HighlandsPH

Terms of Service

Last updated: January 15, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using HighlandsPH ("Service", "Platform", "we", "us", or "our"), you ("User", "you", or "your") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use our Service.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and HighlandsPH. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time, and such modifications will be effective immediately upon posting on our website.

2. Description of Service

HighlandsPH is an online marketplace platform connecting buyers and sellers of real estate, vehicles, and rental properties in the Cordillera and Ilocandia region and Northern Luzon, Philippines. Our Service includes:

  • Property listings (houses, lots, condominiums, commercial spaces)
  • Vehicle listings (cars, trucks, motorcycles)
  • Rental property listings (apartments, houses, rooms)
  • Accommodation booking integration (hotels via Booking.com)
  • Search and filtering tools for listings
  • User account management and profile features
  • Communication tools between buyers and sellers
  • News and blog content about real estate and the region

Important: HighlandsPH is a marketplace platform that connects buyers and sellers. We do not own, sell, or rent any of the listed properties or vehicles. We are not real estate agents, brokers, or dealers.

3. Free Service with Verification Requirements

Most features of HighlandsPH are provided free of charge. However, to protect our community from scammers and fraudulent activities, we require verification for certain actions.

Free Features

  • Browsing all property, car, and rental listings
  • Using search and filter tools
  • Reading news articles
  • Creating a basic user account
  • Viewing public listing details

Verification Requirements

To post listings or contact sellers, you must complete verification to prevent scams. Verification includes:

  • Identity Verification: A one-time, non-refundable trust requirement (approximately ₱285) to verify your identity and deter scammers and spam accounts. This includes government-issued ID verification (e.g., Philippine National ID, Driver's License, Passport).
  • Phone Number Verification: SMS verification to confirm active phone number
  • Email Verification: Confirmation email to verify email ownership

Note: Identity trust checks are non-refundable under all circumstances. This is not a service charge but an anti-fraud measure to protect the community from scammers and automated spam accounts.

4. User Accounts and Registration

Account Creation

To post listings or contact sellers, you must create an account and complete verification. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update such information as necessary.

Account Security

  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
  • You are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your account
  • You must immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account
  • We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from unauthorized account access

Verification Data Protection

We protect your verification information (ID documents, payment details) according to our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws. We will never sell or share your verification data with third parties except as required by law.

5. Listing and Posting Rules

Permitted Listings

You may post listings for:

  • Real estate for sale (houses, lots, condominiums, commercial properties)
  • Rental properties (apartments, houses, rooms, vacation rentals)
  • Vehicles for sale (cars, trucks, motorcycles, SUVs)
  • Legitimate business and commercial properties

Prohibited Listings and Activities

You agree NOT to use our Service for:

  • Fraudulent Listings: Fake properties, scams, or misrepresented items
  • Illegal Activities: Money laundering, illegal property transactions, stolen vehicles
  • Discrimination: Listings that discriminate based on race, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics
  • Misleading Information: False pricing, fake photos, or inaccurate property details
  • Duplicate Listings: Posting the same property multiple times to gain unfair visibility
  • Off-Platform Transactions: Attempting to circumvent our anti-scam measures
  • Harassment: Harassing other users, sellers, or buyers
  • Spam: Automated posting, mass messaging, or unsolicited commercial messages

Listing Accuracy

You are solely responsible for the accuracy and legality of your listings. You must:

  • Use actual photos of the property or vehicle being sold
  • Provide accurate pricing and property details
  • Disclose any known defects or issues with the property/vehicle
  • Have legal authority to sell or rent the property/vehicle
  • Comply with all applicable real estate and vehicle sale laws in the Philippines

6. Anti-Scam and Fraud Prevention

Our Commitment to Safety

HighlandsPH is committed to providing a safe marketplace for the Cordillera community. We implement multiple layers of protection against scammers and fraudulent activities.

Anti-Scam Measures:

  • Verified Accounts: All sellers must complete identity and payment verification
  • Listing Review: Suspicious listings are reviewed before publication
  • Reporting System: Users can report suspicious listings or behavior
  • Communication Monitoring: Automated detection of scam patterns in messages
  • Seller Ratings: Track record of user transactions and reviews

User Responsibilities

While we implement anti-scam measures, you must also take precautions:

  • Meet sellers in person to view properties or vehicles before payment
  • Verify property ownership documents before purchase
  • Never send money to sellers before viewing the property
  • Use licensed real estate agents or lawyers for large transactions
  • Report suspicious listings or behavior to our team
  • Be cautious of deals that seem "too good to be true"

7. Limitation of Liability

Platform Liability Limitations

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HIGHLANDSPH SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

  • Listing Accuracy: Accuracy, completeness, or legality of user-generated listings
  • Transaction Disputes: Any disputes between buyers and sellers, including fraud or misrepresentation
  • Property Defects: Hidden defects, title issues, or legal problems with listed properties
  • Scams: Financial losses resulting from scams, despite our anti-fraud measures
  • User Conduct: Actions, omissions, or behavior of users on the platform
  • Third-Party Services: Services provided by real estate agents, lawyers, or other third parties
  • Transactions: Any financial transactions between buyers and sellers, as we do not process or facilitate such transactions

As a marketplace platform that only connects buyers and sellers, HighlandsPH does not process transactions and therefore bears no liability for transactions conducted between users.

User Indemnification

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

  • Your listings and their accuracy
  • Your transactions with other users
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any law or third-party rights
  • Disputes arising from your property or vehicle sales

8. Payment and Refund Policy

Identity Verification Requirement

The one-time identity trust requirement (approximately ₱285) is non-refundable under all circumstances. This is not a service fee but a fraud prevention measure to protect our community from scammers and automated spam accounts.

  • Identity trust checks are a one-time requirement to post listings or contact sellers
  • This fee serves as a barrier against mass spam and fraudulent account creation
  • Identity trust checks are non-refundable even if your account is closed or suspended
  • We reserve the right to adjust trust requirements to maintain platform security

Transaction Payments

HighlandsPH does not process property or vehicle sale payments. All financial transactions between buyers and sellers are conducted directly and are outside our platform's control.

9. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference into these Terms.

By using our Service, you consent to the collection and processing of your information as described in our Privacy Policy, including verification data necessary to prevent fraud and protect our community.

10. Termination and Suspension

Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting our support team or using the account deletion feature in your profile settings. Please note that identity trust checks are non-refundable even after account closure.

Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately if you:

  • Post fraudulent, fake, or misleading listings
  • Engage in scam activities or fraud attempts
  • Violate these Terms or our listing policies
  • Harass or threaten other users
  • Fail to complete required verification
  • Engage in illegal activities

Identity trust checks are non-refundable under all circumstances, including account termination for fraud or Terms violations.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Baguio City, Philippines.

Dispute Resolution Process

  1. Direct Communication: Contact our support team first to resolve disputes informally
  2. Mediation: If informal resolution fails, disputes may be resolved through mediation
  3. Legal Action: As a last resort, disputes will be resolved through Philippine courts

12. Modifications to Service and Terms

Service Changes

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our Service at any time. We will provide notice of significant changes when possible.

Terms Updates

We may update these Terms periodically. Material changes will be communicated via email or platform notification. Continued use of our Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

13. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

Effective Date: These Terms of Service are effective as of January 15, 2026.

Important Notice

By using HighlandsPH, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. You understand that HighlandsPH is a marketplace platform connecting buyers and sellers, and that we are not responsible for the accuracy of listings or the conduct of users. You also acknowledge our anti-scam measures and verification requirements designed to protect the Cordillera community.