Terms and Conditions

1. Bookings

• Complete the online booking form in full. All fields marked as required must be filled in accurately.
• Minimum booking period is 7 days (one full week). Stays of fewer than 7 days are not accepted through the standard booking process and must be arranged directly with Elacet Homestay.
• Bookings are confirmed only upon receipt of a completed booking form and the required deposit payment. No placement will be made before both conditions are met.
• A one-time, non-refundable placement and administration fee of USD $40 applies to all bookings. This fee covers the cost of matching, vetting, and placement work completed regardless of whether the booking proceeds.
• All guests must declare any special requests, dietary requirements, or health conditions at the time of booking. Elacet Homestay cannot guarantee accommodation of undisclosed needs.
• Guests must confirm their arrival date at least two days in advance by telephone, WhatsApp, or email. Failure to confirm may result in the booking being released without refund of the placement fee.
• Extensions beyond the original departure date are permitted with a minimum of one week's prior written notice to Elacet Homestay, subject to host family availability. Payments continue on a weekly basis.

2. Deposits and Payment

• A deposit of 50% of the total booking cost is required to confirm any booking.
• The remaining balance for the full agreed stay is due before you are introduced to your host family. No guest will be placed with a host family until the full balance has been received.
• Accepted payment methods are MTN Mobile Money and MoneyGram. Cash on arrival is accepted for any outstanding balance only, and must be paid in full before 5:00 pm EAT on the day of arrival.
• Airport transfer fees ($45 per trip, one way) must be paid in advance via MTN Mobile Money or MoneyGram before the driver is dispatched to Entebbe International Airport. Cash on arrival is not accepted for this service.
• The accommodation fee covers the full agreed stay. No deductions or refunds are issued for days the guest is absent from the host home. The host family's room and meals are reserved for the guest for the entire agreed period.

3. Guest Responsibilities

• Guests must follow all house rules, security guidelines, and reasonable instructions provided by Elacet Homestay and their host family.
• Elacet Homestay accepts no liability for loss or damage to personal property. Guests are strongly advised to obtain travel insurance covering theft, loss, damage, and medical expenses.
• All guests are advised to hold valid health insurance for the full duration of their stay.
• Guests must contact their host family at least two days before arrival to introduce themselves and confirm arrangements.
• Guests must seek permission before using any items belonging to the host family, and are responsible for any keys, access cards, or property issued to them during their stay.
• No guests or outside visitors may be brought into the host home without the prior permission of the host family.
• Elacet Homestay reserves the right to terminate a guest's stay immediately and without refund in cases of serious misconduct, verified complaints from the host family, or behaviour that threatens the safety or well-being of any household member.

4. Pricing

The following rates apply to all standard bookings with Elacet Homestay:

Room Type	Rate
Shared Room (weekly)	$150
Single Room (weekly)	$200
Digital Nomad – Shared Room (monthly)	$480
Digital Nomad – Single Room (monthly)	$640

All rates are per person. Standard rates are weekly. Digital Nomad rates are monthly; minimum booking is one calendar month. Elacet Homestay reserves the right to revise pricing annually in January with reasonable advance notice to affected bookings.

5. Cancellations

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to info@elacet.com. The following refund policy applies to the accommodation deposit:

• 14 or more days before arrival: Full deposit refunded.
• 7 to 13 days before arrival: 50% of the deposit refunded.
• Less than 7 days before arrival or no-show: No refund.
• Verified emergency (medical or flight cancellation beyond the guest's control): The deposit is held as credit toward a future booking. Supporting documentation may be requested.
• The one-time placement and administration fee of USD $40 is non-refundable under all circumstances, including cancellation.
• Airport transfer cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled pickup time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before pickup or no-shows are non-refundable.

6. Host Family Obligations

• Under no circumstances may any member of a host family request money, loans, gifts, or financial assistance from a guest.
• Host families must provide a clean private room with a lockable door, three daily meals, and a genuinely welcoming environment for the full duration of the guest's stay.
• Host families must conduct a welcome orientation for the guest in the first week, including a trip to the local market or supermarket to help the guest settle in.
• Host families approved for Digital Nomad placements must additionally maintain verified WiFi with a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps and upload speed of 3 Mbps, a dedicated desk and power outlet in the guest's room, and a functioning inverter for backup power during outages.
• Elacet Homestay reserves the right to terminate its agreement with any host family upon receipt of a verified complaint. In such cases, the host family must refund a pro-rata fee to Elacet Homestay for the remaining period of the guest's stay.
• All complaints regarding a host family must be reported immediately to Elacet Homestay. A formal complaint form will be completed, and a thorough investigation will be conducted before any decision is made.
• In cases of proven incompatibility between a guest and a host family, Elacet Homestay will arrange a suitable alternative placement where available.

7. Host Family Minimum Standards

All host families must meet the following standards before accepting any guest. Elacet Homestay reserves the right to carry out unannounced inspections. Failure to comply may result in removal from the programme.

• A clean, private sleeping space with a lockable door.
• A functioning bathroom. Hot water availability varies by household and will be confirmed at the time of placement.
• Reliable WiFi with unlimited data throughout the property.
• Working power outlets and backup power or inverter capability.
• A hygienic kitchen and food preparation area.
• A secure perimeter with a gate and fence.
• Mosquito nets or screened windows in all guest bedrooms.
• A basic first-aid kit, which is kept on the premises at all times.
• Clean drinking water available for guests at all times – bottled or boiled water must be provided.
• An electric fan available for guest use, particularly important for guests arriving from cooler climates.
• A safe neighbourhood with accessible public transport links.
• A working mobile number maintained by the host family and available to guests at all times.

8. Limitation of Liability

Elacet Homestay acts solely as a placement coordinator between guests and host families. We are not liable for any injury, illness, loss, or damage arising from a guest's stay. Our maximum liability in any dispute shall not exceed the total accommodation amount paid for the booking in question, excluding the placement fee.

9. Privacy & Data

All personal data collected during the booking process is used solely for the purpose of facilitating your stay. We do not share your information with third parties except where required by law or necessary to arrange your accommodation. By booking with us, you consent to the use of your data for these purposes. A full Privacy Policy can be viewed here.

10. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of Uganda. Any disputes arising from or relating to these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Uganda.