Community Guidelines

Article 1 Cancellation

1. If the Guest cancels the homestay after the 14th day prior to the scheduled start date (Japan time), the Guest shall pay a cancellation fee equal to 12% of the Homestay Fee to the Host and 8% of the Homestay Fee to the Operator.

2. In the circumstances described in paragraph 1, the Guest may discharge the cancellation fee by waiving the Guest's entitlement to a refund of the Deposit previously paid to the Operator.

3. If a Host cancels the booking with a Guest less than fourteen (14) days before the scheduled check-in date, the Host must pay to the Guest a cancellation fee equal to twelve per cent (12%) of the Homestay Fee and must pay to the Operator a further eight per cent (8%) of that fee.

4. Upon any cancellation, the Guest and Host must consult with each other in good faith and, where reasonably practicable, seek resolution by proposing an alternative Host or alternative dates.

5. Where the Guest or the Host is prevented from, or substantially hindered in, participating in the Homestay Programme by a force-majeure event—being any event beyond the reasonable control of the party, including natural disasters, fire, earthquake, flood, typhoon, extreme weather, epidemic, war, civil commotion, riot, terrorism, industrial dispute, enactment or amendment of laws, orders or regulations of public authorities, or paralysis of transport or communications—the affected party is released from the whole or a proportionate part of the cancellation fee or other liabilities under this Article.

6. A party seeking to rely on paragraph 5 must notify the other party and the Operator without delay after becoming aware of the force-majeure event and must specify:

(a) the date and nature of the event;

(b) the area and scope of its impact;

(c) how the event makes participation in the Homestay Programme impossible or unreasonably difficult; and

(d) The expected duration of the impact and any proposed measures.

7. Notwithstanding paragraph 5 of this Article, in the event of a cancellation initiated by the Guest—regardless of timing—the Platform Service Fee already received by the Operator is non-refundable.

8. If a Guest or Host cancels without proper cause, fails to pay fees when due, or otherwise damages the credibility of the Service, the Operator may suspend that User's access to the Service, either temporarily or permanently.

Article 2 Guest Code of Conduct

1. The Guest must review, prior to booking, and comply with the Host's house rules posted on the platform (for example, noise restrictions, no-smoking areas, limits on accompanying persons).

2. The Guest must not damage or destroy, whether intentionally or negligently, any furniture, appliances, fixtures, or fittings at the accommodation (collectively, Facilities).

3. If the Guest causes any such damage, the Guest must promptly report the matter to the Host and the Operator and—after good-faith consultation with the Host—compensate the Host for the actual cost of repair or replacement of the affected Facilities.

4. The Guest must respect the Host's lifestyle and household rules and must stay with a flexible and considerate attitude.

Article 3 Host Code of Conduct

1. The Host must keep registration details—including location, Facilities, fees and services offered—accurate and up to date and must update them promptly by the method prescribed by the Operator.

2. The Host must provide a hygienic and safe living environment and must supply meals, cleaning, bedding and other agreed services in a manner that is not materially substandard.

3. The Host should, in principle, reply to platform enquiries within forty-eight (48) hours.

Article 4 Prohibition of Discrimination

1. In using the Service, a User must not discriminate against another User on the basis of:

(a) race, nationality or ethnicity;

(b) sex, sexual orientation or gender identity;

(c) age or disability; or

(d) religion, creed or social status.

2. A User must not include any discriminatory expressions or requirements falling within paragraph 1 (for example, "nationals of X country only" or "members of a particular religion only") in recruitment conditions or profile descriptions.

3. Where discriminatory conduct or expressions are identified, the Operator may, without prior notice, take measures such as suspending the User's messaging functions or cancelling Matches.

Article 5 Safety and Security

1. Hosts must ensure their accommodation meets basic safety standards including working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and secure locks.

2. Hosts must provide emergency contact information to Guests upon arrival.

3. Both Hosts and Guests must respect each other's privacy and personal space.

4. Any safety concerns must be reported to the Operator immediately.

Article 6 Communication Guidelines

1. All communication should be conducted in a respectful and professional manner.

2. Hosts should respond to enquiries within 48 hours when possible.

3. Both parties should communicate clearly about expectations and house rules.

4. Any disputes should be reported to the Operator for mediation.

Article 7 Violations and Enforcement

1. Violations of these guidelines may result in warnings, temporary suspension, or permanent removal from the platform.

2. The Operator reserves the right to investigate any reported violations.

3. Users who repeatedly violate these guidelines may be permanently banned from the service.

4. The Operator's decisions regarding violations are final.

Article 8 Contact Information

For questions or concerns regarding these guidelines, please contact:

Operator: Unique Journey

Email: info@befam.com

Supplementary Provision

Established and effective 1 July 2025