Private Safehouse Network (PSN) Terms of Use

Effective Date: 1 July 2025
Governing Law: State of Delaware

1 Purpose and Scope

PSN provides a membership‑based platform connecting families seeking emergency shelter (“Guests”) with vetted property owners offering safe‑houses (“Hosts”) during natural disasters, civil unrest or similar emergencies.

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) constitute a binding agreement between PSN (“we,” “us,” or “our”) and every person who accesses or uses the PSN website, applications, or associated tools (collectively, the “Services”).

By using the Services, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and agree to comply with these Terms.

2 Definitions

Member: Any individual or entity who registers for or accesses PSN Services. Includes Hosts and Guests.

Host: A Member who offers a property (“Safehouse”) through the PSN network. Hosts must comply with local laws and meet PSN safety standards.

Guest: A Member who selects or uses a Safehouse during an Activation.

Safehouse: A property listed on PSN for use by Guests during an emergency or readiness event. Must meet PSN’s vetting requirements and carry appropriate insurance.

Activation: Triggering of Guest access to a Safehouse, via declaration of an emergency or mutual agreement.

Standard Tier / VIP Tier Membership levels. Standard Tier offers general access to Safehouses on a first‑come, first‑served basis with no guarantee of availability or an appropriate match. VIP Tier provides reserved Safehouse access for a specific Guest in exchange for readiness fees.

Services: The PSN website, platform, network, tools and services collectively.

3 Acceptance of Terms

By accessing the Services you acknowledge and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. You represent that you have the legal authority to bind yourself or any entity you represent and that all information provided to PSN is accurate and complete. Class Action Waiver: You completely and fully waive the ability to participate in any class or collective action. Any disputes between you and PSN must be resolved individually, first by mediation, then by arbitration subject to AAA rules.

4 Modifications

Updates: PSN may update these Terms at any time. Updated Terms will be posted to the Services, and continued use constitutes acceptance.

Material Changes: We will provide reasonable notice (e.g., new date on policies and/or notification) if changes materially alter your rights. If you disagree with the updated Terms, you must stop using the Services.

5 Eligibility and Account Responsibilities

Age: The Services are intended only for U.S. based adults, defined as individuals aged 18 or older.

Registration: Members must create an account and provide accurate contact information. Hosts may be required to undergo background checks, property inspections and provide insurance documentation. Guests may also undergo background checks.

Account Security: You are responsible for safeguarding your account credentials and for all activities under your account. Notify PSN immediately of unauthorized access.

6 Relationship of Parties

PSN facilitates connections between Hosts and Guests but is not a lodging provider. PSN does not own, operate or control Safehouses. The Service is a marketplace platform.

PSN does not and cannot guarantee the condition, legality or suitability of any Safehouse.

Hosts and Guests enter into a separate Host Agreement or Guest Agreement for the lodging arrangement. Those agreements define specific rights and obligations relating to the stay (e.g., house rules, cancellation policies, liability, indemnification).

PSN is not responsible for any non‑performance or disputes between Members and will provide dispute resolution only as outlined in these Terms.

7 Payments and Fees

7.1 Membership and Activation Fees

Membership Fees: Members pay a monthly fee for the Standard Tier or VIP Tier. Fees for VIP Tier may include a readiness fee and exclusive reservation of a specific Safehouse.

Activation Fees: When a Safehouse is activated, Guests pay the Host a nightly rate. PSN processes payments via Stripe.

Price Transparency: Hosts set nightly rates and readiness fees (for VIP Tier). PSN may collect a service fee and remit funds to the Host minus applicable charges.

7.2 Payments Processing

Third‑Party Processor: All payments are processed through Stripe or another authorized payment provider.

Taxes: Hosts are solely responsible for determining and collecting any taxes (e.g., occupancy, sales tax) applicable to the Safehouse stay. PSN may facilitate collection and remittance where required by law.

Non‑Refundable Fees: Most membership, readiness and service fees are non‑refundable unless otherwise stated in a PSN-drafted Host or PSN-drafted Guest Agreement.

7.3 Cancellations

Member Cancellation: Members may cancel at any time via their account settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle; PSN does not issue prorated refunds unless required by law.

PSN Suspension/Termination: PSN may suspend or terminate access for violation of these Terms, non‑payment, fraud or unlawful conduct. Unused fees will not be refunded.

8 Roles, Responsibilities & Codes of Conduct

8.1 PSN Responsibilities

Operate the platform, vet Hosts, and process payments.

Provide emergency alerts, readiness materials, risk assessments and training materials to Members.

8.2 Host Obligations

Safety Standards: Maintain the Safehouse in habitable condition, comply with all local laws (zoning, health, safety), and obtain any required permits.

Insurance: Carry property and liability insurance adequate to cover guests; provide PSN with proof of coverage.

Background & Vetting: Submit to background checks if requested. Host households may need to pass site visits or readiness inspections.

Non‑Discrimination: Comply with federal, state and local fair housing and anti‑discrimination laws. Host agrees not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, disability or any other protected category.

Honesty & Accuracy: Accurately represent the Safehouse, its amenities and conditions. Update availability and pricing promptly.

8.3 Guest Obligations

Respect Property: Use Safehouses responsibly; follow house rules and local laws; refrain from damaging property or causing nuisance.

Payment: Pay required membership and nightly fees timely. Provide accurate payment information and maintain sufficient funds.

Safety & Readiness: Follow PSN guidance for evacuations and readiness; maintain confidentiality of Safehouse locations.

Prohibited Conduct: Guests shall not use Safehouses for unlawful purposes, including but not limited to criminal activities, discriminatory behavior or harassment.

8.4 Prohibited Conduct (Applies to all Members)

Members agree that they will not:

Use the Services for any unlawful or fraudulent purpose or to encourage or facilitate illegal acts.

