Safety & Disclaimer

GharKhoj is designed to help users discover residential rental properties and connect with property listers more easily.

Finding a home involves important financial, legal, and personal-safety decisions. Property information on GharKhoj is primarily submitted by users, and no online platform can eliminate every risk associated with property listings or interactions between users.

This Safety & Disclaimer page explains important precautions you should take when using GharKhoj.

It should be read together with our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Listing & Content Policy, and other applicable policies.

1. Understand GharKhoj’s Role

GharKhoj primarily provides a technology platform that helps users:

• discover rental-property listings;
• publish properties available for rent;
• search and filter listings;
• contact property listers; and
• communicate regarding potential rental opportunities.

Unless expressly stated otherwise for a particular service, GharKhoj is not:

• the owner of properties listed by users;
• the landlord or tenant;
• a party to rental agreements between users;
• a guarantor of rental transactions;
• a property-inspection authority;
• a title-verification authority;
• a KYC agency;
• a legal adviser; or
• a guarantor of another user’s identity or conduct.

Users remain responsible for independently evaluating properties, people, documents, payments, and rental arrangements.

2. Listings Are User-Generated

Property listings may contain information submitted by property owners, landlords, authorized representatives, or other users. Although GharKhoj may provide reporting and moderation mechanisms, the appearance of a listing on GharKhoj does not automatically mean that GharKhoj has independently verified: ownership, lister's authority, identity, physical existence or condition, accuracy of photographs, rent or deposit amounts, legal title, or regulatory approvals. Always perform your own reasonable verification.

3. “Signed in with Google” Is Not KYC

GharKhoj may allow users to authenticate using Google Sign-In. If an account is shown as “Signed in with Google,” this means only that the account successfully used the supported Google authentication process.

It does not mean that Google or GharKhoj has verified government-issued identity (Aadhaar or PAN), KYC status, ownership, landlord status, authority to rent, background checks, or trustworthiness.

Similarly, a phone number entered into GharKhoj should not be assumed to be OTP-verified unless the platform specifically states that such verification has been completed. Never rely solely on an authentication badge when deciding whether to trust another person or make a payment.

4. Verify the Property Before Paying

Whenever reasonably possible, inspect the property before making a significant payment or commitment. Confirm whether the property exists, whether its location matches, whether the photographs match, its physical condition, utilities, parking, rent, deposit, and occupancy restrictions. Be especially cautious if someone refuses a property visit while demanding money.

5. Verify the Person Offering the Property

Do not assume that someone is the owner merely because they posted a listing. Before entering into a rental agreement or transferring money, take steps to establish their authority to rent. If they claim to act on behalf of an owner, confirm that authority directly with the owner. GharKhoj does not provide legal advice; consider professional legal assistance if there is significant uncertainty.

6. Never Pay Solely to “Unlock” or “Visit” a Property

Be cautious if someone asks for money before allowing you to view a property, meet the owner, schedule a visit, receive photos, or reserve a property. Common scams feature high-pressure phrases like “Pay immediately or someone else will take the room” or “Send a token first, then I will show you.” Urgency combined with requests for advance payment should be treated with caution.

7. GharKhoj Does Not Currently Collect Rental Payments

Unless GharKhoj introduces an official payment feature, GharKhoj does not collect or hold rent, deposits, booking tokens, or brokerage on behalf of users. Verify any such claims. Off-platform UPI, card, or bank transfers are not protected or guaranteed by GharKhoj.

8. Protect Yourself From Payment Scams

Before transferring money, verify the property, person, and terms, and obtain appropriate receipts. Avoid sharing OTPs, banking credentials, UPI PINs, or card details. Legitimate receipt of money does not require disclosing an OTP, PIN, or password.

9. Be Careful With QR Codes and Payment Requests

Fraudsters may misuse QR codes or payment links. Do not scan an unknown QR code or approve a payment request because someone claims it is necessary to receive a refund, confirm a booking, or verify identity.

10. Property Visits and Personal Safety

Visiting unfamiliar properties involves safety considerations. Inspect properties during daytime, inform a trusted friend, avoid carrying large amounts of cash, and leave immediately if a situation appears unsafe. GharKhoj does not supervise physical meetings between users.

11. Do Not Share Unnecessary Sensitive Information

Do not casually send Aadhaar/PAN cards, bank credentials, debit/credit cards, OTPs, or passwords through listings or chat. Understand who is receiving details before sharing documents outside GharKhoj.

12. Use a Proper Rental Agreement

Document rental arrangements properly (e.g. names, rent, duration, deposit, notice period, and utilities). GharKhoj does not provide legal advice; consult a qualified professional for stamp, registration, or tenancy laws.

13. Do Not Rely Only on Photographs

Photographs can be outdated, edited, or digitally altered. A photograph should not replace physical inspection. Our moderation checks listings, but we cannot guarantee that every misleading image is filtered.

14. Beware of Fake Documents

Documents, identity cards, registries, or receipts can be forged. Verify them through independent sources where authenticity is critical.

15. Communicate Carefully

Be cautious if users pressure you to move communication to WhatsApp/SMS instantly, request credentials, demand urgent advance payments, or refuse standard verification.

16. GharKhoj Staff Impersonation

GharKhoj will never contact you demanding your account password, OTP, UPI PIN, bank password, or card PIN. Report any suspected staff impersonation immediately.

17. Report Suspicious Listings

Use our in-app Report tools to report fake, already rented, or incorrect listings. Reports are reviewed but do not substitute for formal law-enforcement complaints.

18. If You Suspect Financial Fraud

If you have been defrauded, contact your bank/UPI provider immediately. Report the details to GharKhoj and contact cybercrime authorities. In India, financial cyberfraud can be reported through the official **National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal** or the helpline **1930**.

19. If You Are in Immediate Danger

If you face an immediate threat to physical safety, contact your local police or emergency numbers. Our platform reporting functions are not emergency response tools.

20. Disputes Between Users

GharKhoj is not the adjudicator of private disputes (regarding rent, deposits, condition, notice, etc.) between landlords and tenants. Resolve them directly or through legal/consumer dispute mechanisms.

21. No Guarantee of User Conduct

Successful sign-in or listings do not guarantee that a user will behave lawfully, fulfill agreements, return deposits, or pay rent. Use independent judgment.

22. No Guarantee of Property Suitability

Evaluate neighborhoods, transportation, building rules, accessibility, and affordability independently. Our filters are discovery helpers, not professional assessments.

23. External Advertisements

Third-party ads (e.g. Google AdMob) are separate from property listings and do not imply endorsement or warranty by GharKhoj.

24. External Links and Services

Be careful before entering credentials or making payments on third-party links, maps, or messaging services. They operate under their own policies.

25. Technical Availability

GharKhoj is provided "as available" and may occasionally experience downtime. Keep independent copies of agreements, messages, and transaction receipts.

26. Moderation Does Not Equal Verification

Moderatation checks do not mean non-removed listings are verified. "Not reported" does not mean "verified," and "Signed in with Google" does not mean "KYC verified."

27. Limitation of This Disclaimer

Nothing in this disclaimer excludes responsibilities that cannot legally be waived under applicable consumer protection, intermediary, or data privacy laws.

28. Safety Information May Change

We update this page to reflect new scam patterns, new features, or changes in legal guidelines. The updated date will indicate revisions.

29. Contact GharKhoj

To report listings, use in-app reporting. For official support and privacy queries:

For emergencies, active cyber fraud, or crime reporting, please report directly to the official police / 1930 cyber crime helpline rather than waiting for GharKhoj support.