Community Guidelines

Version 2.0 | Effective Date: 22 April 2026

SparkHour is a community. Every Studio Host and Creator using SparkHour agrees to follow these Community Guidelines. They sit alongside the Terms of Service, the Studio Host Agreement, and the Cancellation & Refund Policy — and they apply to everyone, every booking, every time.

1. Our Community Values

SparkHour operates in the UAE — a country known for hospitality, respect, and high standards of conduct. We've built our community around four core values:

Respect

Treat every Studio Host, Creator, and neighbour as you would want to be treated. Respect local culture, religious sensitivities, and the people around the Space.

Honesty

Be truthful about who you are, why you're booking, and what condition the Space is in.

Safety

Keep yourself, your attendees, the Studio Host's property, and the surrounding community safe. If something feels unsafe, speak up.

Care

Leave Spaces as you found them. Take care of people — especially vulnerable ones. Behave in a way that reflects well on yourself and SparkHour.

2. Who These Guidelines Apply To

• All Studio Hosts listing Spaces
• All Creators booking Spaces
• All invitees, attendees, crew, clients, or service providers brought by a Creator
• Anyone communicating through SparkHour messaging

3. What We Expect From Studio Hosts

3.1 Accurate Listings

• Post only photos reflecting the current state
• Describe amenities, dimensions, equipment, house rules truthfully
• Keep calendar and pricing current
• Never misrepresent condition, location, or legal status

3.2 Honour Your Bookings

• Respond within 48 hours
• Only accept bookings you can deliver
• Prepare to Listing standard
• Provide clear access instructions 24h in advance
• Be reachable during the Booking

3.3 Be Safe & Lawful

• Keep Space safe and working
• Ensure you have legal right to rent (licenses, landlord permissions, municipality/DED/Free Zone approvals)
• Don't list Spaces breaching UAE law, tenancy, or building bylaws
• Never ask Creators to bypass SparkHour for payment

3.4 Respect Creators

• Communicate professionally
• Don't discriminate based on nationality, religion, gender, or any protected ground
• Respect Creator's privacy during Booking
• Don't install undisclosed recording devices in private areas

4. What We Expect From Creators

4.1 Honest Booking

• Book for the purpose disclosed
• Disclose actual attendee count
• Disclose significant activities (cooking, loud music, smoke machines, live animals)
• Don't book a photography studio for a birthday party

4.2 Use the Space Responsibly

• Follow house rules
• Arrive and leave on time
• Don't exceed attendee maximum
• Don't move or damage furniture, equipment, fixtures
• Leave the Space clean
• Report accidental damage immediately

4.3 Respect the Neighbourhood

• Reasonable noise, especially in residential buildings
• Don't block access, lifts, parking
• Courteous to neighbours, building staff, other tenants
• No indoor smoking unless explicitly designated

5. Strictly Prohibited — UAE Law & SparkHour Standards

Violations may result in immediate Booking cancellation, account termination, deposit forfeiture, and referral to UAE authorities.

5.1 Illegal Activity

• Any activity illegal under UAE federal or emirate-level law
• Drug use, possession, sale
• Unlicensed commercial activity
• Prostitution or trafficking of any kind
• Gambling (outside properly licensed venues)
• Alcohol in a Space not licensed for it
• Overnight residential stays (SparkHour is strictly hourly, non-residential)

5.2 Content That Violates UAE Law

Prohibited content includes:

• Nudity or sexually explicit material
• Content offensive to Islam or other religions
• Content insulting the UAE, its rulers, symbols, institutions
• Defamation, incitement to hatred/discrimination, promotion of violence
• Content violating the UAE Cybercrime Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021), Media Regulation Law, or Penal Code

If uncertain about UAE law compliance, consult a UAE lawyer BEFORE booking — don't test the limits.

5.3 Child Safety & Minors

The safety, dignity, and welfare of children are paramount to SparkHour. We align our approach with the UAE Child Rights Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 3 of 2016, "Wadeema's Law") and with leading international hospitality standards. These rules are non-negotiable.

5.3.1 No Unaccompanied Minors

• SparkHour accounts are strictly for Users aged 18 and over. You must not create an account, make a Booking, or list a Space if you are under 18.
• Minors (under 18) must not attend a Booking unless an adult (18+) is present AND that adult is a parent, legal guardian, or a person with documented written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
• Studio Hosts must not permit minors to be on-site without the required adult supervision.
• If a Studio Host becomes aware that minors are present without adult supervision, the Studio Host must (a) contact the booking Creator immediately, and (b) if not immediately resolved, contact SparkHour and — where a child's safety is at risk — UAE authorities (police: 999).

