Legal & compliance
houm is built around real contracts, real professionals, and clear responsibilities. This page explains what houm is (and isn't), how our contracts are structured, and what protections and risks you should be aware of.
What houm is
• A digital platform that helps structure rent-to-buy agreements.
• A marketplace and workflow layer connecting buyers, sellers, and professionals.
• A tool to simulate payments and equity, manage documents and milestones.
What houm is not
• Not a bank or mortgage lender.
• Not a real estate agency (unless explicitly licensed in specific jurisdictions).
• Not a party to the property sale or rental contracts.
• Does not provide individualized financial, tax, or investment advice.
Disclaimer: Users must consult their own legal, tax, and financial advisors.
How rent-to-buy contracts work on houm
houm provides standardized templates which are adapted per country/region by legal professionals. The contract is between the Buyer/Tenant and the Property Owner/Landlord.
Main Economic Terms
- Property price (locked at signing)
- Contract length (typically 3-10 years)
- Initial contribution and final contribution
- Monthly payment (split into rent vs. equity)
Exit Options
- Buy: Pay the remaining amount and take title.
- Walk away: Decide not to buy (accumulated equity terms vary by contract).
- Transfer: If you can't pay, you may transfer the contract to another eligible houm user (subject to owner agreement and KYC).
Role of Professionals
Each contract is validated and formalized with locally qualified professionals (notaries, lawyers). They handle property title checks, compliance review, and the final signature process.Local law always prevails over any generic description on this website.
Identity & Anti-Fraud
We perform Identity Verification (KYC) for buyers, sellers, and professional partners. This includes ID document verification and basic affordability checks. We also monitor for anomalies to reduce fraud.
Payments & Custody
Monthly payments and deposits are sent directly between buyer and owner via bank transfer, or handled through notaries/escrow partners where required. houm provides tracking and reconciliation, but actual money flows occur through external financial institutions.
Data Privacy
Data is stored securely with encryption. We aim to comply with applicable data protection laws (like GDPR). Only necessary data is collected.
Blockchain Audit Trail
We hash key contract milestones on-chain to create a tamper-evident timeline.Personal data and full contracts are NOT stored on-chain.
Risks you should understand
houm is not responsible for property price movements, tax outcomes, or personal decisions. Users must read each contract carefully and seek independent advice.