Legal
Terms & Conditions
These terms explain how Stayawhile should be used and what users can expect when arranging support through the platform.
1. About Stayawhile
Stayawhile is a platform connecting individuals, families and organisations with independent companions for companionship, pet sitting, babysitting and social support. We are a booking and introduction service only. We do not provide, employ, supervise or regulate any care.
2. Companion Status
Companions are independent contractors, not employees, agents or carers of Stayawhile. They set their own rates, hours and availability, and may accept or decline bookings at their discretion.
3. Platform Use
All communication should remain within the Stayawhile platform. Sharing personal contact information, arranging off-platform bookings, or attempting to avoid platform safety and payment processes is prohibited.
4. Safety
Bookings are permitted between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM only. Companions must check in and check out for each visit. Companions may provide DBS and identity verification documents for review where required. Verification checks are carried out in good faith but are not a guarantee of any individual's conduct, character or suitability.
5. No Care Services Provided
Stayawhile does not offer medical care, personal care, nursing, or any regulated care service, and no companion relationship created through the platform should be treated as such. If you request, arrange or accept assistance that goes beyond companionship, pet sitting or babysitting, you do so entirely at your own risk and on your own responsibility. Families, members and organisations remain fully responsible for the welfare, supervision, medication and care needs of the people or animals they book visits for, and must ensure any care needs are met by appropriately qualified professionals.
6. Liability & Indemnity
Stayawhile facilitates connections between users. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any actions, misconduct, omissions, disputes, loss, damage or incidents arising between members, companions, organisations or any third parties, whether during or outside a booking. You use the platform and arrange meetings at your own risk. You agree to indemnify and hold Stayawhile, its owners and operators harmless against any claims, losses, costs or expenses arising from your use of the platform, your bookings, or any assistance you request, provide or accept through it. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law. Concerns should be reported immediately through the platform.
7. Payments & Fees
Payments are processed securely through Stayawhile. A 7.5% platform service fee is retained on each booking subtotal. Companions receive 92.5% of the agreed booking cost. Optional tips are split with 95% paid to the companion and 5% retained for platform operations.
8. Banking & Data Security
Bank details provided by companions are stored securely and accessed only by authorised Stayawhile administrators for payout processing. Sensitive documents are stored privately and accessed through secure, time-limited links.
9. Voice-Activated Emergency Safety
Stayawhile offers an optional voice-activated emergency safety feature. If enabled, you choose a private safe word for emergency services and an optional separate safe word for your emergency contact. When the app detects your emergency services word, a countdown gives you 8 seconds to say or tap "cancel" before a call to your region's emergency number is dialled; when it detects your contact word (or your contact's name), it places a call to your saved emergency contact and may send them an alert including your location. The feature relies on your device's speech recognition, microphone access and an active internet connection, and may not work in all situations — for example, if the microphone is muted, background noise is loud, another voice triggers it, or the app is closed. You are responsible for choosing safe words unlikely to be said in normal conversation, keeping your device charged and connected, testing the feature regularly, and the accuracy of your emergency contact details. The feature is opt-in, indicated by a pulsing microphone icon in the app header, and can be switched off or changed at any time. It is an additional safety aid only and does not replace contacting emergency services directly in a genuine emergency. Stayawhile does not guarantee that any emergency call will be recognised, dialled or completed, accepts no liability for a failed, delayed or accidental trigger, and is not responsible for the outcome of any call made or alert sent through this feature.
10. AI Assistant & Automated Matching
Where available, the AI assistant and automated matching tools provide suggestions only. They do not vet, endorse or guarantee any companion, and their output may be incomplete or inaccurate. You remain responsible for checking profiles, reviews and suitability before booking.
11. Account Security
Keep your login details private and enable verification features offered to you. You are responsible for activity carried out through your account. Notify us immediately if you believe your account has been accessed without permission.
12. Changes to These Terms
We may update these terms from time to time. Continued use of Stayawhile after changes are published constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.