Terms of Service

1. Scope and Related Terms

These Terms apply to everyone who uses the Platform, including people who search for or request party rentals ("Customers") and businesses or individuals who list rentals or services ("Providers").

• Providers are also bound by the Provider Terms. If the Provider Terms conflict with these Terms, the Provider Terms control for the Provider relationship.
• Businesses that use our application programming interface, website widgets, or WordPress plugin under a plan are also bound by the Partner API Terms.
• Our Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice explain how we handle personal information.

2. Our Role: A Marketplace Only

HOPS24 is an online marketplace. Providers list party rentals and related services, for example bounce houses and other inflatables, water slides, concession machines, tables, chairs and tents, sound and lighting equipment, and entertainers. Customers can search those listings and send inquiries to Providers. HOPS24 only provides the Platform and forwards inquiries and messages.

• We are not a party to any rental contract. Any agreement for a rental, delivery, setup, staffing, or purchase (a "Rental Contract") is made directly and only between the Customer and the Provider. Prices, payment, deposits, cancellation, refunds, delivery, setup, takedown, and safety are solely between them.
• No agency or partnership. HOPS24 is not the agent, broker, employer, partner, joint venturer, or representative of any Customer or Provider. Providers are independent businesses and are not our employees or contractors.
• We do not handle payments between Customers and Providers. We do not collect, hold, or pay out rental fees or deposits, and we do not issue refunds for Rental Contracts.
• Prices are set by Providers. Prices and other listing details are provided by Providers. We do not guarantee that they are accurate, complete, current, or available.
• Free for Customers. Searching, comparing, and contacting Providers is free. We charge no booking fees and no commission. Our revenue comes from our separately offered business Partner API.
• Disputes about a Rental Contract (for example payment, damage, no-shows, or cancellations) must be resolved between the Customer and the Provider. We may, at our discretion and if both sides agree, help with communication, but we have no obligation to do so and do not decide such disputes.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a binding contract to use the Platform. The Platform is not directed to children, and children may not create accounts or submit inquiries. If you use the Platform on behalf of a company or other organization, you represent that you are authorized to bind it to these Terms, and "you" includes that organization.

You may not use the Platform if we have previously suspended or terminated your account, or if you are prohibited from doing so under applicable law.

4. Accounts

• Some features require an account. You agree to provide accurate, complete, and current information and to keep it up to date.
• You may register with an email address and password or, where offered, sign in with Google. If you use Google sign-in, Google's terms and privacy policy also apply to that service.
• You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential and for all activity under your account. Notify us promptly at info@hops24.de if you suspect unauthorized use.
• We may refuse, suspend, or limit an account for legitimate reasons, such as security risks, false information, or violations of these Terms (see Section 16).

5. Inquiries, Search Requests, and Communications

• Listings are invitations, not offers. A listing is an invitation to contact the Provider. It is not a binding offer, and submitting an inquiry does not create a reservation or a contract.
• Inquiries. When you send an inquiry (with or without an account), we forward your name, email address, optional phone number, requested date, location, and message to the Provider so that the Provider can contact you directly. A Rental Contract is formed only if you and the Provider expressly agree on terms with each other.
• Inquiries through partner websites. Some third-party websites and apps display HOPS24 listings through our Partner API. If you submit an inquiry there, the partner transmits it to us, we forward it to the Provider, and we send you a confirmation. The partner does not become a party to any Rental Contract and is responsible for its own website or app.
• Search requests. You may post a search request describing what you need. Providers whose delivery area matches your ZIP code are notified and can see your city or town, date, budget, and message, but not your name or email address. If a Provider suggests a listing, we email you the link.
• Checklists. A Provider may invite you to an optional shared checklist to coordinate event details. Using it is voluntary and does not affect your inquiry. Do not upload photos in which other people can be identified.
• Accurate information. You agree to provide truthful information in inquiries, including event date, location, and contact details.
• Support access. Our support staff may view a conversation between a Customer and a Provider only when necessary to handle a complaint, resolve a dispute, or investigate suspected abuse. Each such access is logged. Support posts in a conversation are labeled "HOPS24 Support."

6. IMPORTANT – Rental Equipment and Safety Disclaimer

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. INFLATABLE AMUSEMENT DEVICES, WATER SLIDES, AND OTHER PARTY EQUIPMENT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF THEY ARE NOT PROPERLY SET UP, OPERATED, AND SUPERVISED.

