraordinary circumstances. Guests receive a full refund for Host-initiated cancellations of confirmed Bookings. Excessive cancellations may result in account suspension. For Guest cancellations of confirmed Bookings, the standard policy provides a full refund for cancellations made more than 48 hours before the Session. For Guest cancellations within 48 hours of the scheduled Session, the Booking is non-refundable and the Host receives the full Payout.
8. Host Indemnification of SaunaScout
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU AGREE TO RELEASE, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS SaunaScout and its directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from: any injury, death, or property damage suffered by a Guest at your facility caused by your acts or omissions; your breach of this Agreement; your failure to comply with applicable laws or platform safety guidelines; any misrepresentation in your Listing; or any tax liability arising from your failure to remit applicable taxes.
9. Intellectual Property
By submitting Content to the Platform (including photos and descriptions), you grant SaunaScout a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, modify, distribute, and display such Content for operating and marketing the SaunaScout Platform. You represent and warrant that you own or have the right to license all Content you submit.
10. Privacy & Data
You must handle Guest personal information in accordance with BC's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). You may only use Guest information for the purpose of facilitating their Session and must not use it for marketing or any other purpose.
11. Prohibited Conduct
- Discriminate against Guests on the basis of any protected characteristic under applicable human rights legislation
- Engage in fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading conduct toward Guests or SaunaScout
- Circumvent SaunaScout's payment system or solicit off-platform payments
- Operate a sauna facility that does not meet applicable health and safety standards
- Allow a Session to proceed when you have reason to believe it would be unsafe for the Guest
- Use Guest personal information for unauthorized purposes
- Attempt to manipulate the Platform's search rankings or reviews
12. Term, Suspension & Termination
This Agreement begins when you create a Host account and continues until terminated by either party. You may terminate by deactivating your account. SaunaScout may suspend or terminate your account for material breach, failure to follow platform safety guidelines, fraud, or conduct posing a safety risk to Guests. Where possible, SaunaScout will provide 30 days' notice before termination for non-urgent matters; immediate suspension may occur for safety or fraud concerns.
13. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada. Before initiating any formal legal proceedings, you agree to contact SaunaScout at [email protected] to attempt informal resolution. Any dispute not resolved informally shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of British Columbia.
14. Electronic Acceptance
Your electronic acceptance of this Agreement (by creating an account, submitting a Listing, or accepting a Booking) constitutes a valid and binding agreement under BC's Electronic Transactions Act, SBC 2001, c. 10. SaunaScout will maintain a record of your acceptance including date, time, and account details.
15. Amendments & General Provisions
SaunaScout may amend this Agreement at any time by posting an updated version to the Platform and notifying you by email. Continued use of the Platform following notice constitutes acceptance. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force. SaunaScout's failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of its right to enforce it in the future.