Terms of Service

1.1 Definitions

• “Locali” — the mid-stay curation service for foreign guests operated by COMMONKUNST Co., Ltd. at localiseoul.com.
• “Guest” or “User” — any person who browses or submits a booking request through localiseoul.com.
• “Host” — the actual owner or operator of a listing curated by Locali.
• “Booking” — a confirmed reservation for a specific listing and date range, paid in full through Locali.
• “Service” — Locali’s listing curation, English-language booking concierge, payment processing, host communication on the guest’s behalf, and in-stay support.

1.2 Acceptance

By submitting a booking request, creating an account, or otherwise using the Service, the Guest agrees to be bound by these Terms. If the Guest does not agree, they must not use the Service.

1.3 Binding Language

These Terms are written in English. English is the binding version for all foreign Guests. Korean translations, where provided, are for convenience only; in case of inconsistency the English version controls.

1.4 Operator Information

• Company: COMMONKUNST Co., Ltd. (주식회사 커먼쿤스트)
• Representative: SIMUN YANG (양시문)
• Business Registration: 807-86-02271
• E-Commerce Registration: 제2024-전남여수-0515호
• Address: 304-2301, 47 Ungcheonjungang-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
• Email: hello@localiseoul.com
• Phone: +82 10 4882 7230

1.5 Concierge Scope and Regulated Services

Locali provides furnished-stay search, curation, host communication, quote coordination, booking support, and in-stay concierge services. Locali does not provide legal advice and does not hold itself out as a licensed real-estate broker. Any activity that legally requires a licensed real-estate broker, including regulated brokerage or formal lease negotiation, will be handled only through an appropriately licensed partner under a separately disclosed scope.

2.1 Request to Book

The Guest submits a booking request for a specific listing on localiseoul.com. The request includes desired check-in date, length of stay (minimum 7 nights), number of guests, and contact information. Locali re-checks the host platform's live availability the moment the Guest reaches the checkout screen — if the listing has just become unavailable, payment is refused and the Guest is offered alternatives at no charge.

2.2 Payment Methods

Locali accepts:

• PayPal (USD, all major foreign cards)
• Toss Payments (Korean cards, international cards, Alipay+, WeChat Pay)

Payment-processing and currency-settlement costs are included in the quoted stay price. The Guest pays only the quoted total.

2.3 Host Confirmation Review

After payment, Locali books the listing on the host platform and aims to secure host approval within 24 hours of the payment timestamp. On successful confirmation the Booking is finalised and the Guest receives a confirmation email containing the booking ID, check-in instructions, host contact details routed through Locali, and a link to this refund policy.

If host confirmation is still pending after 24 hours, the Booking remains pending while Locali reviews the case and contacts the Guest. The passage of time alone does not trigger a refund. If the host declines or Locali determines that the Booking cannot be fulfilled, an authorized administrator may approve a 100% refund (rent, cleaning fee, and Locali service fee) using the original payment method and offer a comparable alternative listing under the Locali guarantee.

For PayPal payments, the charge is held as an authorization only and can be released (voided) without being captured when an administrator approves cancellation before capture. For Toss Payments, the charge is captured at checkout in line with Toss's product requirements; an approved refund is returned to the original card within 5–10 business days depending on the issuing bank.

2.4 Payment Capture Timing

Where the payment provider supports authorize-and-capture (e.g., PayPal), Locali captures the authorized payment only after host confirmation succeeds. Where the payment provider captures immediately at checkout (e.g., Toss Payments), the funds are held by Locali pending host confirmation and are refunded only after an authorized administrator approves the refund under Section 2.3.

3.1 Locali Service Fee

Locali charges a transparent service fee of 10% of the booking subtotal (stay price + maintenance + cleaning, before any long-stay discount). The fee is shown to the Guest before payment.

The Service Fee covers English-language curation, host communication, booking concierge, and in-stay support.

3.2 Stay Price and Included Costs

The stay price is displayed as a single line item that includes the Host’s asking rent, any fee charged by the Host’s upstream platform, and payment-processing and currency-conversion or settlement costs. These amounts are presented as one all-in stay price rather than added at checkout. Maintenance and cleaning fees set by the Host are shown separately when applicable.

3.3 No Security Deposit

Locali does not require a security deposit from the Guest. The Guest pays only rent, any applicable maintenance and cleaning fees, and the Locali Service Fee — all disclosed before payment. No amount is held or authorized on the Guest’s card as a deposit.

3.4 Optional Add-Ons

The Guest may add Settlement Kit (Basic / Standard / Premium) or Bedding service at booking or later. These are billed separately and refundable in line with Locali pricing.

Every confirmed booking is backed by four standing promises:

4.1 Promise 1 — Refund + Replacement Home

If a Booking has a serious issue — fraud, material misrepresentation of the listing, unsafe living condition, or host-initiated cancellation — Locali will, at the Guest’s option:

• Issue a 100% refund within 72 hours of the issue being confirmed, or
• Provide an equivalent alternative stay within 24 hours, or
• Both: refund in full and cover interim hotel cost for up to 7 nights while we relocate the Guest.

Triggers: the listing does not exist; the listing fundamentally differs from its description, photos, location, or price; the unit is unsafe (broken locks, water leak, gas issue, etc.); the Host unilaterally cancels.

Not covered: personal preference about decor or neighborhood feel; normal wear and tear; force majeure (natural disaster, government order, war); damage or loss caused by the Guest.

4.2 Promise 2 — Seoul-Based Support

The Locali support team responds to any escalation within 4 hours, 24/7. Email hello@localiseoul.com or message via KakaoTalk, WhatsApp, WeChat, or LINE using the contact details available on Locali.

4.3 Promise 3 — Unit Verification on Request

After booking confirmation the Guest may request a personal video walkthrough of the unit. Locali delivers the video within 24 hours, shared only with the requesting Guest.

4.4 Promise 4 — Trust Guarantee Insurance

A USD 5,000 guest protection guarantee underwritten by a Korean insurance partner is scheduled to launch in Q4 2026. Until that launches, Promise 1 (refund and replacement home) provides equivalent protection.

5.1 Standard Cancellation by Guest

All windows are calculated from the scheduled check-in date. The cleaning fee is returned in full at every tier; only rent and the Locali Service Fee are subject to the schedule below.

• 14 or more days before check-in — 100% refund (rent, cleaning, service fee).
• 7–14 days before check-in — 50% refund of rent and service fee; cleaning fee refunded in full.
• Less than 3 days before check-in — no refund of rent or service fee; cleaning fee refunded in full.
• After check-in — no refund (subject to Article 4.1 and 5.4).

This schedule is more flexible than Airbnb’s 7-day standard. The full refund window matches the Locali Refund Policy.

5.2 Modifying a Booking

Date changes are free up to 7 days before check-in, subject to host availability. Changes inside the 7-day window may incur a fee determined by the Host.

5.3 Cancellation by Locali or Host

If Locali or the Host cancels for any reason after confirmation, the Guest receives a 100% refund and Promise 1 (Article 4.1) may apply — including alternative stay and interim hotel cover.

5.4 Full-Refund Situations

Regardless of when the Guest cancels, a 100% refund applies in any of the following situations, with documentation where relevant:

• Host cancellation
• Locali operational failure
• Visa denial
• Medical emergency
• Natural disaster, officially declared pandemic, government order, or other force majeure

5.5 Mid-Stay Cancellation

If the Guest ends the stay early for personal reasons, Locali refunds 50% of the rent attributable to the remaining nights (after deducting any cleaning fee). If the cause triggers Promise 1, the remaining nights are refunded in full.

5.6 Refund Processing

Approved refunds are returned to the original payment method within 5–10 business days. PayPal refunds return in USD; Toss Payments refunds return in KRW. Locali absorbs all payment processor fees — no deduction is taken from the refund.

The Guest agrees to the following:

• Use the listing only for the number of guests stated in the booking.
• Notify Locali immediately of any damage and accept responsibility for documented harm to the property.
• No smoking, illegal drug use, unlawful activity, or parties on the premises. Violation may result in immediate removal and a charge for damages and cleaning.
• Handle their own visa and immigration paperwork. Locali is not a visa or immigration adviser.
• Not use the listing in violation of Korean law (including unauthorised sublease or false residence registration).
• Keep keys, access codes, and unit information confidential.

Locali commits to:

• Curate listings with accurate English-language descriptions based on host-provided information, and verify with the Host before confirming each booking.
• Honor the four Locali Promises (Article 4) on every confirmed booking.
• Protect Guest personal information under the Korean Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). See the Privacy Policy for details.
• Respond to all booking inquiries within 4 hours through the Locali support team.
• Process refunds in line with Article 5 without deducting processor fees from the Guest.

8.1 General Limitation

Locali’s maximum liability for any single Booking is limited to the total amount paid for that Booking, plus interim hotel cost where Promise 1 applies. Locali is not liable for indirect or consequential losses incurred during the Guest’s stay in Korea, including theft, accident, medical cost, flight changes, or loss of personal items.

Guests are strongly encouraged to carry their own travel and medical insurance.

8.2 Indemnification

The Guest indemnifies Locali against losses arising from inaccurate booking information they provided or from any breach of Article 6.

9.1 Direct Resolution First

All disputes are first addressed in direct communication with the Locali support team at hello@localiseoul.com. We commit to responding within 4 hours.

9.2 Korean Consumer Mediation

If direct resolution fails, the Guest may file with the Korean Consumer Protection Mediation Committee.

9.3 Governing Law and Venue

Disputes unresolved by the above are governed by the laws of the Republic of Korea, and the Seoul Central District Court shall have jurisdiction.

Locali protects Guest personal information under the Korean Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Collected items, purposes, retention periods, and Guest rights are described in the Privacy Policy. Guests resident in the EU are also covered by Locali’s GDPR-equivalent commitments described in the Privacy Policy.

Locali may amend these Terms from time to time. Material changes are posted on this page and notified to Guests with an active booking by email. A Booking is governed by the version of these Terms in effect on the date the Booking was confirmed.