Terms of Service

Version 1.0 | Effective Date: 22 April 2026

IMPORTANT: These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the SparkHour platform. By creating an account, browsing listings, or making a booking, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use SparkHour. These Terms are governed by the laws of the United Arab Emirates.

1. Introduction

Welcome to SparkHour. SparkHour is an online marketplace operated by SparkHour FZ-LLC ("SparkHour", "we", "us", "our") that connects people looking to book creative and unique spaces on an hourly basis ("Creators") with people offering such spaces ("Studio Hosts").

These Terms form a binding agreement between you and SparkHour FZ-LLC, a Free Zone Limited Liability Company registered under UAE law licensed as a Free Zone (FZ) entity by the Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority (Shams), with its registered office at Sharjah Media City (Shams), Al Messaned, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. SparkHour FZ-LLC is registered for VAT with the UAE Federal Tax Authority.

Additional documents that form part of these Terms:

• SparkHour Privacy Policy
• SparkHour Cancellation & Refund Policy
• SparkHour Community Guidelines
• SparkHour Studio Host Agreement (applies only if you list a Space as a Studio Host)

2. Definitions

• "Platform" — SparkHour website (www.sparkhour.ae), mobile apps, and related services.
• "User" — any person accessing the Platform.
• "Creator" — User who books or seeks to book a Space.
• "Studio Host" — User who lists a Space for booking.
• "Space" — any location, studio, room, or venue listed.
• "Listing" — a Studio Host's public advertisement of a Space.
• "Booking" — a confirmed, paid reservation.
• "Booking Fee" — total amount paid by the Creator.
• "Content" — all material uploaded to the Platform.

3. Eligibility & Account Registration

3.1 Who Can Use SparkHour

You must be at least 18, legally capable of contracting under UAE law, provide accurate registration info, keep credentials confidential, and not be prohibited from using the Platform under UAE or your home country's laws.

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials. Notify us immediately at contact@sparkhour.ae if you suspect unauthorised use.

3.3 One Account Per User

You may maintain only one account. Multiple accounts, sharing, or unauthorised use of another's account may result in suspension/termination.

4. SparkHour's Role as a Marketplace

SparkHour provides an online marketplace only. We are NOT:

• The owner, operator, or manager of any Space;
• A party to the rental contract between Studio Host and Creator;
• Responsible for Listing accuracy, Space condition, or User conduct;
• An insurer, broker, travel agent, real-estate agent, or property manager.

SparkHour acts solely as a booking facilitator and limited payment collection agent on behalf of Studio Hosts.

5. Booking a Space

5.1 Request-to-Book

1. Payment method authorised, not charged;
2. Studio Host has 48 hours (or until Booking start) to accept/decline;
3. On acceptance, you're charged and the Booking is confirmed;
4. No response = request expires, no charge.

5.2 Booking Confirmation Creates a Direct Contract

Once confirmed, a direct contractual relationship exists between you and the Studio Host. The Studio Host grants a limited licence to use the Space for the agreed time and purpose. You must comply with house rules.

5.3 Minimum Booking Duration

Minimum 2 hours on SparkHour. Studio Hosts may set higher.

5.4 Accuracy of Booking Details

You are responsible for accurate booking details (attendees, activity, equipment). Misrepresenting the purpose of a Booking may result in immediate termination without refund.

6. Payments, Fees & Taxes

6.1 Payment Processing

All payments processed by Stripe. SparkHour does not store full payment card details.

6.2 Currency

All prices in AED. Your bank may apply FX fees.

6.3 Creator Service Fee

At the date of these Terms, SparkHour does NOT charge a Creator service fee. The checkout total reflects the Studio Host's rate, add-ons, any additional fee set by the Studio Host, and applicable taxes. SparkHour earns from Studio Host commissions. We reserve the right to introduce a Creator service fee with clear disclosure.

6.4 VAT & Taxes

SparkHour FZ-LLC is registered for VAT with the UAE Federal Tax Authority. Where applicable, VAT is included in the displayed Booking Fee. For VAT purposes, the Studio Host (not SparkHour) is the supplier of the Space; a VAT-registered Studio Host is responsible for issuing you a compliant tax invoice.

6.5 Security Deposits

A Studio Host may require a refundable security deposit displayed before booking confirmation. Held by Stripe; released after the Booking subject to any damage claim under Section 10.

6.6 Overages & Additional Charges

You may be charged for: overtime; exceeding attendee limits; damage; excess cleaning; breach of house rules or these Terms. By booking, you authorise SparkHour to charge such fees to your payment method on file, provided the Studio Host submits a valid claim with evidence within 72 hours.

7. Cancellations & Refunds

7.1 Creator Cancellations

1. Grace Period: within 24 hours of confirmation, full refund (if start is >48 hours away);
2. >48 hours before start: 50% refund;
3. <48 hours before start: non-refundable.

See the full Cancellation & Refund Policy for Flexible, Standard, and Strict Studio Host-selected options.

7.2 Studio Host Cancellations

If the Studio Host cancels, you get 100% refund. SparkHour will help find alternatives but does not guarantee availability.

7.3 SparkHour's Right to Cancel

SparkHour may cancel where the Booking violates these Terms, UAE law, or Community Guidelines, or where there is risk of fraud/harm/reputational damage. Refund determined by SparkHour acting reasonably.

7.4 Refund Processing

Processed through Stripe to original payment method. 5–10 business days to appear.

