Legal
Terms of use
Effective 5 October 2026 · Version hostmeals-2026-10
These Terms of Use (the "Platform Terms") govern access to and use of the websites, applications, and related services operated by HostMeals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nink Inc. (collectively, "HostMeals," "we," "us," or "our"), including www.hostmeals.com (the "Platform").
HostMeals is a marketplace platform. We help people discover and arrange neighbour meals and informal cooking experiences offered by independent hosts ("Hosts") to guests ("Guests"). HostMeals does not operate restaurants, does not prepare or serve food, does not employ Hosts as food-service staff, and is not a party to the agreement formed between a Host and a Guest for any meal or experience.
1. Separate agreements
- If you apply to host or list meals, you also agree to the Host Terms & Conditions.
- If you create an account, request a seat, or attend a meal as a Guest, you also agree to the Guest Terms & Conditions.
- Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle personal information.
In the event of a conflict between these Platform Terms and the Host Terms or Guest Terms on a subject specific to hosting or attending meals, the Host Terms or Guest Terms control for that subject.
2. Role of the Platform
You acknowledge and agree that:
- HostMeals provides technology and listing tools that enable Hosts and Guests to find each other and communicate about meals;
- HostMeals does not own, control, offer, manage, inspect, or supervise any Host's home, kitchen, food, utensils, premises, or conduct;
- HostMeals does not guarantee the quality, safety, legality, truthfulness, or suitability of any listing, Host, Guest, meal, recipe, or interaction;
- any contract for a meal or experience is solely between the Host and the Guest (and any accompanying diners for whom the Guest is responsible); and
- HostMeals is not a restaurant, caterer, food manufacturer, insurer, employer of Hosts, real-estate broker, or agent for either party except as expressly stated in writing for payment facilitation (if and when payments are enabled).
- whether cooking for guests is allowed at a given address, and whether any licence, permit, or inspection applies there, is decided by the Host — not by us. We do not check which food and permit rules apply at a Host's address; see the Host Terms and Guest Terms for who carries which responsibility when something goes wrong with a meal.
3. Eligibility
You must be at least the age of majority in your jurisdiction (and at least 18) to create an account, host, or book. You represent that information you provide is accurate and that you will keep it updated.
4. Accounts and acceptable use
You are responsible for activity under your account. You must not misuse the Platform, including by harassing others, posting unlawful or misleading content, scraping, circumventing security, or using the Platform to arrange activities that violate law. We may refuse, suspend, or terminate access at our discretion, including for safety, fraud, or policy concerns.
5. Listings, addresses, and content
Public pages show approximate neighbourhood or map areas only. Exact street addresses, if collected, are intended to remain private until a booking is confirmed under our processes. You grant HostMeals a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host and display content you submit (photos, descriptions, reviews) for operating and promoting the Platform. You represent you have rights to that content and that it does not infringe others' rights.
6. Assumption of risk
Home cooking and dining with neighbours involves inherent risks, including foodborne illness, allergic reactions, slips and falls, property damage, theft, interpersonal conflict, and travel to and from a private home. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you assume those risks when you use the Platform or participate in any meal arranged through it. HostMeals does not insure you against those risks unless we expressly state otherwise in a separate written program.
7. Disclaimers
THE PLATFORM AND ALL RELATED CONTENT ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE." TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HOSTMEALS DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR FREE OF HARMFUL COMPONENTS, OR THAT ANY HOST, GUEST, MEAL, OR LISTING WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS OR BE SAFE, LEGAL, OR ACCURATE.
8. Limitation of liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HOSTMEALS AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS, THE PLATFORM, OR ANY INTERACTION WITH A HOST OR GUEST, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, HOSTMEALS IS NOT LIABLE FOR FOOD POISONING OR OTHER ILLNESS; ALLERGIC REACTIONS; INJURY OR DEATH; PROPERTY DAMAGE OR THEFT AT A HOST'S PREMISES OR EN ROUTE; ALTERCATIONS OR OTHER MISCONDUCT BETWEEN USERS; CANCELLATIONS; OR A HOST'S FAILURE TO HOLD REQUIRED PERMITS OR COMPLY WITH HOUSING, ZONING, LANDLORD, OR ASSOCIATION RULES.
EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED, OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PLATFORM OR THESE TERMS WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID TO HOSTMEALS (IF ANY) FOR THE TRANSACTION GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM, OR (B) CAD $100.
THE CAP AND EXCLUSIONS ABOVE APPLY ONLY TO THE EXTENT THE LAW ALLOWS. THEY DO NOT LIMIT LIABILITY THAT THE LAW SAYS CANNOT BE LIMITED OR EXCLUDED.
9. Indemnity
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless HostMeals and its affiliates and personnel from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your use of the Platform; (b) your breach of these Terms or the Host or Guest Terms; (c) your content; (d) your interaction with any Host or Guest; or (e) your violation of law or third-party rights.
10. Governing law and disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. Subject to any mandatory consumer protections that cannot be waived, courts in Toronto, Ontario will have exclusive jurisdiction, except that HostMeals may seek injunctive relief in any jurisdiction.
If you use the Platform as a business (and not as a consumer), you agree to bring any claim against HostMeals only on your own behalf — not as a plaintiff or class member in a class action — and, if we ask, to have the claim decided by a single arbitrator instead of a court.
If you are a consumer, nothing in these Terms takes away the protections of the consumer laws that apply where you live — including in Canada, the United Kingdom, or the European Union — and you may still bring a claim in the courts of your home place if those laws say so.
11. Payments on the Platform
Day-one HostMeals bookings use card payment through the Platform after host approval (see Payments & cancellations). Cash or personal transfer is not a supported day-one product payment method. If a Host and Guest later settle something off-platform, these Terms may still apply to the relationship that began on HostMeals, but HostMeals does not process that payment.
12. Changes
We may update these Terms by posting a revised version on the Platform. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance. Material changes to Host or Guest obligations may also be presented at application, signup, or booking.
13. Contact
Questions about these Terms: support@hostmeals.com.