Terms of Service

Last updated: March 21, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using RateMyCrib ("the Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

2. Description of Service

RateMyCrib is a student-powered platform for reviewing off-campus housing, landlords, and properties near the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Service allows users to submit reviews, view reviews submitted by others, and compare housing options.

3. User-Generated Content

Users may submit reviews, ratings, and other content ("User Content"). By submitting User Content, you grant RateMyCrib a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, display, reproduce, modify, and distribute your User Content in connection with the Service. You retain ownership of your User Content but grant us the right to use it on the platform.

You represent that your User Content is truthful, based on your genuine experience, and does not contain defamatory, fraudulent, or misleading statements. You are solely responsible for the content of your reviews.

4. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to: submit fake or fraudulent reviews; impersonate another person; use the Service to harass, threaten, or defame any individual or entity; attempt to access, tamper with, or use non-public areas of the Service; scrape, copy, or reproduce the content of the Service without written permission; use automated means (bots, crawlers, scrapers) to access the Service; or attempt to reverse-engineer any aspect of the Service.

5. Intellectual Property

The RateMyCrib name, logo, design, and all associated branding are the exclusive property of RateMyCrib and may not be used without prior written consent. The compilation, organization, and presentation of data on the Service is protected by copyright.

You may not copy, reproduce, scrape, or redistribute the reviews, ratings, or data presented on the Service for commercial purposes without written permission from RateMyCrib.

6. Section 230 Safe Harbor

RateMyCrib is a platform for user-generated content and is protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (47 U.S.C. § 230). RateMyCrib does not create, author, or endorse any User Content. Reviews reflect the personal opinions and experiences of individual users. RateMyCrib is not the publisher or speaker of any User Content and shall not be treated as such.

RateMyCrib reserves the right, but has no obligation, to monitor, edit, or remove User Content at its sole discretion. The exercise or non-exercise of this right does not constitute editorial control over User Content.

7. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. RateMyCrib does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any User Content or information on the Service. Housing decisions should be based on your own research and due diligence.

8. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, RateMyCrib and its operators shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages resulting from your use of the Service, including but not limited to housing decisions made based on information found on the Service. In no event shall RateMyCrib's total liability exceed the amount you have paid to RateMyCrib in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim, or fifty dollars ($50), whichever is greater.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless RateMyCrib, its operators, affiliates, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your use of the Service; (b) your User Content; (c) your violation of these Terms; or (d) your violation of any third-party rights.

10. DMCA and Content Removal

If you believe content on the Service infringes your rights, contact us at ratemycrib@proton.me with a description of the content and the basis for your claim. We will review and respond to legitimate requests.

For landlords: if you believe a review is factually inaccurate and defamatory, you may submit a detailed dispute to ratemycrib@proton.me. We will review the claim but are under no obligation to remove reviews that reflect genuine user opinions and experiences.

11. Monetization and Paid Features

RateMyCrib may offer paid features, premium reports, or other monetized services. All payments are non-refundable unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability of paid features may change at any time.

12. Data and Privacy

Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy. By using the Service, you consent to the collection and use of information as described in the Privacy Policy.

13. Modifications to Terms

RateMyCrib reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

14. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at any time, for any reason, without notice. All provisions of these Terms that should survive termination shall survive, including but not limited to Sections 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 15.

15. Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, the dispute shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, with arbitration taking place in Champaign County, Illinois. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding. You agree that any arbitration shall be conducted on an individual basis and not as a class action.

Notwithstanding the above, either party may seek injunctive or equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement of intellectual property rights.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to conflict of law principles. To the extent litigation is permitted under these Terms, it shall be conducted in the state or federal courts located in Champaign County, Illinois.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and RateMyCrib regarding the Service.

19. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Email us at ratemycrib@proton.me.