Community Guidelines

Last updated: November 28, 2025

These Community Guidelines ("Guidelines") establish the standards of conduct and participation for all users of KIKS Vacation Rentals ("KIKS," "we," "us"). By using our platform, you agree to uphold these standards and contribute to a respectful, trustworthy community for hosts and guests.

1. Code of Conduct

1.1 Respect and Courtesy

All users must treat one another with respect, dignity, and courtesy. This applies to all interactions on the platform, including messages, reviews, and support communications.

  • Use respectful language and tone in all communications
  • Respect cultural differences and varying perspectives
  • Address disagreements professionally and constructively
  • Respond to messages and inquiries in a timely manner

1.2 Honesty and Transparency

Truthful and accurate information is essential to building trust in our community:

  • Provide accurate and current property descriptions, photos, and amenities
  • Disclose all relevant information that may affect a guest's decision to book
  • Be honest about property condition, location, and any limitations
  • Do not misrepresent yourself, your property, or your intentions
  • Report issues or concerns truthfully and promptly

1.3 Non-Discrimination

KIKS is committed to fostering an inclusive community. Discrimination is strictly prohibited:

  • Do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, or age
  • Welcome all guests who meet your property's stated occupancy and house rules
  • Treat all users fairly and equally in all platform interactions
  • Report any discriminatory behavior you experience or witness

Violations of this policy may result in immediate account suspension or termination and may be reported to relevant authorities where required by law.

2. Review Policies

2.1 Review Integrity

Reviews are a cornerstone of our community's trust. All reviews must be:

  • Based on genuine, first-hand experiences with the property or guest
  • Honest, accurate, and reflect your actual experience
  • Relevant to the booking and stay
  • Free from conflicts of interest or manipulation

2.2 Prohibited Review Content

Reviews must not contain:

  • Profanity, hate speech, slurs, or discriminatory language
  • Personal attacks, threats, or harassment
  • Personally identifiable information (full names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses)
  • Spam, promotional content, or external links
  • Content unrelated to the booking experience
  • False or misleading statements
  • Extortion attempts or demands for compensation in exchange for reviews

2.3 Review Timing and Editing

  • Reviews can be submitted within 14 days after checkout
  • Both host and guest reviews are published simultaneously to ensure fairness
  • Reviews cannot be edited or deleted after submission
  • KIKS may remove reviews that violate these guidelines after investigation

2.4 Responding to Reviews

Hosts may respond publicly to guest reviews within 30 days. Responses should be:

  • Professional, courteous, and constructive
  • Focused on addressing concerns or providing context
  • Free from personal attacks or defensive language
  • Used to demonstrate accountability and commitment to improvement

3. Content Moderation

3.1 Prohibited Content

The following content is strictly prohibited on the KIKS platform:

  • Illegal content or content promoting illegal activities
  • Violent, graphic, or sexually explicit material
  • Hate speech, harassment, or threatening language
  • Content that infringes on intellectual property rights
  • Malware, viruses, or malicious code
  • Spam, phishing attempts, or fraudulent content
  • Misleading or deceptive information

3.2 Photo and Media Standards

Property photos and media must:

  • Accurately represent the current state of the property
  • Be high quality, well-lit, and in focus
  • Show the actual property being listed, not stock photos or other properties
  • Not contain watermarks, borders, or promotional text overlays
  • Not include people unless they have consented to being photographed
  • Be appropriate and professional

3.3 Reporting and Enforcement

KIKS reviews reported content and takes action as necessary:

  • Users can report content that violates these guidelines via the report button or by contacting support
  • KIKS reviews all reports within 48-72 hours
  • Violating content will be removed and users may receive warnings
  • Repeated or severe violations may result in account suspension or termination
  • KIKS reserves the right to remove content at our discretion to maintain platform integrity

4. Communication Standards

4.1 Platform Communications

All booking-related communications should occur through the KIKS messaging system:

  • Keep conversations on-platform for security and record-keeping
  • Do not request or share contact information before a booking is confirmed
  • Do not attempt to circumvent KIKS by booking or paying outside the platform
  • Respond to inquiries within 24 hours when possible

4.2 Professional Communication

  • Use clear, professional language
  • Avoid excessive or harassing messages
  • Respect reasonable response times and time zones
  • Do not send unsolicited promotional or marketing messages

5. Fraud and Security

5.1 Fraudulent Activity

The following activities are strictly prohibited and may result in immediate account termination and legal action:

  • Creating fake accounts or impersonating others
  • Providing false identification or payment information
  • Manipulating reviews or ratings
  • Listing properties you do not own or have authority to rent
  • Double-booking or accepting bookings you cannot honor
  • Payment fraud, chargebacks, or money laundering

5.2 Account Security

  • Keep your login credentials secure and confidential
  • Do not share your account with others
  • Enable two-factor authentication when available
  • Report suspicious activity or security concerns immediately
  • Use strong, unique passwords

6. Enforcement and Appeals

6.1 Violations and Consequences

Violations of these Community Guidelines may result in:

  • Warning notices and educational communications
  • Temporary account restrictions or suspensions
  • Permanent account termination
  • Withholding of payouts pending investigation
  • Cancellation of active bookings
  • Legal action where appropriate

6.2 Appeals Process

If you believe action was taken in error:

  • Submit an appeal to appeals@kiks.com within 14 days
  • Include your account details and a clear explanation of why you believe the decision was incorrect
  • Provide any supporting evidence or documentation
  • KIKS will review and respond within 10 business days
  • Appeal decisions are final

7. Respect for Local Communities

7.1 Good Neighbor Policy

Hosts and guests should be respectful of local communities:

  • Comply with local noise ordinances and quiet hours
  • Follow parking rules and property guidelines
  • Dispose of trash properly and maintain cleanliness
  • Respect neighbors' privacy and property
  • Address neighbor concerns promptly and courteously

7.2 Events and Parties

  • Hosts must clearly state party and event policies in their listings
  • Guests must respect the host's event policy
  • Unauthorized parties or events may result in immediate booking termination without refund
  • Excessive noise complaints or disturbances may lead to account penalties

8. Policy Updates

KIKS reserves the right to update these Community Guidelines at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email and dashboard notification at least 15 days before taking effect. Continued use of the platform after changes indicates acceptance of the updated Guidelines.

9. Contact and Support

For questions about these Community Guidelines or to report violations:

These Community Guidelines are effective as of November 28, 2025 and supersede all prior guidelines. By using KIKS Vacation Rentals, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by these Guidelines. Thank you for helping us maintain a respectful, trustworthy community.