1. Using the platform

These terms apply to soulnet.co.za, business subdomains and our applications. By using the platform you agree to these terms. A person registering a business or listing a property must have authority to represent it. Use features only when they are available; descriptions of planned features do not mean they have launched.

Keep account information accurate and credentials secure. One account may manage several businesses within its active plan allowance. Business-owner access does not grant admin permissions. We may suspend fraudulent, unsafe or abusive activity; you may contact support to dispute a decision.

2. Independent sellers and payments

Unless a listing explicitly identifies SoulNet as the seller, the product or service contract is between the customer and the named business. The business is responsible for accurate descriptions, fulfilment, lawful products and applicable consumer remedies.

Checkout shows the payment methods enabled for that business and transaction. Methods may include an online provider, EFT, payment on delivery or a direct WhatsApp order. Availability varies. An order submission or WhatsApp message is not proof of payment or merchant acceptance. Confirm price, delivery fees, fulfilment and acceptance before paying.

Online settlement and refunds depend on the selected provider and merchant arrangements. SoulNet does not promise an escrow account, insured payments, guaranteed payouts or guaranteed recovery of money. Do not send card numbers, CVVs or banking passwords through messages or AI chat.

3. Prices, plans and cancellation

Prices and applicable delivery charges, taxes and fees must be disclosed before confirmation. Business subscriptions provide the allowance and features shown at purchase. The checkout must show the price, billing period, payment provider, number of recurring cycles (if any), and renewal or cancellation conditions before payment.

A platform subscription may be paid upfront or, where checkout expressly offers it, by automatic monthly recurring card payments through PayFast. Recurring billing is not available for EFT, cash, PayShap or other non-card methods. A fixed-cycle subscription ends after the displayed number of successful cycles; a failed charge may be retried or may suspend or expire access under the displayed plan rules and provider process.

Accommodation-owner subscriptions and prices remain planned and are not activated by these terms. Students are not charged to browse accommodation. See the refunds policy for cancellations and consumer rights; nothing in these terms removes rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

4. Student accommodation directory

Where enabled, accommodation operates as an independent listing and enquiry directory, not a rent, deposit or application-fee collection service. An enquiry does not reserve a room, create a lease or confirm funding. Confirm the landlord’s authority, property condition and written lease before committing.

Property profiles and available rooms are separate. Approved properties may have no available rooms. Only approved, advertised rooms marked available with recently confirmed availability appear in the available-room list. Availability can change and must be confirmed with the owner.

LocalMarket review, including an admin’s recorded personal knowledge of a property, is not a guarantee of safety or official NSFAS accreditation. Personal approval cannot award an accreditation badge. Official accreditation requires a separate evidence review, reference and current validity, and students should independently confirm it with NSFAS or their institution.

NSFAS states that beneficiaries are not required to pay fees for student accommodation. Do not use LocalMarket to request accommodation fees from NSFAS beneficiaries or to bypass official funding and allocation processes. Refer to the official NSFAS website for current requirements.

5. Content, reviews and AI

Publish content you have permission to use. Reviews, reactions and comments must reflect honest experience and must not contain threats, impersonation, personal documents or unlawful content. Report misleading listings or unsafe behaviour. We may remove content or suspend listings while investigating.

AI responses and image matches may be incomplete or wrong. They do not approve payments, verify official accreditation, confirm a booking or replace professional advice. Verify important details with the business, property owner or official source.

6. Disputes, responsibility and changes

Contact the seller first about fulfilment or refunds, and platform support about account, payment-record or listing issues. You retain access to applicable regulators, dispute bodies and courts. South African law applies.

We do not guarantee uninterrupted service. Any limitation of responsibility applies only to the extent permitted by law and does not exclude mandatory consumer rights or responsibility that cannot lawfully be excluded. Material changes will be published with an updated date; they do not retrospectively remove accrued rights.