Acceptable Use Policy

Effective date: 1st January 2026
Version: 1.0 (UK)

This Acceptable Use Policy explains the rules for using www.homebuyingsellingcouncil.co.uk (the “Site”) and any related online community areas, toolkits, or digital resources (together, the “Services”) operated by Home Buying & Selling Council (“HBSC”, “we”, “us”, “our”).

By using our Site or Services, you agree to follow this Policy as well as our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.

If you have any questions, contact us at [email protected] 

 

About the HBSC

The Home Buying and Selling Council (HBSC) is a collaborative, not-for-profit initiative focused on improving transparency, consistency, and consumer understanding within the home buying and selling process.

At the time of publication, HBSC is not yet incorporated as a separate legal entity. The HBSC website, its content, and any associated materials are operated and administered by Designs on Property Ltd (Company No. 05294873) on an interim basis.

Designs on Property Ltd is responsible for the operation of this website, including the publication of content and the administration of associated services, until such time as the Home Buying and Selling Council is formally incorporated as a Community Interest Company (CIC).

Once the CIC is established, responsibility for the website and its content will transfer to the CIC and these Terms will be updated to reflect that change.

 

1. Lawful and responsible use

You may only use our Site and Services for lawful purposes. You must not use them in any way that:

  • breaches any applicable law or regulation (UK or international);

  • is fraudulent or misleading;

  • harms or attempts to harm minors;

  • transmits, uploads, or shares unlawful, defamatory, obscene, or discriminatory material;

  • infringes anyone else’s intellectual-property rights (including copyright or trademarks);

  • spreads or installs viruses, malware, or other harmful code;

  • attempts to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Site, our servers, or any connected systems; or

  • attacks the Site via denial-of-service or similar means.

You must not reproduce, copy, sell, or exploit any part of the Site or its content except as permitted under our licence or other written permission.

 

2. Contributing and interacting

Some HBSC areas (for example, community forums, events, or comments) may allow you to post or share content. When you do so, you are responsible for your contributions.

You agree that anything you share:

  • is accurate and reflects your honest views;

  • complies with applicable laws; and

  • respects others’ rights and dignity.

You must not post or share anything that:

  • is defamatory, threatening, obscene, or discriminatory;

  • promotes illegal acts or violence;

  • misuses confidential or private information;

  • impersonates another person or misrepresents your identity; or

  • gives the impression that your post represents HBSC when it does not.

We reserve the right to remove or edit any material that breaches these rules or our community standards.

 

3. Moderation

Where HBSC provides interactive features (for example, community discussion spaces), moderation may be human or automated.

We’ll tell users if moderation applies and how to contact a moderator.

While we take reasonable steps to monitor risk, we’re not obligated to moderate every interaction and accept no liability for content posted by users.
Children using interactive features should always be supervised by an adult.

 

4. Breaches of this Policy

If you breach this Policy, we may:

  • restrict, suspend, or end your access to the Site or community;

  • remove or edit offending material;

  • take legal or other action if appropriate.

We’re not liable for any loss or damage arising from your breach of this Policy.

 

5. Updates

We may revise this Policy at any time by updating this page. The “Effective date” and “Version” above show when it was last updated. Material changes may also be announced on the Site.

 

Contact:
Home Buying & Selling Council (HBSC)
Email: [email protected] 
Address: c/o Designs on Property Ltd. Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 3QN

 

Provenance: Adapted and rewritten from a licensed acceptable use policy template for clarity, compliance, and HBSC community use.Â