Acceptable Use Policy

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") governs your use of Varden services, including our website, mobile applications, APIs, and all related services (collectively, the "Platform"). By using our Platform, you agree to comply with this policy.

This AUP is incorporated by reference into our Terms of Service. Violation of this policy may result in warnings, suspension, or termination of your account and access to our services. We reserve the right to take any action we deem appropriate, including reporting violations to law enforcement.

1. General Principles

When using Varden, you agree to:

• Act honestly, fairly, and in good faith in all interactions
• Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Respect the rights and privacy of others
• Use the Platform only for its intended property management purposes
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your account
• Report any violations or suspicious activity to us promptly

2. Prohibited Activities

The following activities are strictly prohibited on our Platform:

2.1 Illegal Activities

• Violating any applicable laws, regulations, or government orders
• Facilitating illegal discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or any other protected class
• Engaging in fraud, identity theft, money laundering, or other financial crimes
• Tax evasion or assisting others in evading taxes
• Facilitating illegal evictions or violations of tenant rights
• Collecting or processing payments for illegal activities
• Renting properties for illegal purposes (drug manufacturing, unlicensed businesses, etc.)
• Violating tenant privacy laws or conducting illegal surveillance
• Retaliating against tenants for exercising legal rights
• Violating occupancy limits or housing codes

2.2 Harmful or Deceptive Content

• Posting false, misleading, or deceptive property listings
• Using photos of properties you do not own or have rights to list
• Misrepresenting property conditions, amenities, or availability
• Posting content that is defamatory, harassing, threatening, or abusive
• Sharing content that incites violence or hatred
• Uploading malware, viruses, or other malicious code
• Distributing spam, unsolicited commercial messages, or chain letters
• Phishing or attempting to collect credentials through deception
• Impersonating any person, business, or entity
• Creating fake reviews, ratings, or testimonials

2.3 Platform Abuse and Security Violations

• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to accounts, systems, or data
• Circumventing security measures, access restrictions, or rate limits
• Scraping, data mining, or automated collection of information without authorization
• Interfering with or disrupting the service, servers, or networks
• Introducing denial-of-service attacks or overwhelming system resources
• Creating multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions or abuse features
• Reverse engineering, decompiling, or disassembling any part of the service
• Accessing the Platform through unauthorized means or modified clients
• Probing, scanning, or testing the vulnerability of our systems without permission
• Sharing login credentials or allowing unauthorized access to your account

2.4 Financial Misconduct

• Processing payments for properties you do not own or have authority to manage
• Collecting deposits, rent, or fees without proper authorization
• Providing false information for identity verification or KYC processes
• Manipulating or exploiting the payment system
• Charging excessive, illegal, or undisclosed fees to tenants
• Failing to properly account for or return security deposits as required by law
• Using the Platform to facilitate ponzi schemes or investment fraud
• Misappropriating funds held in trust for property owners
• Submitting fraudulent insurance claims or documentation

2.5 Privacy Violations

• Sharing personally identifiable information of others without consent
• Using tenant screening information for purposes other than rental decisions
• Sharing or selling consumer reports in violation of FCRA
• Recording or monitoring tenants without proper notice and consent
• Accessing or disclosing private communications without authorization
• Using the Platform to stalk, harass, or intimidate individuals
• Collecting data beyond what is necessary for legitimate purposes

3. Fair Housing Compliance

Varden is committed to fair housing and equal opportunity. All users must comply with the Fair Housing Act and equivalent state and local fair housing laws.

3.1 Prohibited Discrimination

You may not discriminate in any aspect of housing based on:

• Race or color
• Religion
• Sex (including sexual harassment and gender identity)
• National origin
• Familial status (families with children, pregnant women)
• Disability (physical or mental)
• Sexual orientation
• Source of income (Section 8, vouchers, etc., where protected by law)
• Marital status (where protected by law)
• Age (where protected by law)
• Veteran or military status (where protected by law)
• Any other characteristic protected by applicable law

3.2 Prohibited Discriminatory Actions

• Refusing to rent, sell, or negotiate housing
• Setting different terms, conditions, or privileges
• Falsely claiming unavailability
• Using discriminatory language in listings or communications
• Steering applicants to or away from certain properties or neighborhoods
• Discouraging applications from protected classes
• Refusing reasonable accommodations for disabilities
• Refusing reasonable modifications for disabilities

3.3 Consistent Standards

• Apply identical screening criteria to all applicants
• Document objective, non-discriminatory reasons for all decisions
• Train all staff on fair housing requirements
• Review and update policies regularly for compliance

For more information, see our Fair Housing Statement.

4. Property Listing Standards

All property listings must meet the following standards:

4.1 Accuracy Requirements

• Accurately represent the property's condition, features, and current availability
• Include current, authentic photographs of the actual property
• Disclose all material facts, known defects, and hazards
• State accurate pricing without hidden or undisclosed fees
• Specify accurate square footage, bedroom/bathroom counts, and amenities
• Update listings promptly when properties become unavailable

4.2 Legal Compliance

• List only properties you are legally authorized to rent or manage
• Comply with all local disclosure requirements (lead paint, mold, sex offender registries, etc.)
• Include required accessibility information
• Follow local short-term rental regulations if applicable
• Obtain necessary permits and licenses for rental properties

4.3 Photo and Media Standards

• Use photos you own or have permission to use
• Do not use photos from other listings without authorization
• Photos must accurately represent current property conditions
• Do not use digitally altered images that misrepresent the property
• Remove photos of previous tenants' belongings or identifiable information

5. Tenant Screening Standards

When using tenant screening features, you must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable state laws:

5.1 Permissible Purpose

• Use screening information only to evaluate applications for housing
• Do not share, sell, or use reports for any other purpose
• Obtain proper authorization from applicants before ordering reports

5.2 Consistent Application

• Apply identical screening criteria to all applicants for a property
• Document your screening criteria before advertising a property
• Do not use screening to discriminate against protected classes
• Consider the full context of information, not just automated scores

5.3 Adverse Action Compliance

• Provide adverse action notices when denying applications based on screening reports
• Include required information about the reporting agency
• Inform applicants of their right to dispute inaccurate information
• Provide a copy of the report if required by state law

5.4 Criminal History Considerations

• Follow HUD guidance on considering criminal history
• Conduct individualized assessments rather than blanket bans
• Consider the nature, severity, and recency of offenses
• Comply with state and local "ban the box" laws

5.5 Data Security

• Keep screening reports confidential and secure
• Dispose of reports properly according to FCRA requirements
• Do not retain reports longer than necessary
• Limit access to screening information to authorized personnel

6. Communication Standards

When communicating through the Platform:

6.1 Professional Conduct

• Be respectful, professional, and courteous in all interactions
• Respond to communications in a timely manner
• Use clear, accurate, and honest language
• Do not misrepresent your identity or authority

6.2 Prohibited Communications

• Harassment, threats, or intimidation
• Discriminatory or offensive language
• Spam, unsolicited advertising, or promotional content
• False or misleading information
• Requests for off-platform payment to circumvent protections
• Sharing confidential information inappropriately

6.3 Legal Communications

• Serve legal notices through proper channels as required by law
• Maintain records of all legal communications
• Follow required notice periods and formats for evictions, rent increases, etc.

7. API and Developer Usage

If you access our APIs or developer tools:

7.1 Authorization

• Only access APIs through official, documented methods
• Maintain the security of your API keys and credentials
• Do not share API keys or allow unauthorized access
• Immediately revoke compromised credentials

7.2 Rate Limits and Resources

• Respect all rate limits and usage quotas
• Implement appropriate caching to reduce API calls
• Do not attempt to circumvent rate limiting
• Distribute requests evenly over time

7.3 Data Usage

• Use API data only for permitted purposes
• Do not store data longer than necessary
• Delete data when your authorization is revoked
• Implement appropriate security for any cached data
• Do not sell, share, or redistribute API data

7.4 Attribution

• Provide appropriate attribution where required
• Do not misrepresent your relationship with Varden
• Follow our branding guidelines for any integrations

8. Account Security Requirements

To maintain platform security, you must:

8.1 Password and Authentication

• Use a strong, unique password (minimum 12 characters recommended)
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA), especially for accounts with payout access
• Keep your login credentials confidential
• Do not share your account with unauthorized individuals
• Log out of shared or public devices

8.2 Monitoring and Reporting

• Regularly review your account activity
• Report suspected security breaches immediately
• Notify us of any unauthorized access
• Update contact information to ensure you receive security alerts

8.3 Device Security

• Keep your devices and software updated
• Use antivirus and anti-malware protection
• Be cautious of phishing attempts
• Verify the authenticity of communications claiming to be from Varden

9. Intellectual Property

Respect intellectual property rights:

• Do not use copyrighted content without permission
• Do not infringe on trademarks or trade dress
• Respect our intellectual property and branding guidelines
• Report intellectual property violations through our DMCA process

See our DMCA Policy for more information on reporting infringement.

10. Reporting Violations

If you encounter violations of this policy, suspicious activity, or believe another user is misusing the Platform, please report it immediately:

What to Report

• Fraudulent listings or scam attempts
• Discriminatory behavior or language
• Harassment or threatening conduct
• Suspected unauthorized account access
• Misuse of tenant screening information
• Payment fraud or financial misconduct
• Any illegal activity

11. Enforcement

We investigate all reported violations and may take action including:

11.1 Possible Actions

• Warning: Written notice of the violation
• Content Removal: Removing offending listings, content, or data
• Feature Restriction: Limiting access to certain features
• Temporary Suspension: Suspending account access for a period
• Permanent Termination: Permanently disabling the account
• Legal Action: Pursuing civil or criminal remedies
• Law Enforcement Referral: Reporting illegal activity to authorities

11.2 Factors Considered

The severity of enforcement depends on:

• Nature and severity of the violation
• Whether the violation was intentional
• History of prior violations
• Potential harm to users or the Platform
• Cooperation during investigation
• Steps taken to remediate the violation

11.3 Appeal Process

If you believe an enforcement action was taken in error, you may appeal by contacting appeals@vardenhomes.com within 14 days of receiving notice. Include your account information, the enforcement action taken, and a detailed explanation of why you believe the action was incorrect.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Acceptable Use Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or industry practices. When we make material changes, we will notify you through the Platform or via email.

Continued use of the service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or need to report a violation: