Privacy Policy

DormFinder.app helps students and renters discover verified student housing near universities, compare listings, request visits, contact owners, and browse roommate profiles. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.

This policy applies to the DormFinder website, related web app features, and any Android app wrapper distributed through Google Play or other channels.

We collect information you provide directly, information generated when you use DormFinder features, and limited technical information needed to operate and secure the service.

The information we collect depends on whether you are browsing as a guest, creating a student/customer account, managing an owner account, submitting inquiries, requesting visits, creating roommate profiles, or using admin tools.

When you create an account, we may collect your name, email address, password hash, role, account status, and basic timestamps. Passwords are hashed before storage; we do not store plain-text passwords.

DormFinder supports student/customer accounts, owner accounts, and admin accounts. Public sign-up does not allow users to create admin accounts.

Owners and property managers may submit listing details such as listing title, property type, city, neighborhood, room options, prices, amenities, rules, safety notes, availability, location links, and uploaded photos.

DormFinder may review submitted listings before publication. Public pages show only listings that are approved or published. Exact private addresses should not be exposed publicly unless intentionally designed for a safe public display.

When you submit an inquiry or visit request, we may collect your name, email, phone or WhatsApp number if provided, preferred room option, message, visit timing, and the related listing.

This information is used so DormFinder, admins, and the relevant listing owner can review and respond to your request.

If you create a roommate profile, we may collect profile details such as university, city, budget range, gender, preferred roommate gender, room type, move-in date, stay duration, smoking preference, lifestyle, cleanliness, study schedule, bio, WhatsApp number, and contact email.

Roommate profiles require admin review before publication. Public roommate pages should not expose private contact details unless DormFinder intentionally adds a safe contact workflow.

DormFinder allows authorized users to upload images such as property photos, university logos, university card backgrounds, and hero/banner images. Uploaded files may be resized, compressed, stored, and served from our hosting infrastructure.

Do not upload images containing sensitive personal documents, private addresses, or content you do not have permission to use.

Listings and universities may include location-related information such as city, neighborhood, approximate coordinates, and Google Maps links. These links help users understand where a property or campus is located.

DormFinder may use OpenRouteService to calculate approximate walking and driving distances between properties and nearby universities. Google Maps links open Google services in a separate tab or app and are subject to Google's own policies.

DormFinder includes favorites and listing comparison features. For guest users, selected favorite and compare listings may be stored in browser localStorage on your device.

Local storage data stays in your browser unless you clear it, switch browsers/devices, or DormFinder later adds account-based syncing.

If you contact DormFinder through forms, email, or the WhatsApp help button, we may receive the content of your message and contact details you choose to provide.

The WhatsApp button opens a user-initiated chat with DormFinder. WhatsApp is a third-party service and handles messages according to its own privacy practices.

If you choose to enable app notifications, DormFinder may collect and store a device push token, platform type, app version, notification preferences, and delivery logs. Push tokens are used only to send DormFinder-related notifications to your device.

Notifications may include targeted updates such as new inquiries, visit requests, listing review decisions, roommate profile review decisions, and admin test notifications. You can disable notifications in your device settings or in DormFinder notification preferences where available.

DormFinder does not store Firebase Admin credentials in the public app. Push delivery is handled through Firebase Cloud Messaging and, for iOS, Apple's push notification infrastructure as configured through Firebase.

We use information to operate DormFinder, provide student housing search and comparison features, manage accounts, process inquiries and visit requests, review listings and roommate profiles, send requested or account-related notifications, improve safety and trust, calculate distances, respond to support requests, prevent misuse, and maintain the service.

We may also use aggregated or non-identifying information to understand platform usage and improve product quality.

When a user sends an inquiry or visit request for a listing, DormFinder may make that request available to the owner or manager of that listing and to DormFinder admins.

Owners should use inquiry and visit request data only to respond to housing-related requests, arrange visits, answer questions, and manage legitimate rental communication.

We do not sell personal information. We may share information with service providers that help us host, store, secure, operate, or support DormFinder.

We may also disclose information if required by law, to protect users and the service, to investigate abuse, or in connection with a business transfer such as a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

DormFinder may use Railway for hosting and database infrastructure, Firebase Cloud Messaging for push notifications, Apple push notification infrastructure for iOS delivery, OpenRouteService for route and distance calculations, Google Maps links for map and location viewing, WhatsApp for user-initiated support/contact, and Google Play if the Android app is distributed there.

These services may process information according to their own terms and privacy policies. DormFinder does not control third-party services once you leave our website or app.

DormFinder may use cookies or similar technologies for authentication, session management, security, and basic app functionality.

We may use browser localStorage for guest favorites and compare lists. The native app may also store operating-system-managed notification permission state. You can clear cookies and localStorage through your browser settings, but some features may stop working or reset.

We keep information for as long as needed to provide DormFinder, maintain records, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, prevent abuse, and support platform operations.

Some information may remain in backups or logs for a limited time after deletion from active systems.

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information, including environment-based secrets, hashed passwords, access controls, and admin-only review tools.

No online service can guarantee complete security. Please use a strong password and avoid sharing sensitive personal information unnecessarily.

You may contact DormFinder to request access, correction, deletion, or review of personal information associated with your account or submissions, subject to identity verification and applicable legal requirements.

You can also clear guest favorites and compare data by clearing your browser localStorage. You can turn off push notifications through DormFinder notification preferences where available or through your Android/iOS device notification settings.

DormFinder is intended for university students, renters, property owners, and related adults. It is not directed to children under 13.

If you are a minor in your jurisdiction, use DormFinder only with guidance from a parent, guardian, or responsible adult where required.

DormFinder may be accessed from different countries. Information may be processed and stored in countries where our service providers operate.

By using DormFinder, you understand that information may be transferred and processed outside your country of residence, subject to applicable law.

We may update this Privacy Policy as DormFinder evolves. When we make material changes, we will update the effective date and, when appropriate, provide additional notice.

Your continued use of DormFinder after an update means the revised policy applies.

For privacy questions, requests, or concerns, contact DormFinder at support@dormfinder.app.

Website: https://www.dormfinder.app