Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy is provided by Zewst, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Zewst," "we," "us," or "our"). Zewst operates the Zewst Rentals property management platform under the domain zewst.rentals, including the application at app.zewst.rentals, property websites hosted on subdomains thereof and associated custom domains, and all related services (collectively, the "Service"). For more information about Zewst, visit www.zewst.com.

This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our Service. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, and password when you create an account.
• Property Information: Property addresses, unit details, rental rates, photos, and related property data.
• Tenant Information: Names, email addresses, phone numbers, lease terms, and payment history of tenants managed through the platform.
• Applicant Information: Personal details provided through rental applications, including employment information, income, and references.
• Payment Information: Payment method details processed through our third-party payment processors (see Section 4).
• Communications: Messages, support requests, and feedback you send us.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, and actions taken within the Service.
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, IP address, and device identifiers.
• Cookies: Session cookies for authentication and preferences. See Section 7 for details.

2.3 Information from Third-Party Services

• Property Data Enrichment: We use third-party services to enrich property listings with market data, walkability scores, school information, and nearby points of interest.
• AI-Generated Content: We use AI services to generate property descriptions and marketing content based on property data you provide. We do not send personally identifiable tenant information to AI service providers.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service.
• Process rental applications, leases, and payments.
• Generate property websites and marketing materials.
• Send transactional emails (lease documents, payment receipts, maintenance updates).
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries.
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents.
• Comply with legal obligations.

4. Third-Party Services and Data Sharing

We share information with the following categories of third-party service providers, solely to operate and improve the Service:

4.1 Payment Processing

Stripe processes rent payments, application fees, and other financial transactions. When you make a payment, your payment information is sent directly to Stripe and is subject to Stripe's Privacy Policy. We do not store full credit card numbers or bank account numbers on our servers.

4.2 Financial Account Linking

Plaid enables tenants to securely link their bank accounts for ACH rent payments and income verification. When you connect a bank account through Plaid, your financial data is accessed in accordance with Plaid's End User Privacy Policy. We receive only the information necessary to facilitate payments and verify identity. We do not sell your financial data. You may disconnect your bank account at any time through your account settings.

4.3 Tenant Screening

TransUnion SmartMove provides credit reports, criminal background checks, and eviction history for rental applicants. Screening is initiated only with the applicant's consent and after the application fee is paid. Screening data is handled in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Applicants denied based on screening results receive an adverse action notice as required by law.

4.4 Other Service Providers

We engage trusted third-party service providers to assist with operating and improving the Service. These providers may perform functions such as:

• Electronic document signing and lease execution.
• Transactional email delivery (lease documents, payment notifications, account communications).
• AI-powered features including property description generation and data analysis. We do not send personally identifiable tenant information to AI service providers.
• Hosting, infrastructure, and cloud storage.
• Analytics and product improvement.

All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and may only use it to perform services on our behalf. Data is encrypted in transit via TLS.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. Lease records and financial transaction data are retained for a minimum of 7 years to comply with tax and legal requirements. You may request deletion of your account and personal data by contacting us at privacy@zewst.rentals.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (TLS/HTTPS) and at rest.
• Secure password hashing using industry-standard algorithms.
• Role-based access controls.
• Regular security monitoring and logging.

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. If you become aware of a security vulnerability, please contact us immediately at security@zewst.rentals.

7. Cookies

We use essential cookies for authentication and session management. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies. Third-party services embedded in the Service (such as Google Maps) may set their own cookies subject to their respective privacy policies.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Delete your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements.
• Export your data in a portable format.
• Opt out of non-essential communications.
• Withdraw consent for data processing where consent is the legal basis.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@zewst.rentals. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Notice

When you apply for a rental through the Service, the property manager may request a tenant screening report, which may include a credit report, criminal background check, and eviction history. These reports are obtained from consumer reporting agencies in compliance with the FCRA.

As a rental applicant, you have the right to:

• Be informed if information in a consumer report is used to take adverse action against you (such as denial of your application).
• Receive the name, address, and phone number of the consumer reporting agency that provided the report.
• Obtain a free copy of your report from the reporting agency within 60 days of the adverse action.
• Dispute inaccurate or incomplete information in your consumer report directly with the reporting agency.

Screening is initiated only with the applicant's express consent. We do not use consumer reports for any purpose other than evaluating rental applications.

10. State Privacy Rights

10.1 California (CCPA/CPRA)

California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, request deletion of personal information, request correction of inaccurate information, and opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. We do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.

To submit a verifiable consumer request, contact us at privacy@zewst.rentals. We will verify your identity before processing your request and respond within 45 days.

10.2 Virginia (VCDPA), Colorado (CPA), Connecticut (CTDPA), and Other States

Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws have similar rights, including the right to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of personal data, and the right to opt out of targeted advertising, sale of personal data, and profiling. To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@zewst.rentals. If we decline your request, you may appeal by contacting us with the subject line "Privacy Rights Appeal."

11. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that compromises your personal information, we will notify affected individuals and applicable regulatory authorities as required by law. Notification will be provided without unreasonable delay and in accordance with the requirements of your jurisdiction.

12. Do Not Track

The Service does not respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals. However, we do not engage in cross-site tracking, targeted advertising, or sell your personal information to third parties.

13. International Users

The Service is operated from the United States. If you access the Service from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information in the United States.

14. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for use by children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.

15. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. For material changes that affect how we process your personal information, we will provide notice through the Service or via email prior to the change becoming effective. Your continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact us at:

Zewst, Inc. (operating as Zewst Rentals)
Email: privacy@zewst.rentals
Website: zewst.rentals | www.zewst.com