Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: January 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to Athena Car Rental Vehicle Rental Management System ("VRMS", "we", "us", or "our"). These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of our vehicle rental platform and services. By registering as a car owner or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

2. Definitions

• Platform: The Athena Car Rental website and mobile application
• Owner: Individual or company listing vehicles for rent
• Customer: Person renting a vehicle through the platform
• Vehicle: Any car, motorcycle, or other vehicle listed on the platform
• Booking: A confirmed rental reservation

3. Owner Registration and Account

3.1 Eligibility

To register as an owner, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old (for individuals) or a registered business entity (for companies)
• Possess valid identification documents
• Have legal ownership or authorization to rent out the vehicles you list
• Comply with all local laws and regulations regarding vehicle rental

3.2 Account Security

• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account
• You are liable for all activities conducted through your account
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms

3.3 Account Approval

• All owner registrations are subject to admin review and approval
• We reserve the right to reject any application without providing a reason
• Approval typically takes 24-48 hours
• You will be notified via email of your approval status

4. Vehicle Listings

4.1 Listing Requirements

All vehicles listed must:

• Be in good working condition and roadworthy
• Have valid registration, insurance, and inspection certificates
• Meet all safety and emission standards
• Match the description, specifications, and photos provided

4.2 Listing Information

• You must provide accurate and complete information about your vehicle
• You must upload clear, recent photos of the vehicle
• You must disclose any damage, defects, or mechanical issues
• Misrepresentation of vehicle information may result in account suspension

4.3 Pricing

• You set your own rental prices (per day rates)
• All prices must be in XAF (Central African Franc)
• Prices should be competitive and reasonable
• You may update pricing at any time, but changes do not affect existing bookings

5. Commission and Payments

5.1 Platform Commission

• We charge a 10% commission on all completed bookings
• Commission is automatically deducted from your earnings
• Commission rates are subject to change with 30 days notice

5.2 Payment Terms

• Earnings are calculated after each completed booking
• Payments are processed within 7 business days of booking completion
• You must provide valid bank account or mobile money details
• You are responsible for any taxes on your rental income

5.3 Refunds and Cancellations

• Customer cancellations may affect your earnings based on our cancellation policy
• If you cancel a confirmed booking, you may incur penalties
• Refunds for service issues are handled on a case-by-case basis

6. Owner Responsibilities

6.1 Vehicle Maintenance

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining vehicles in safe, clean, and roadworthy condition
• Conducting regular maintenance and inspections
• Ensuring all required documents are valid and up-to-date
• Marking vehicles as unavailable when not suitable for rental

6.2 Customer Interactions

• Respond to customer inquiries promptly and professionally
• Provide clear pickup/dropoff instructions
• Conduct thorough vehicle inspections before and after rentals
• Report any damage or issues immediately

6.3 Insurance and Liability

• You must maintain adequate insurance coverage for your vehicles
• You are responsible for verifying customer driving licenses
• You bear liability for accidents or damages during rental periods
• We recommend comprehensive insurance coverage

7. Prohibited Activities

You may not:

• List vehicles you do not own or have authorization to rent
• Provide false or misleading information
• Discriminate against customers based on race, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics
• Engage in fraudulent activities or money laundering
• Circumvent platform fees by conducting transactions outside the platform
• List stolen, unsafe, or illegal vehicles
• Use the platform for any unlawful purposes

8. Suspension and Termination

8.1 Suspension

We may suspend your account if:

• You violate these Terms
• We receive multiple customer complaints
• Your vehicles fail safety inspections
• We suspect fraudulent activity

8.2 Termination

• We may terminate your account at any time for cause
• You may terminate your account by contacting support
• Upon termination, you must fulfill all existing bookings
• Outstanding payments will be processed according to our payment terms

9. Intellectual Property

• All platform content, trademarks, and logos are our property
• You grant us a license to use your vehicle photos and information for marketing
• You may not copy, modify, or distribute platform content without permission

10. Privacy and Data Protection

• We collect and process personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy
• You consent to the collection and use of your information as described
• We implement security measures to protect your data
• You may request access to or deletion of your personal data

11. Limitation of Liability

• We provide the platform "as is" without warranties of any kind
• We are not liable for disputes between owners and customers
• We are not responsible for vehicle damage, accidents, or injuries
• Our total liability is limited to the commission fees paid by you
• We are not liable for loss of income or business opportunities

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from:

• Your use of the platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any laws or regulations
• Disputes with customers or third parties
• Accidents or injuries involving your vehicles

13. Dispute Resolution

13.1 Mediation

• We encourage resolving disputes through our support team
• We may offer mediation services for owner-customer disputes

13.2 Governing Law

• These Terms are governed by the laws of Cameroon
• Any legal disputes shall be resolved in courts of Cameroon

14. Changes to Terms

• We may modify these Terms at any time
• Changes will be posted on this page with updated date
• Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of changes
• Material changes will be communicated via email

15. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, please contact us:

• Email: support@athenacarrental.cm
• Phone: +237 XXX XXX XXX
• Address: Douala, Cameroon

16. Acceptance

By registering as an owner on our platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.