Terms of Service | Shared Storage

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account or using the Shared Storage platform (the "Platform"), including our website at sharedstorage.ca and our mobile application, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Platform.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Shared Storage Inc. ("Shared Storage," "we," "us," or "our"). Where applicable, the rights provided to consumers under the Ontario Consumer Protection Act, 2002 and other applicable legislation are not excluded by these Terms.

2. Description of Service

Shared Storage is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace that connects people who have extra space ("Hosts") with people who need storage ("Renters"). We facilitate the connection, booking, payment processing, and communication between parties. We are not a party to the storage agreement between Hosts and Renters, and we do not own, operate, manage, or control any storage spaces listed on the Platform.

Shared Storage does not verify that Hosts have the legal right to rent or sublease the space they list. Renters are responsible for satisfying themselves that a Host has the authority to offer the space.

3. Eligibility

To use the Platform, you must:

Be at least 18 years of age
Be located in Canada and using the Platform for storage within Canada
Have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
Provide accurate and complete registration information
Not have been previously suspended or terminated from the Platform

4. Account Registration

You must create an account to use the Platform. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use at [email protected]. We are not liable for any loss resulting from unauthorized use of your account.

5. Host Obligations

Hosts agree to:

Provide accurate and complete descriptions of their storage space, including size, access hours, conditions, and any restrictions
Maintain the listed space in a safe, clean, and usable condition throughout the booking period
Honor all confirmed bookings and not cancel except with the notice required under Section 9
Provide renters with reasonable access to the space as agreed at the time of booking
Comply with all applicable municipal bylaws, building codes, strata or condo rules, lease terms, and other regulations
Maintain appropriate property or liability insurance for their space (see Section 12)
Be solely responsible for reporting and remitting any income tax, HST, or other taxes arising from rental income received through the Platform

6. Renter Obligations

Renters agree to:

Use the storage space only for lawful purposes
Not store any prohibited items (see Section 10)
Treat the Host's property and any shared areas with care and respect
Make timely payments as agreed and not initiate chargebacks except in cases of genuine unauthorized charges
Comply with all access rules, hours, and conditions set by the Host
Vacate and remove all stored items upon termination or expiry of the booking, leaving the space in the condition it was provided

7. Payments and Fees

All payments are processed through Stripe, Inc. By using the Platform, you agree to Stripe's terms of service and privacy policy. Shared Storage charges a platform service fee on each transaction, which is clearly disclosed before booking confirmation. All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD) unless otherwise stated.

Payments are charged automatically on a recurring monthly basis on the anniversary of the booking start date
Hosts receive payouts by direct deposit, typically within 5–7 business days after each billing cycle
Shared Storage reserves the right to withhold payouts in the event of an active dispute or investigation into fraudulent activity
Users are responsible for any applicable taxes on transactions processed through the Platform

8. User-Generated Content

The Platform allows users to submit content including listing descriptions, photos, reviews, and messages ("User Content"). By submitting User Content, you grant Shared Storage a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, display, reproduce, and distribute that content for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform.

You represent that you own or have the necessary rights to submit your User Content, and that it does not violate any third-party rights or applicable laws. Shared Storage does not endorse any User Content and is not responsible for its accuracy or completeness. We reserve the right to remove User Content that violates these Terms.

9. Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellation policies may vary by listing. In general:

Host cancellation: Hosts must provide at least 30 days' written notice through the Platform. Any prepaid rent beyond the notice period will be refunded to the Renter in full within 5–7 business days.
Renter cancellation: Renters may cancel with at least 30 days' notice. Rent paid for the period after the notice date will be refunded on a prorated basis.
Listing disputes: If a space materially does not match its listing description, Renters must contact Shared Storage within 48 hours of move-in to file a dispute. If the dispute is upheld, Shared Storage will issue a full refund for any amounts paid. Shared Storage's determination of listing disputes is final.
Refund processing: All approved refunds are processed through Stripe and typically appear within 5–10 business days, depending on your financial institution.

10. Prohibited Items and Uses

The following are strictly prohibited on the Platform:

Hazardous, flammable, explosive, or toxic materials
Illegal substances, contraband, or stolen goods
Firearms, weapons, or ammunition (unless stored in compliance with all applicable federal and provincial laws and with the Host's explicit written consent)
Perishable food items or anything that may attract pests
Live animals or plants
Items that emit offensive odours
Any items or uses that violate applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law

Hosts who knowingly permit prohibited items and Renters who store them may be immediately terminated from the Platform and reported to relevant authorities where required by law.

11. Limitation of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranties

The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components.

Shared Storage acts as an intermediary marketplace and is not liable for:

Damage to, loss, or theft of stored items
Disputes between Hosts and Renters
The condition, safety, suitability, or legality of any storage space
Any personal injury or property damage occurring on a Host's property
Any unauthorized access to a storage space by third parties

Our total aggregate liability to you for any claims arising from your use of the Platform shall not exceed the total service fees paid by you to Shared Storage in the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be excluded under applicable Ontario or Canadian consumer protection law.

12. Insurance

Shared Storage does not provide insurance for stored items or for Host properties. Hosts are solely responsible for maintaining appropriate property, contents, and/or liability insurance for their space. Shared Storage makes no representation regarding the existence, adequacy, or validity of any Host's insurance.

Renters are strongly encouraged to obtain tenant's, renter's, or storage contents insurance to protect their belongings. The storage of items on the Platform is entirely at the Renter's own risk.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Shared Storage Inc., its officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or in connection with:

Your use of the Platform or any storage space booked through it
Your User Content
Your violation of these Terms
Your violation of any applicable law or the rights of any third party
Any storage agreement between you and another user

14. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account, with or without notice, for violations of these Terms, fraudulent or abusive activity, or behaviour that harms other users or the integrity of the Platform. Where reasonable and practicable, we will provide advance notice before termination.

Upon termination:

Any active bookings may be cancelled, with affected parties notified and entitled to applicable refunds under Section 9
Any outstanding payouts owed to Hosts (less any disputed amounts) will be processed within 30 days
You remain responsible for any outstanding obligations incurred prior to termination

You may close your account at any time by contacting [email protected].

15. Force Majeure

Shared Storage is not liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations under these Terms to the extent that such delay or failure is caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, pandemic, government action, power failures, or internet outages.

16. Intellectual Property

All content on the Platform, including text, graphics, logos, and software, is the property of Shared Storage Inc. or its licensors and is protected by Canadian and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without our express written permission.

17. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of competent jurisdiction in Ottawa, Ontario. You agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

18. Entire Agreement and Severability

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Shared Storage with respect to your use of the Platform and supersede all prior agreements and understandings. If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

19. No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Shared Storage to be effective.

20. Changes to These Terms

We may revise these Terms at any time. For material changes, we will notify you by email (at the address associated with your account) and by posting the updated Terms on the Platform, at least 14 days before the changes take effect. Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Platform and may close your account.

21. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us:

Shared Storage Inc.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (613) 619-5929