Terms of Service

1. About Bark Parks

Bark Parks is an online marketplace that connects dog owners ("Guests") with property owners ("Hosts") who have privately fenced outdoor spaces available for short-term rental. Bark Parks is a platform provider only. It does not own, operate, manage, or control any of the listed spaces, and is not a party to any rental agreement formed between a Guest and a Host.

Bark Parks is operated from Cape Town, South Africa. For supplier information required under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 ("ECT Act"):

Physical address: Unit 2 Gaywood, Kingston Road, Rosebank, Cape Town
Email: andrew@barkparks.co.za
Website: barkparks.co.za

By creating an account or using the platform, you agree to these Terms of Service in full. If you do not agree, you may not use the platform.

2. Applicable law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, including but not limited to:

• The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 ("CPA")
• The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 ("ECT Act")
• The Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 ("POPIA")

Nothing in these terms is intended to limit or waive any right you have under the CPA or any other applicable South African legislation.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, make a booking, or list a space on Bark Parks. By using the platform you confirm that you meet this requirement.

4. Bookings and payments

When a Guest completes a booking and payment, a direct rental agreement is formed between the Guest and the Host. Bark Parks is not a party to that agreement and is not responsible for the Host's performance of it.

All payments are processed securely via Paystack. A platform fee of R25 applies to every booking to cover platform and payment processing costs. This fee is disclosed before payment is completed. The R25 platform fee is non-refundable only where a Guest cancels within 24 hours of the booking start time; it is refunded in all other circumstances.

Hosts receive their payout, minus the applicable platform commission, on a bi-weekly basis following a completed booking. Payouts are subject to the Host having provided valid banking details.

5. Cooling-off period

Under section 44 of the ECT Act, consumers have a right to cancel electronic transactions within 7 business days without reason or penalty, provided the service has not already commenced. Where a booking session takes place within 7 business days of the transaction date and you have agreed to the session proceeding, the cooling-off right does not apply to that booking.

To exercise your cooling-off right on an eligible transaction, email us at andrew@barkparks.co.za.

6. Cancellations and refunds

Guest cancellations

In accordance with section 17 of the CPA, Guests may cancel an advance booking. The following applies:

• More than 24 hours before the booking start time: full refund of the total amount paid, including the R25 platform fee.
• Within 24 hours of the booking start time: no refund. The full booking amount including the R25 platform fee is forfeited.

These cancellation fees are reasonable and proportionate to the notice period given, in accordance with section 17(3) of the CPA.

Host cancellations and declines

If a Host cancels a confirmed booking, or declines a booking after payment has been received, the Guest will receive a full refund of the total amount paid, including the R25 platform fee. As a goodwill gesture, Bark Parks will also apply a R50 platform credit to the Guest's account, valid for 12 months and automatically applied to their next booking.

Hosts who cancel or decline more than one paid booking within any 3-month period will have their account reviewed and may be suspended from the platform. Bark Parks takes Host reliability seriously and will act to protect Guests who have already paid.

Refund processing time

All refunds are processed immediately by Bark Parks. However, the return of funds to the Guest's original payment method typically takes 3–5 business days depending on the Guest's bank or card provider. Bark Parks is not responsible for delays caused by third-party financial institutions.

Bark Parks reserves the right to issue refunds at its discretion in exceptional circumstances, including verified safety incidents or significant misrepresentation of a listing.

7. Guest responsibilities

• Guests are fully responsible for their dogs during a booking session, including any damage, injury, or nuisance caused.
• Guests must ensure all dogs brought to a session are vaccinated, healthy, and under control.
• Guests must arrive and leave within their booked time window.
• Guests may not access any part of the Host's property outside the designated space.
• Guests must leave the space in the same condition they found it.
• Guests may not bring undisclosed additional dogs or people to a session without the Host's prior consent.

8. Host responsibilities

• Hosts must accurately represent their space in their listing, including size, fencing, amenities, and any hazards.
• Hosts must ensure the space is safe, clean, and accessible for the booked session.
• Hosts must not enter the booked space during an active session without the Guest's consent, except in an emergency.
• Hosts are responsible for ensuring their listing complies with all applicable laws, including any sectional title or homeowners association rules.

9. Liability

By completing a booking as a Guest, you acknowledge and agree that:

• You enter the booked space voluntarily and at your own risk.
• Bark Parks is not liable for any injury, loss, damage, or theft that occurs during a booking session.
• The Host is not an agent or employee of Bark Parks.
• Bark Parks is a marketplace platform and does not provide insurance cover for bookings. You are advised to ensure your personal liability and property insurance is appropriate for hosting or visiting private spaces.
• You are solely responsible for the actions and safety of your dogs at all times.

Nothing in this section limits Bark Parks' liability for gross negligence, wilful misconduct, or any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under the CPA or any other applicable South African law.

10. Prohibited conduct

The following are strictly prohibited on Bark Parks:

• Misrepresenting your identity or providing false information during verification.
• Conducting transactions outside the platform to circumvent fees.
• Bringing undisclosed dogs or guests to a booked session.
• Using a booked space for any purpose other than dog exercise and play.
• Harassing, threatening, or intimidating other users.
• Listing spaces you do not have the right to rent out.

Violations may result in immediate account suspension and, where applicable, legal action.

11. Reviews

Both Guests and Hosts may leave reviews after a completed booking. Reviews must be honest, accurate, and relate to the actual booking experience. Bark Parks reserves the right to remove reviews that are abusive, fraudulent, or in violation of these terms.

12. Intellectual property

All content on the Bark Parks platform, including the design, copy, and code, is the property of Bark Parks. Listings, photos, and reviews remain the property of the users who created them, but by uploading them you grant Bark Parks a non-exclusive licence to display and reproduce them on the platform for as long as your listing or account is active.

13. Dispute resolution

If you have a dispute with Bark Parks, please contact us first at andrew@barkparks.co.za. We will make every reasonable effort to resolve disputes informally within 10 business days.

If a dispute cannot be resolved directly, you may refer the matter to the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (cgso.org.za) or approach the National Consumer Tribunal.

14. Changes to these terms

Bark Parks may update these Terms of Service at any time. Continued use of the platform after an update constitutes acceptance of the new terms. Material changes will be communicated by email at least 5 business days before taking effect.

15. Governing law

These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes that cannot be resolved through the channels in section 13 will be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.

16. Contact

For questions about these terms, contact us at andrew@barkparks.co.za.