Community Guidelines

The short version

dwella works because people are honest and treat each other decently. These guidelines apply to profiles, listings, photographs, Groups and every message sent through the site.

A women-focused community

dwella is a women-focused community, and access is intended for women. We ask all members to treat each other with respect. If you have a question or concern about eligibility, please contact the dwella team directly rather than raising it with other members.

Treat people with respect

Assume good intent, be polite even when the answer is no, and accept it gracefully when someone says no to you. A short reply is always better than making someone wait.

Be honest about who you are

Use your own name and your own recent photographs. Describe your circumstances, budget and plans accurately. Nobody benefits from a good impression that falls apart at the viewing.

Be accurate about the property

• Advertise only a property you are entitled to advertise.
• Give the real rent, deposit, availability date and what bills include.
• Be clear whether you are offering a tenancy or a licence, and who else lives there.
• Use photographs of the actual room and property, taken recently.
• Take the listing down once it has gone.

Communicate respectfully

Keep conversations on dwella until you are comfortable. Ask questions, answer them honestly and do not pressure anyone to decide quickly.

In dwella Groups

• A Group is a shared space: assume everyone in it can see what you post, and only invite people you are happy to share your search with.
• Keep budgets, move dates and requirements honest, because other members plan around them.
• Vote on saved properties genuinely, and disagree kindly. Nobody has to justify a no.
• Do not share another member's messages, photographs or contact details into a Group, or from a Group to anyone outside it.
• If you leave a Group, do so cleanly and let the others know where you stand so they can carry on.

No harassment or bullying

Threats, intimidation, insults, repeated unwanted contact and pile-ons are not allowed, in messages or in Groups. If someone has asked you to stop contacting them, stop.

No discrimination or hateful behaviour

Content that demeans or excludes people because of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other protected characteristic is not allowed, in profiles, listings, Groups or messages.

No sexual harassment or inappropriate content

Sexual comments, images or propositions that have not been invited are never acceptable. Offering accommodation in exchange for sex, company or any personal service is strictly prohibited and will result in removal.

No spam or unsolicited promotion

Do not use dwella to advertise unrelated services, recruit for anything, or send bulk identical messages.

No scams or fraud

Fake listings, fake photographs, false identities and any attempt to obtain money or documents by deception will result in immediate removal, and we may report it to the authorities.

Requests for money

Never send money, a deposit or a holding fee to secure a property you have not seen and cannot verify. dwella does not handle payments and will never ask you for money for a property. Treat any pressure to pay quickly, or to pay by bank transfer to a private individual before viewing, as a warning sign and report it.

Viewing safety

• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
• Consider taking someone with you, or use the share-my-viewing option.
• Meet in daylight where you can, and keep your phone charged.
• Leave if anything feels wrong. You never owe anyone an explanation.

Respect boundaries

People share personal information at their own pace. Do not push for a phone number, social media, an address or an in-person meeting before someone is ready.

Privacy and other people's information

Do not share anyone's messages, photographs, contact details, address or personal circumstances outside dwella without their permission. That includes a property's private address details shared with you for a viewing. If you live with others, do not post information about them without asking.

Photographs

Use photographs you took or have the right to use. Do not post images of other people without their consent, or images that are sexual, graphic or misleading.

No impersonation or fake accounts

One account per person, in your own name. Do not create an account pretending to be someone else, or return under a new account after being removed.

Reporting

Every profile, listing and conversation has a report option, you can block a member, and you can also contact us directly. Tell us what happened and include anything that will help us look into it. Reports are treated confidentially.

What happens when guidelines are breached

• We may remove or edit content that breaches these guidelines.
• We may give a warning where something looks like a genuine misunderstanding.
• We may restrict features, suspend an account, or remove it permanently.
• Serious cases, including fraud, threats and sexual harassment, lead to immediate removal.
• Where there is a risk to someone's safety we may contact the relevant authorities.

If you have a safety concern

Report it through the site or contact us. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services first.