• HOPS24 is not a party to any Rental Contract and does not rent, sell, own, deliver, install, operate, staff, or supervise any equipment or service listed on the Platform.
• HOPS24 does not inspect equipment. We do not inspect, test, certify, or maintain any bounce house, inflatable, water slide, tent, concession machine, electrical equipment, or other item, and we do not vet the qualifications of any operator or entertainer.
• HOPS24 does not operate inflatables. We never set up, anchor, operate, or attend any inflatable amusement device.
• Providers are solely responsible for their equipment and services, including: maintaining appropriate insurance; obtaining and complying with all required licenses, permits, registrations, and inspections; complying with state and local laws and regulations that apply to inflatable amusement devices and other amusement rides (requirements vary significantly from state to state); following manufacturer instructions; safe delivery, anchoring, setup, operation, supervision where they provide it, and takedown; and appropriately screening and staffing their personnel and entertainers.
• Customers are responsible for following all operating and safety instructions provided by the Provider or manufacturer, including limits on the number, age, and size of users, weather and wind restrictions, and rules for water and electricity; for providing a suitable and safe setup location; and for continuous adult supervision of all users, especially children, whenever equipment is in use, unless the Provider has agreed in writing to provide an attendant.
• Verification badges are not a guarantee. Some listings show badges (for example for insurance, a permit or inspection, or a business license). A badge means only that the Provider uploaded a document that our team reviewed at a particular time and that appeared to match the badge description. A badge is not a guarantee, endorsement, certification, or warranty of a Provider's insurance coverage, legal compliance, equipment condition, or safety, and coverage or permits may have changed or lapsed since our review. Ask the Provider directly for current documents, such as a certificate of insurance.
• Assumption of risk. You understand that the use of inflatable amusement devices, water slides, and similar equipment involves inherent risks, including falls, collisions, deflation, wind-related incidents, drowning hazards, electrical hazards, and other injuries. To the fullest extent permitted by law, as between you and HOPS24, you voluntarily assume these risks for yourself and for anyone you allow to use the equipment, and you agree that HOPS24 is not responsible for any injury, death, property damage, or other loss arising from any equipment, service, or Rental Contract of a Provider, subject to the exceptions in Section 14.
• Release. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you release HOPS24 and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from claims, demands, and damages of every kind, known and unknown, arising out of or connected with any dispute with a Provider or another user, or with any equipment, service, or Rental Contract. This release does not apply to claims arising from HOPS24's own willful misconduct, gross negligence, or fraud, to liability for death or bodily injury caused by HOPS24's own negligence, or to the extent a release is not permitted by the law that applies to you.

7. Your Content

• Your responsibility. "User Content" means anything you post or send through the Platform, such as listings, photos, videos, messages, inquiries, reviews, and replies. You are solely responsible for your User Content and represent that you have all rights needed to post it and that it does not violate the law or anyone's rights, including copyright, trademark, privacy, and publicity rights.
• License to us. You keep ownership of your User Content. You grant HOPS24 a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable, and sublicensable license to host, store, reproduce, adapt (for example resize or reformat), display, and distribute your User Content as needed to operate, provide, improve, and promote the Platform, including through the Partner API, website widgets, and our own marketing channels. For Providers, the scope of this license and the partner feed opt-out are described in the Provider Terms.
• Duration. The license ends when you delete the User Content or your account, except (a) to the extent the content has been shared with others who have not deleted it (for example messages already delivered to a Provider), (b) for reviews, which are governed by Section 8, (c) for backup copies retained for a limited time, and (d) where we must retain it by law.
• No endorsement. We do not endorse User Content, and it does not reflect our views. We have no obligation to monitor User Content, but we may review, decline, or remove it as described in these Terms.

8. Reviews

Reviews help Customers make informed decisions. Our review rules are designed to keep reviews honest and are intended to align with the Federal Trade Commission's Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials (16 CFR Part 465).

• Verified inquiries only. You can review a Provider only if you sent an inquiry through HOPS24, the Provider marked that inquiry as a booking, the event date has passed, and you agreed when submitting your inquiry that we may email you a one-time review invitation. One review is possible per booking. Invitation links are valid for 60 days.
• Genuine experience. Reviews must reflect your own honest experience with the Provider. Reviews may not be written by a Provider, its employees, relatives, or anyone acting on its behalf, and may not be written about a competitor.
• No fake reviews. Nobody may write, buy, sell, or procure fake reviews, reviews by people who did not have an actual experience with the Provider, or reviews that misrepresent the reviewer's experience.
• No incentives conditioned on sentiment. Providers may not offer anything of value (such as discounts, refunds, or gifts) in exchange for a review, and in particular may not condition any benefit on a positive review.
• No review suppression. Providers may not use threats, intimidation, or false accusations to prevent or remove a review. Providers cannot hide or delete reviews themselves; they may post one public reply to each review.
• Prohibited content. Reviews may not contain unlawful, harassing, obscene, or discriminatory content, false statements of fact, advertising, or personal information of other people.
• Moderation. We publish the star rating, text, the display name you choose, and the month of the event. The HOPS24 team may hide a review only with a documented reason based on a violation of these Terms or the law. We do not hide reviews because they are negative, and we apply the same rules to positive and negative reviews. Hidden reviews do not count toward the average rating. If you believe a review decision was wrong, contact info@hops24.de.
• Display. Average ratings may also be shown through the Partner API and widgets.

9. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• post false, misleading, or deceptive information, including false pricing, hidden fees, or false or forged insurance certificates, permits, inspection reports, or licenses;
• list or promote equipment or services that are unsafe, recalled, illegal, or not permitted where they are offered;
• harass, threaten, defraud, discriminate against, or otherwise harm other users;
• send spam, chain letters, bulk or automated messages, or unsolicited advertising, or submit inquiries that are automatically generated, fictitious, or made without the knowledge of the person named;
• scrape, crawl, or harvest the Platform. You may not use bots, scrapers, crawlers, or other automated means to access, collect, copy, or index listings, Provider data, availability, reviews, or other content, or build databases from it. The only permitted way to access listing data automatically is our Partner API under its terms. Search engines may crawl public pages in accordance with our robots.txt file for the purpose of displaying search results that link to the Platform;
• circumvent, disable, or interfere with rate limits, access controls, or other security or anti-abuse measures, including by rotating IP addresses or spoofing user agents;
• upload viruses or malicious code, probe or test the vulnerability of our systems, or interfere with the operation of the Platform;
• impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation with anyone;
• post content that infringes intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights, or that is obscene, defamatory, or harmful to minors;
• use the Platform for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms.

10. Our Intellectual Property

The Platform, including its software, design, text, graphics, logos, and the selection, arrangement, and compilation of listing data, is owned by or licensed to HOPS24 and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. "HOPS24" and our logos are our trademarks. Subject to these Terms, we grant you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purpose. If you send us feedback or suggestions, we may use them without obligation to you.

11. Copyright Complaints (DMCA)

We respect intellectual property rights and respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512). If you believe content on the Platform infringes your copyright, send a written notice to our contact for copyright notices (see below) that includes:

1. your physical or electronic signature;
2. identification of the copyrighted work you claim is infringed;
3. identification of the infringing material and information reasonably sufficient for us to locate it (for example the URL);
4. your name, address, telephone number, and email address;
5. a statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and
6. a statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the owner's behalf.

Contact for copyright notices: Immobackup UG, Attn: Copyright Notices, Immobackup UG, Dönhoffstraße 11, 10318 Berlin, Germany, email: info@hops24.de (subject line "Copyright Notice").

If your content was removed and you believe this was a mistake or misidentification, you may send a counter-notice that meets the requirements of 17 U.S.C. § 512(g)(3). We may restore the content unless the complaining party notifies us that it has filed a court action. We will terminate, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts of users who are repeat infringers.

For other complaints about content (for example trademark or privacy issues), contact info@hops24.de.

12. Third-Party Services and Links

The Platform may contain links to, or embedded content from, third-party websites and services, for example video platforms (shown only after you click to load them), map tiles from OpenStreetMap, Google sign-in, and partner websites that display our listings. We do not control and are not responsible for third-party services, and their own terms and privacy policies apply.

13. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE PLATFORM AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HOPS24 DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE.

WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, HOPS24 DOES NOT WARRANT OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION ABOUT (A) ANY PROVIDER, CUSTOMER, LISTING, EQUIPMENT, OR SERVICE, INCLUDING ITS QUALITY, SAFETY, LEGALITY, INSURANCE, OR AVAILABILITY; (B) THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY LISTING, PRICE, REVIEW, OR VERIFICATION BADGE; OR (C) THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE.

Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so some of these exclusions may not apply to you.

14. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:

• HOPS24 AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR THE PLATFORM.
• HOPS24 WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, ARISING OUT OF ANY RENTAL CONTRACT, ANY EQUIPMENT OR SERVICE OFFERED BY A PROVIDER, OR THE CONDUCT OF ANY PROVIDER, CUSTOMER, OR OTHER THIRD PARTY, BECAUSE HOPS24 IS NOT A PARTY TO RENTAL CONTRACTS AND DOES NOT PROVIDE THE EQUIPMENT OR SERVICES LISTED ON THE PLATFORM.

These limitations apply to any theory of liability, whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, even if HOPS24 has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Exceptions. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits HOPS24's liability (a) for willful misconduct or gross negligence, (b) for death or bodily injury caused by HOPS24's own negligence, (c) for fraud, or (d) to the extent liability cannot be excluded or limited under the law that applies to you, including the mandatory consumer protection laws of your state of residence. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages, so some of these limitations may not apply to you.

15. Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless HOPS24 and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or related to (a) your violation of these Terms; (b) your User Content; (c) your violation of any law or the rights of a third party; or (d) your willful misconduct or negligence in connection with a Rental Contract or your interactions with other users. You are not required to indemnify HOPS24 for claims to the extent they are caused by HOPS24's own breach, negligence, or willful misconduct. We may assume the exclusive defense of any matter subject to indemnification, and you agree to cooperate with our defense.

16. Suspension and Termination

• You may stop using the Platform at any time and may request deletion of your account in your account settings or by contacting info@hops24.de.
• We may remove content, restrict features, or suspend or terminate your account if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms or the law, created risk or possible legal exposure for us or others, or if required to do so by law. Where feasible and appropriate, we will first warn you and give you a chance to fix the problem. In serious cases, such as fraud, forged safety documents, dangerous listings, or content harmful to minors, we may act immediately and without prior notice.
• If you believe a moderation decision about your content or account was wrong, you may ask us to review it by contacting info@hops24.de within six months. We will review your request and tell you the result.
• Suspension or termination does not affect any Rental Contract already made between a Customer and a Provider; they remain responsible for performing, changing, or ending it.
• Sections that by their nature should survive termination (including Sections 6, 7, 8, 10, and 13 through 21) will survive.

17. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

Governing law. These Terms and any dispute arising out of or related to them or the Platform are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, excluding its conflict-of-law rules and the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). If you use the Platform as a consumer, this choice of law does not deprive you of the protection of the mandatory laws of the U.S. state in which you reside, including its consumer protection laws; those laws continue to apply to you.

Informal resolution first. Before filing a claim against HOPS24, please contact us at info@hops24.de with a description of the dispute so that we can try to resolve it informally within 30 days. This does not prevent you from taking any step needed to preserve a claim before a deadline.

Courts for consumers. If you are a consumer, you may bring any claim against HOPS24 in the state or federal courts that have jurisdiction where you reside, including small claims court if your claim qualifies. HOPS24 may bring claims against a consumer only in the courts where the consumer resides.

Courts for businesses. If you use the Platform for business purposes, for example as a Provider, the courts of Berlin, Germany, have exclusive jurisdiction to the extent permitted by law, as further described in the Provider Terms and the Partner API Terms.

No arbitration and no class action waiver. These Terms do not require arbitration and do not waive your right to a jury trial or to take part in a class, collective, or representative proceeding where permitted by applicable law.

18. Consent to Electronic Communications

By using the Platform, you consent to receive communications from us electronically, including by email and through notices on the Platform, such as inquiry confirmations, messages from Providers, security notices, and notices of changes to these Terms. You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications we provide electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing. You can withdraw this consent by closing your account, but you will then no longer be able to use account-based features. Optional emails, such as a review invitation, are sent only if you agree to them and you can stop them at any time.

19. Notice to California Users

Under California Civil Code § 1789.3, California users are entitled to the following consumer rights notice: The Platform is provided by Immobackup UG, Immobackup UG, Dönhoffstraße 11, 10318 Berlin, Germany. Use of the Platform is free of charge for Customers. If you have a question or complaint about the Platform, please contact us at info@hops24.de. You may also contact the Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of Consumer Services of the California Department of Consumer Affairs in writing at 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N 112, Sacramento, CA 95834, or by telephone at (800) 952-5210.

20. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time, for example for legal, technical, or business reasons. If we make material changes, we will notify registered users by email or through the Platform before the changes take effect, and we will update the effective date. Providers receive at least 15 days' advance notice as described in the Provider Terms. Changes will not apply retroactively to disputes that arose before the change. If you continue to use the Platform after the changes take effect, you accept the updated Terms; if you do not agree, you must stop using the Platform.

21. General Terms

• Entire agreement. These Terms, together with the documents referenced in Section 1, are the entire agreement between you and HOPS24 regarding the Platform.
• Severability. If any provision is held unenforceable, it will be limited to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions remain in effect.
• No waiver. Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver of our right to do so later.
• Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without our consent. We may assign them in connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, or to an affiliate.
• Force majeure. We are not liable for delays or failures caused by events beyond our reasonable control.
• No third-party beneficiaries. These Terms do not create rights for any third party, except as expressly stated.
• Language. The English version of these Terms controls.

22. Contact

Immobackup UG
Immobackup UG, Dönhoffstraße 11, 10318 Berlin, Germany
Email: info@hops24.de

You can also reach us through our contact page. Questions about a specific rental, its price, payment, cancellation, or refund should be directed to the Provider.