5.3.2 Photography, Videography & Content Involving Minors

• Any commercial or public-facing photography, videography, or content production involving a minor requires the documented prior written consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian, recorded before the shoot begins.
• A parent or legal guardian must be physically present throughout any shoot involving a minor.
• The content must comply with the UAE Child Rights Law, the UAE Penal Code, and all UAE media and advertising regulations.
• Content that sexualises, objectifies, endangers, exploits, or publicly identifies a child without proper consent is absolutely prohibited and will be reported to UAE authorities.

5.3.3 Spaces Used for Children's Activities

If a Studio Host markets a Space for activities likely to involve children (children's photography studios, kids' party venues, family shoot locations), the Studio Host must:

• State this clearly in the Listing
• Ensure the Space is safe for children (no exposed wiring, secure furniture, no hazardous materials accessible, appropriate temperature and ventilation)
• Be aware that additional UAE regulatory approvals may be required (Ministry of Community Development, local authorities)

5.3.4 Zero Tolerance

SparkHour has ZERO tolerance for any content, conduct, or communication that sexualises, endangers, or exploits children. Reports of suspected child abuse material or child endangerment will be actioned immediately, the account terminated without refund, and the matter reported to UAE law enforcement.

5.4 Violence, Weapons & Dangerous Materials

• No firearms, knives (other than standard kitchen knives in kitchen Spaces), or other weapons
• No explosives, pyrotechnics, or fireworks without Studio Host's written permission AND UAE Civil Defence approvals
• No hazardous chemicals, flammable liquids in ordinary quantities, or radioactive materials
• No acts or threats of violence

5.5 Harassment & Discrimination

• Harassment of Studio Hosts, Creators, attendees, neighbours, staff
• Discrimination (nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, or any protected status)
• Threats, stalking, intimidation
• Doxxing (sharing private information without consent)

5.6 Fraud & Abuse of the Platform

• Fake accounts or impersonation
• Fake reviews (writing, soliciting, or trading)
• Review extortion
• Off-platform booking bypass
• Chargeback abuse or fraudulent disputes
• Scraping, search ranking manipulation, or interfering with systems

5.7 Health & Safety Risks

• Operating with known safety defects
• Exceeding Civil Defence occupancy limits
• Disabling fire safety systems
• Obstructing fire exits
• Failing to report injuries or serious incidents

6. Reviews & Ratings

• Honest, actual experience
• No reviews for Spaces you haven't used or Bookings you haven't hosted
• No abuse, defamation, or private information disclosure
• No advertising other services/platforms
• No trading, soliciting, or incentivising reviews

Violations may result in review removal and account suspension.

7. Messaging

Use SparkHour messaging for booking coordination, questions, issue resolution. Do NOT:

• Send spam, promotional content, or solicitations
• Share external contact details before Booking confirmation
• Send explicit, threatening, or abusive content
• Solicit off-platform payments

8. How We Enforce These Guidelines

Depending on severity, we may:

• Send a warning
• Remove content or Listings
• Cancel a Booking
• Withhold or reverse a payout
• Suspend the account temporarily
• Permanently terminate the account
• Report to UAE authorities
• Pursue legal action

Serious violations — especially safety, fraud, or child welfare — generally result in immediate termination without warning.

9. How to Report a Violation

1. Immediate danger or criminal conduct: call UAE Police on 999
2. SparkHour-related issues: contact@sparkhour.ae with Booking ID, account, description
3. Privacy violations: privacy@sparkhour.ae
4. Reports are confidential; reporter's identity not disclosed without consent, save where required by law

10. Appeals

1. Reply to enforcement email within 14 days
2. Provide new evidence or context
3. A different SparkHour team member will review and respond within 7 business days

11. Updates to These Guidelines

SparkHour may update these Guidelines as the community grows and UAE law evolves. Material changes announced through the Platform and by email. Continued use after effective date = acceptance.

12. Governing Law

Governed by the federal laws of the United Arab Emirates and the laws of the Emirate of Sharjah. Exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Courts of Sharjah.

13. Thank You

Thank you for being part of the SparkHour community. When everyone plays by the same rules, everyone benefits — Creators get reliable, safe Spaces; Studio Hosts get respectful, trustworthy Creators; and the UAE's creative community grows stronger.

SparkHour — Creative spaces. By the hour. With respect.