7.5 Consumer Protection

Nothing in this Section 7 or the Cancellation & Refund Policy excludes or limits any rights you have under UAE Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on Consumer Protection, its Executive Regulations, or any other applicable mandatory consumer-protection law.

8. Creator Obligations

You agree to:

1. Use the Space only for the disclosed purpose and manner;
2. Comply with house rules and UAE laws;
3. Respect the Space, contents, Studio Host's property, and neighbours;
4. Not exceed stated maximum attendees;
5. Arrive/depart on time;
6. Leave the Space in the condition found (reasonable use excepted);
7. Report damage/issues promptly.

9. Prohibited Conduct

You must NOT use SparkHour or any Space to:

• Engage in any activity illegal under UAE law or contrary to UAE public morals;
• Serve or consume alcohol unless the Space is explicitly licensed for it;
• Produce content violating UAE media and publishing laws, cybercrime law (Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021), or the UAE Penal Code;
• Conduct any photography, videography, or content production involving children under 18 without the documented prior written consent of their parent or legal guardian, and in full compliance with the UAE Child Rights Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 3 of 2016);
• Allow overnight residential stays (SparkHour is hourly, non-residential);
• Hold unlicensed parties, gambling, or drug activities;
• Harass, threaten, or discriminate;
• Misrepresent identity, age, or Booking purpose;
• Bypass the Platform to make/receive payments;
• Scrape, reverse-engineer, or interfere with the Platform;
• Infringe third-party IP or privacy rights.

Violations may result in Booking cancellation without refund, account suspension/termination, deposit forfeiture, and referral to UAE authorities.

10. Damages & Disputes

10.1 Responsibility for Damage

As a Creator, you are responsible for damage you or your invitees cause, including ordinary negligence, theft, excess cleaning, and overcapacity damage.

10.2 Dispute Process

1. Studio Host notifies via Platform and submits claim within 72 hours with evidence;
2. You have an opportunity to respond;
3. SparkHour reviews and, acting reasonably, determines release of disputed funds;
4. SparkHour's decision on Platform-held funds is final for Platform purposes but does not prejudice wider legal rights.

10.3 No SparkHour Guarantee

SparkHour does not currently offer a Creator damage protection or liability guarantee scheme. You are encouraged to arrange your own liability insurance for high-value or high-risk Bookings.

11. User Content & Reviews

11.1 Your Content

You retain ownership. By uploading, you grant SparkHour a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sub-licensable licence to use, reproduce, display, and distribute such Content for operating and promoting the Platform.

11.2 Reviews

Must be honest, accurate, and based on actual experience. False, defamatory, or extortionate reviews may be removed and lead to account termination.

11.3 Prohibited Content

No illegal, infringing, defamatory, misleading, sexually explicit, or offensive content under UAE standards.

12. Privacy

Personal data is processed under the SparkHour Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference. Our practices comply with UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 (PDPL). SparkHour has entered into Data Processing Agreements with its service providers and relies on contractual safeguards for cross-border transfers under Article 22 of the PDPL.

13. Intellectual Property

SparkHour name, logo, website design, software, and all related IP are owned by SparkHour FZ-LLC. No copying, modifying, distributing, or creating derivatives without our prior written consent.

14. Third-Party Services

The Platform may link to or integrate with third parties (Stripe, Google Maps, etc.). Their terms govern your use of them. SparkHour not responsible for their content/policies/practices.

15. Disclaimers

To the maximum extent permitted by UAE law:

1. Platform is "as is" and "as available";
2. SparkHour makes no warranties regarding Listings or Space safety/fitness;
3. No warranty of uninterrupted, secure, or error-free service;
4. Your use of any Space is at your own risk.

16. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by UAE law, SparkHour's aggregate liability shall not exceed the greater of (a) AED 500, or (b) total Booking Fees paid in the 3 months preceding the claim.

No liability for indirect, consequential, special, incidental, or punitive damages. Nothing limits liability for gross negligence, wilful misconduct, or liability that cannot be limited under UAE law.

17. Indemnity

You indemnify SparkHour and its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents against any claim, loss, damage, liability, fine, or expense arising from breach of these Terms, Platform/Space misuse, injury/death/property damage, or violation of UAE law or third-party rights.

18. Suspension & Termination

18.1 By You

Close your account anytime via settings. Doesn't affect confirmed Bookings.

18.2 By SparkHour

May suspend/terminate for breach, fraudulent/illegal conduct, or as legally required. Sections 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 19, 20 survive.

19. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

Governed by the federal laws of the United Arab Emirates and the laws of the Emirate of Sharjah. Disputes addressed through good-faith negotiation for 30 days; if unresolved, submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Courts of Sharjah.

20. General Provisions

20.1 Amendments

Material changes: 30 days notice by email/Platform. Continued use = acceptance.

20.2 Notices

To SparkHour: contact@sparkhour.ae. To you: account email.

20.3 Assignment

You may not assign without consent. SparkHour may assign to affiliates or in corporate transactions.

20.4 Entire Agreement

These Terms + Privacy Policy + Cancellation Policy + Community Guidelines + Studio Host Agreement = entire agreement.

20.5 Severability

Unenforceable provisions don't affect the rest.

20.6 Language

English prevails between parties. Where UAE law mandates Arabic in proceedings before UAE courts or authorities, the Arabic version submitted shall govern those proceedings only.

20.7 Contact

Questions? contact@sparkhour.ae