Operated by Tomin Group International Inc., Québec, Canada
legal@monkstays.com www.monkstays.com
Effective Date: January 2026
Plain-Language Overview
These Host Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern the relationship between Monkstays (operated by Tomin Group International Inc., Québec, Canada) and each registered Host, including monasteries, convents, retreat houses, and Catholic faith-based institutions that list accommodations or programs on the Monkstays Platform.
Monkstays operates as a mission-driven digital marketplace intermediary.
Under this structure:
- The Host is the supplier of accommodation or retreat services.
- Monkstays acts solely as a limited payment collection agent on behalf of the Host.
- Tax responsibility remains with the Host unless Monkstays is legally required to collect and remit specific taxes.
Monkstays collects guest payments, retains agreed service fees, and settles host payouts on a structured monthly basis.
By registering as a Host, submitting an application, creating an account, publishing a listing, or accepting a booking through the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Host Terms of Service and the incorporated Policies, including the Guest Terms of Service, the Pricing Policy, the Refunds & Cancellations Policy, the Liability Policy, the Privacy Policy, and the Code of Conduct, as each may be updated from time to time.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Québec and the applicable federal laws of Canada.
This overview is provided for convenience only. The numbered clauses below are legally binding.
1. Definitions and Interpretation
1.1 Platform – The Monkstays website and related digital services operated by or on behalf of Tomin Group International Inc.
1.2 Hôte – A verified Catholic religious or Catholic faith-based institution approved to list accommodations or retreats on the Platform.
1.3 Guest – A registered user who books or attempts to book accommodations through the Platform.
1.4 Booking – A confirmed reservation completed through the Platform.
1.5 Booking Subtotal – The total price set by the Host for lodging or retreat services before taxes.
1.6 Guest Service Fee – The ten percent (10%) service fee charged to Guests.
1.7 Host Commission – The five percent (5%) commission retained by Monkstays from Host payouts.
1.8 Policies – Collectively, the User Terms of Service, Guest Terms of Service, Pricing Policy, Refunds & Cancellations Policy, Liability Policy, Privacy Policy, and Code of Conduct, as updated from time to time.
Headings are for reference only and do not affect interpretation. “Including” means “including without limitation.”
2. Eligibility and Registration
2.1 Institutional Eligibility
Hosting is limited to legitimate Catholic religious institutions, monasteries, convents, retreat houses, or Catholic-affiliated non-profit entities.
2.2 Verification
Monkstays may require documentation confirming institutional identity, legal status, and authority to provide lodging.
2.3 Accuracy of Information
Hosts must provide and maintain accurate information about their organization, accommodations, and contact details.
2.4 Legal Compliance
Hosts must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, permits, zoning, fire safety, and health requirements in their jurisdiction.
2.5 Account Security
Hosts are responsible for safeguarding login credentials and all activity under their account.
3. Listing Requirements
3.1 Accuracy
Listings must be truthful and not misleading regarding location, facilities, pricing, or availability.
3.2 Photographs and Descriptions
Images must accurately represent the accommodations. Monkstays may remove misleading content.
3.3 Religious Character
Hosts may describe the spiritual nature of their environment, provided that all Guests are treated respectfully and lawfully.
3.4 Updates
Hosts must promptly update listings to reflect changes in availability or pricing.
3.5 Removal
Monkstays may unpublish or modify listings that violate these Terms or applicable Policies.
4. Pricing and Service Fees
4.1 Host Pricing Control
Hosts determine base nightly rates, retreat pricing, and optional services using Platform tools.
4.2 Guest Service Fee
Monkstays charges Guests a service fee equal to ten percent (10%) of the Booking Subtotal (before taxes). This fee is paid by the Guest at checkout and retained by Monkstays.
4.3 Host Commission
Monkstays retains a commission equal to five percent (5%) of the Booking Subtotal (before taxes). This commission is deducted from the Host’s payout.
4.4 Calculation Basis
Both the Guest Service Fee and Host Commission are calculated on the Booking Subtotal before applicable taxes.
4.5 Currency
Listings may be displayed in Canadian dollars (CAD) or U.S. dollars (USD). Settlement is made in the currency of the listing.
4.6 Fee Modifications
Monkstays may modify the Guest Service Fee, Host Commission, settlement structure, or introduce new service-related fees for future bookings at its discretion, without requiring Host consent.
