Washer Agreement

1. Independent Contractor Status

You acknowledge and agree that you are operating as a self-employed independent contractor. You are not an employee, partner, or agent of Neighbourhood Wash. You are solely responsible for:

• Paying your own income tax and National Insurance contributions.
• Managing your own business expenses, including but not limited to, laundry supplies, equipment maintenance, and transportation.
• Your own work schedule and deciding which bookings to accept.
• Any licenses, permits, or registrations required for your self-employed activity.

2. Service Level Expectations

You commit to providing a high-quality, professional service to all Users, which includes:

• Quality: Performing all Services (washing, drying, ironing, stain removal, hypoallergenic washing) to a high standard, following any reasonable and clearly communicated instructions from the User.
• Hygiene: Using clean, well-maintained domestic equipment (washing machine, dryer, iron) and appropriate, non-damaging, and where specified, hypoallergenic cleaning products. Your home environment where laundry is processed must be clean and hygienic.
• Timeliness & Communication: Being on time for scheduled handovers and communicating professionally and promptly with Users via the in-app chat feature regarding any delays, issues, or questions.
• Care for Garments: Exercising reasonable care in handling all items. You acknowledge that Neighbourhood Wash is not liable for items left in User's pockets that may cause damage to your equipment or the garment itself. Users are responsible for checking their garments.
• Special Services: If offering stain removal or ironing, you must possess the necessary skills and equipment to perform these services effectively and safely.
• Allergies & Sensitivities: You understand and agree to adhere to the Smoke-Free Policy detailed below, and to use hypoallergenic products when requested by a User to accommodate sensitive skin or allergies.

3. Insurance (Crucial)

You acknowledge that Neighbourhood Wash DOES NOT provide any form of public liability or business insurance to Washers. It is your sole responsibility to obtain and maintain adequate insurance to cover potential damages, accidents, or liabilities arising from your provision of Services on the Platform. This includes, but is not limited to, damage to User's property, damage to your own property, personal injury, or any claims arising from the laundry services you provide. We strongly recommend you seek professional advice on appropriate insurance coverage.

4. Financial Agreement

You explicitly agree to the following financial terms:

• The 15% Service Commission that Neighbourhood Wash deducts from the total booking price paid by the User. You acknowledge that this commission rate may change at any time, and we reserve the right to modify it with prior notice.
• The £2.50 Payout Fee for each withdrawal from your earnings wallet. You acknowledge that this payout fee may change at any time, and we reserve the right to modify it with prior notice.
• You acknowledge that all payments will be processed via Stripe Connect, and by creating an account, you agree to Stripe's connected account agreement, which governs their financial services.

5. Tax Responsibility

You are solely responsible for declaring and paying all applicable income tax and National Insurance contributions to HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs) on all earnings received through the Neighbourhood Wash Platform. Neighbourhood Wash will not deduct taxes or contributions on your behalf.

6. Washer Cancellations & Penalties

We understand that cancellations may occasionally be unavoidable. However, to maintain platform reliability and compensate Users and Washers for lost time and opportunity, the following applies:

• Cancellation within 12 hours of the booking slot: If you, the Washer, cancel a booking within 12 hours of the scheduled drop-off time, the User will receive a full and automatic refund. In addition, you will be liable to pay a penalty equivalent to the full price of the cancelled booking, plus an additional penalty fee of £10. This amount will be deducted from your earnings wallet or charged to your linked payment method.
• Repeated Cancellations: A record (or "marker") will be applied to your Washer profile for each cancellation within the 12-hour window. If you accumulate three (3) such markers within a 6-month period, your account status will be reviewed, and you may face temporary suspension or permanent termination from the Platform at our sole discretion.
• Cancellations outside 12 hours: If you cancel a booking more than 12 hours before the scheduled drop-off time, the User will receive a full refund, and no penalty will be applied to your account.

7. Smoke-Free Policy

To ensure the safety and comfort of all Users, particularly those with allergies, all Washers on the Neighbourhood Wash platform must adhere to a strict smoke-free policy within their laundry area and on any equipment used for Services. This means:

• No smoking should occur in the area where laundry is processed or stored.
• Equipment (washing machine, dryer, baskets) must be free from smoke residue.
• The laundry area must be maintained in a smoke-free environment at all times.

Violation of this policy will result in immediate account review and potential termination. This policy is enforced universally across all Washers to ensure a consistent and safe experience for all Users, and is not subject to individual preference.

8. PIN Verification System

You acknowledge and agree to use the dual PIN verification system for all bookings:

• Drop-off PIN: Upon booking confirmation, you must enter the unique Drop-off PIN into your dashboard to confirm receipt of the User's laundry.
• Pick-up PIN: Upon service completion, you must enter the unique Pick-up PIN provided by the User to confirm the service is complete and items have been returned.
• This dual PIN system creates a timestamped, digital chain of custody and serves as confirmation of service completion.
• Verification of the Pick-up PIN triggers the final payment capture.

9. Safe Pick-up and Drop-off

You agree to the following safety and privacy measures:

• Users and Washers may arrange to meet at pre-determined safe pick-up and drop-off points to avoid disclosing personal addresses.
• If direct home pick-up/drop-off is selected, addresses will only be visible to relevant parties during the hour before and after the scheduled booking time.
• You must respect User privacy and not share or misuse any personal information obtained through the Platform.
• All interactions must be conducted professionally and safely.

10. Equipment & Facilities

You acknowledge and agree that:

• You are responsible for providing and maintaining all necessary equipment (washing machine, dryer, iron, etc.) in good working condition.
• Your laundry area must be clean, hygienic, and suitable for processing laundry.
• You must use appropriate, non-damaging cleaning products and follow care instructions provided by Users.
• You are responsible for any damage to your equipment caused by items left in User's clothing.

11. Communication & Support

You agree to:

• Communicate professionally and promptly with Users via the in-app chat feature.
• Respond to User inquiries and concerns in a timely manner.
• Notify Users immediately of any delays, issues, or questions regarding their booking.
• Use the Platform's communication tools for all booking-related communications.

12. Quality Standards & Care

You commit to maintaining high-quality standards:

• Exercise reasonable care in handling all items and follow any specific care instructions provided by Users.
• Use appropriate detergents and cleaning methods for different fabric types.
• Ensure all items are properly cleaned, dried, and prepared for return.
• If offering additional services (ironing, stain removal), ensure you have the necessary skills and equipment.

13. Platform Usage & Compliance

You agree to:

• Use the Platform only for legitimate laundry services and not for any illegal or fraudulent purposes.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date profile information.
• Not attempt to circumvent the Platform by arranging bookings or payments outside of it.
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction.
• Not discriminate against any User based on race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.

14. Termination & Suspension

Neighbourhood Wash reserves the right to:

• Suspend or terminate your account at any time for violations of this agreement or platform policies.
• Review your account status following repeated cancellations or complaints.
• Take appropriate action to protect the safety and integrity of the Platform and its users.
• Modify or discontinue services with prior notice.

15. Limitation of Liability

You acknowledge that:

• Neighbourhood Wash acts as a technology platform and facilitator only.
• We are not liable for any direct or indirect damages arising from your provision of services.
• You are responsible for obtaining appropriate insurance coverage for your activities.
• Our liability is limited to our role as a technology platform.

16. Changes to Agreement

Neighbourhood Wash may modify this agreement from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes, and your continued use of the Platform after such changes will constitute your acceptance of the new terms.

17. Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.