Circumvent PSN’s platform, solicit or accept bookings outside PSN or abuse discount codes.

Damage, deface, modify or illegally enter any Safehouse or other property.

Harass, threaten, discriminate against, or endanger any Member.

Copy, scrape or index PSN content or data for commercial purposes.

Upload viruses, malware or content that infringes intellectual property rights or privacy rights.

8.5 License to PSN for Content

By uploading any information, including personal information or property descriptions, images, house rules or other content, Members grant PSN a non‑exclusive, royalty‑free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, display and distribute the content for the purpose of listing Safehouses and marketing the Services. Members warrant that they have the right to grant this license and that the content does not infringe any third‑party rights.

8.6 Feedback

If you submit comments, suggestions or ideas to PSN, you grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty‑free license to use that feedback for any purpose without compensation.

9 Privacy

Use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains what data we collect, how we use it and your rights. You consent to PSN’s collection and use of personal data as described in the Privacy Policy.

10 Intellectual Property

All PSN trademarks, logos, software, text, graphics and content are protected by copyright, trademark and other laws.

Members may not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute or create derivative works based on PSN content without our express written permission.

Your use of PSN does not grant you any ownership rights in the Services or content.

11 Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

No Warranty: The Services and Safehouse listings are provided “as is” without warranties of any kind. PSN disclaims all implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non‑infringement.

No Guarantee of Safety: PSN does not inspect or control Safehouses and makes no representations regarding the safety, security or suitability of any property. Use of a Safehouse is at your own risk.

Limitation of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by law, PSN shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of or related to these Terms or the Services, including loss of profits, personal injury or property damage.

PSN’s total liability shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amounts you paid to PSN in the 12 months preceding the event or (b) $100.

Indemnification: Members agree to indemnify and hold PSN and its officers, directors, employees and agents harmless from any claims, demands, losses or damages, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or related to (i) your use of the Services or Safehouses, (ii) your breach of these Terms or other agreements, or (iii) your interaction with other Members.

No Guarantee of Completeness or Accuracy: PSN provides emergency alerts and readiness materials as a convenience to Members. The information may include warnings, forecasts or advice regarding threats. Because emergencies are dynamic and information may change rapidly, PSN does not warrant that alerts will be complete, current or error‑free. There may be delays, omissions or inaccuracies due to technical issues, third‑party data sources or human error. PSN expressly disclaims liability for any harm caused by reliance on such information.

PSN is Not a Government Agency or Emergency Authority: PSN is a private platform designed to help connect families with vetted Safehouses and to encourage preparedness. It does not replace the services, alerts or directives issued by local, state or federal emergency management agencies. PSN’s alerts and guidance are supplemental only and should not be treated as official instructions.

Every Emergency is Unique: Natural disasters, civil unrest and other hazards are influenced by location, timing, infrastructure, individual vulnerabilities and countless other factors. No generalized tool or alert can account for all variables that might shape your particular situation. Members should consider their own circumstances and use independent judgment when deciding whether to evacuate or shelter in place.

Follow Official Guidance: During an emergency, Members should seek out and comply with directives issued by law‑enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and authorized governmental officials. These authorities have access to real‑time data and resources that PSN does not. PSN alerts may not reflect immediate changes in conditions or government instructions.

Assumption of Risk: By joining PSN and using the Services, Members acknowledge and agree that they assume full responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those in their care. PSN and its affiliates are not responsible for injuries, loss of life, property damage or other losses arising from decisions Members make based on PSN’s alerts, content or guidance. This includes any damage to a Safehouse, injury to a Guest or Host, or loss of personal property resulting from following—or failing to follow—PSN communications.

Limitation of Liability and Release: To the fullest extent permitted by law, Members hereby waive, release and discharge PSN and its officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates from any and all claims, demands, damages, causes of action or liabilities—whether known or unknown—arising from or related to the use of PSN’s alerts, readiness materials or other Services. This waiver includes claims for negligence and shall survive termination of membership.

Indemnification: Members agree to indemnify and hold PSN harmless from any claims by third parties (including Hosts, Guests, neighbors or governmental entities) arising out of their reliance on PSN’s information or their actions during an emergency. This indemnification obligation mirrors the indemnity language already present in the Terms of Use and further limits PSN’s exposure.

12 Insurance

Hosts must carry adequate property and liability insurance and provide proof of coverage. Guests are encouraged to obtain personal evacuation or travel insurance.

13 Termination

By PSN: We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services at our sole discretion for any breach of these Terms, fraudulent or unlawful activity or other reasons. We will provide notice where legally required.

By You: You may terminate your membership at any time by cancelling your account; however, fees already paid are non‑refundable.

Effect of Termination: Sections regarding intellectual property, warranties, limitation of liability, dispute resolution and indemnification survive termination.

14 Dispute Resolution & Governing Law

Mandatory Arbitration: Any disputes arising under these Terms will be resolved by confidential mediation and, if unresolved, binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in the State of Delaware.

Class Action Waiver: You waive any right to participate in a class action or class arbitration.

Governing Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of Delaware without regard to conflict‑of‑law principles.

15 Force Majeure

PSN, Hosts and Guests are excused from performance under these Terms to the extent performance is prevented or delayed by events beyond reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters, war, terrorism, government actions, power outages). PSN will work to reassign Guests to alternative Safehouses when practical.

16 Miscellaneous

Entire Agreement: These Terms, the Privacy Policy and any separate Host/Guest agreements constitute the entire agreement between you and PSN.

Severability: If any provision is deemed unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect.

No Waiver: Failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of PSN’s right to do so later.

Assignment: You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without PSN’s prior written consent; PSN may freely assign these Terms.

Notices: Communications may be sent electronically (email, notifications). Legal notices to PSN should be sent to [email protected].