Monkstays will provide reasonable notice of material fee changes through the Platform or by email. Continued use of the Platform after such notice constitutes acceptance of the updated fee structure.
Fee changes shall apply only to bookings confirmed after the effective date of the change and shall not affect previously confirmed bookings.
Monkstays may also adjust fees where required due to changes in law, taxation, payment processing costs, regulatory requirements, or operational considerations.
Plain Language Note:
Guests pay a 10% service fee. Hosts contribute a 5% commission. Total platform compensation equals 15% of the booking subtotal.
5. Payments and Monthly Settlement Cycle
5.1 Payment Collection
Monkstays collects the full booking amount from Guests, including listing price, Guest Service Fee, Host Commission (as deducted), and applicable taxes, acting solely as limited payment collection agent for the Host.
5.2 Funds Holding
Funds are securely held by authorized payment service providers until booking completion and the absence of disputes.
5.3 Clearance Rule
A booking becomes eligible for settlement forty-eight (48) hours after Guest checkout, provided no dispute, refund, or chargeback is pending.
For retreats or fixed-date programs, eligibility begins forty-eight (48) hours after the program end date.
5.4 Monthly Settlement Cycle
Settlements are processed monthly on or around the 5th calendar day of each month.
Each settlement includes eligible bookings completed during the prior calendar month.
5.5 Minimum Threshold
Settlement will occur only if the Host’s cleared balance in the relevant currency equals or exceeds one hundred (100) CAD or one hundred (100) USD.
Balances below this threshold are carried forward to the next settlement cycle.
5.6 Grouped Retreat Settlement
For retreats or multi-participant programs, Monkstays may group participant payments into a single settlement.
5.7 Chargebacks and Adjustments
Monkstays may withhold or deduct disputed amounts from current or future settlements.
5.8 Processing Time
After the settlement is issued, bank transfers are typically completed within three to five (3–5) business days.
Plain Language Note:
Hosts are paid monthly on or around the 5th if their cleared balance exceeds $100 and the stay has been completed without dispute.
6. Taxes, Supplier Status, and Payment Agency
6.1 Host as Independent Supplier
The Host acknowledges and agrees that it is the sole and independent supplier of all accommodation, retreat, formation, concert, or related services offered through the Platform.
Monkstays does not supply accommodation or retreat services.
The Host is solely responsible for:
- Determining whether its activities constitute taxable supplies under applicable federal, provincial, or local laws;
- Registering for GST/HST, QST, Québec lodging tax, or any other applicable tax;
- Charging, collecting, reporting, and remitting all applicable taxes to the relevant tax authorities;
- Ensuring compliance with all applicable tax legislation in the jurisdiction where the accommodation, retreat, or related services are supplied, including but not limited to federal, state, provincial, municipal, sales tax, value-added tax (VAT), goods and services tax (GST), harmonized sales tax (HST), lodging tax, occupancy tax, or similar regimes.
6.2 Limited Payment Collection Agency
The Host hereby appoints Monkstays as its limited payment collection agent solely for the purpose of:
- Collecting booking payments from Guests on behalf of the Host;
- Collecting applicable taxes as determined by the Host’s declared tax status;
- Transferring collected amounts to the Host in accordance with the settlement cycle.
Collection of funds by Monkstays does not transfer tax liability to Monkstays.
Tax liability remains exclusively with the Host unless Monkstays is expressly required by law to collect and remit specific taxes in its own capacity.
6.3 Tax Registration and Declarations
During onboarding and periodically thereafter, Hosts must declare:
- Whether they are registered for GST/HST;
- Whether they are registered for QST;
- Whether they are subject to Québec lodging tax;
- Whether they qualify as a small supplier;
- Whether they claim tax-exempt or charitable status.
The Host represents and warrants that:
- All tax information provided is accurate and current;
- It will promptly notify Monkstays of any change in tax status;
- It remains responsible for monitoring its registration thresholds.
Monkstays may rely on the Host’s declarations without independent verification.
6.4 Small Supplier and Exempt Religious Status
If a Host declares that it:
- Is below the small supplier threshold; or
- Is exempt due to charitable or religious status;
The Host warrants that such status is valid under applicable law and accepts full responsibility for its tax position.
Monkstays is not responsible for verifying exemption eligibility.
6.5 Donation-Based Activities
Where a Host offers retreats, programs, or events described as “donation-based”:
- The Host must declare whether participation requires payment.
- If payment is mandatory, the amount may constitute taxable consideration under applicable law.
- The Host remains solely responsible for determining the tax treatment of such amounts.
If a donation is voluntary and not required for participation, the Host remains responsible for ensuring that such characterization complies with applicable law.
6.6 Collection and Settlement of Taxes
Where applicable:
- Monkstays collects accommodation charges and applicable taxes on behalf of the Host.
- Collected tax amounts are transferred to the Host as part of the settlement (unless legally required to be remitted directly by Monkstays).
- The Host remains responsible for remitting such taxes to the appropriate tax authorities.
Example structure:
Accommodation supplied by: [Host Legal Name]
Monkstays acts as a limited payment collection agent.
6.7 Platform Service Fees and Taxation
Monkstays charges:
- A Guest Service Fee (10%);
- A Host Commission (5%).
These fees constitute consideration for digital marketplace and booking facilitation services supplied by Monkstays.
If Monkstays is registered for GST/HST, QST, or other applicable taxes, such taxes will be applied to the Platform’s service fees in accordance with applicable law.
Taxation of Monkstays’ service fees is independent of the Host’s tax status.
6.8 Invoices and Receipts
The Host remains responsible for issuing lawful receipts or invoices where required by applicable law.
Platform-generated booking confirmations do not replace the Host’s statutory invoicing obligations where such obligations exist.
6.9 Tax Indemnification
The Host agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Monkstays, its directors, officers, and affiliates from any claims, penalties, assessments, audits, or liabilities arising from:
- Failure to register for required taxes;
- Incorrect tax classification;
- Failure to remit collected taxes;
- Mischaracterization of taxable supplies as donations;
- Any breach of tax-related representations under these Terms.
7. Host Responsibilities
7.1 Hosts must maintain safe, hygienic accommodations.
7.2 Eligibility Criteria Compliance. Hosts are solely responsible for ensuring that any eligibility criteria, Guest admission limitations, or participation requirements applied to Guests comply with all applicable anti-discrimination and human rights laws. Monkstays does not independently verify the legality of such criteria and relies on the Host’s representations of compliance.
7.3 Hosts must preserve the contemplative atmosphere consistent with Monkstays’ mission.
7.4 Hosts must maintain appropriate insurance coverage.
7.5 International Regulatory Compliance
7.6 Hosts located outside Canada are solely responsible for complying with all local licensing, zoning, consumer protection, accommodation, tax, and regulatory requirements applicable in their jurisdiction.
8. Guest Management
8.1 Communication between Host and Guest should occur through the Platform.
8.2 Hosts must report serious incidents within 24 hours.
8.3 Guest data may only be used for legitimate booking purposes.
9. Insurance
9.1 Hosts must maintain adequate property and liability insurance.
9.2 Monkstays is not an insurer and does not guarantee payment of any claim.
10. Damage Claims
10.1 Hosts must document and report damage within forty-eight (48) hours after checkout.
10.2 Monkstays may coordinate recovery through the authorized payment provider.
11. Intellectual Property
Hosts retain ownership of listing content but grant Monkstays a worldwide, royalty-free license to use such materials for operational and promotional purposes.
12. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Monkstays’ total liability for any claim shall not exceed the total Host Commission retained for the relevant booking.
13. Indemnification
Hosts agree to indemnify and hold harmless Monkstays from claims arising from Host negligence, legal violations, or breach of these Terms.
14. Termination
Monkstays may suspend or remove listings for non-compliance or safety concerns.
Hosts may deactivate accounts but must honor confirmed bookings.
15. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law
Disputes shall first be addressed through internal mediation.
Unresolved disputes are subject exclusively to the civil courts of Montréal, Province of Québec, Canada.
These Terms do not limit mandatory protections applicable under local law.
16. Miscellaneous
16.1 Force Majeure – Monkstays is not liable for events beyond reasonable control.
16.2 Severability – If one provision is invalid, the remainder remains effective.
16.3 Entire Agreement – These Terms and referenced Policies constitute the entire agreement.
16.4 Language – In case of discrepancy, the English version prevails.
End of Host Terms of Service