Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

ResMate (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our student accommodation platform.

We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa and other applicable data protection laws.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

• Name and email address
• University and campus affiliation
• Profile picture (if provided)
• Phone number (if provided)

2.2 Usage Information

• Search queries and filter preferences
• Residence views and saved favorites
• Application submissions
• Messages sent through our platform

2.3 Technical Information

• IP address and device information
• Browser type and version
• Pages visited and time spent

3. How We Use Your Information

• To provide and maintain our service
• To match you with suitable accommodation options
• To facilitate communication between students and landlords
• To process your accommodation applications
• To send you relevant notifications and updates
• To improve our platform and user experience
• To comply with legal obligations

4. Information Sharing

We may share your personal information with:

• Landlords: When you submit an application or initiate contact
• Service Providers: For payment processing, analytics, and hosting
• Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect our rights

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/TLS)
• Secure password hashing
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security audits

6. Your Rights

Under POPIA, you have the right to:

• Access your personal information
• Correct inaccurate information
• Delete your account and associated data
• Object to certain processing activities
• Withdraw consent at any time
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator

7. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience. These include:

• Essential cookies: Required for the platform to function
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how you use our platform
• Preference cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide our services. After account deletion, we may retain certain information for legal compliance purposes for up to 5 years.

9. Children's Privacy

Our platform is intended for users 18 years and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the “Last updated” date.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us at: