Terms
NeighborShed disclaimer
Please read this before sharing or borrowing. NeighborShed is a community platform: it introduces neighbors and keeps the record, but it does not step into or guarantee what passes between them. Sharers and borrowers each carry different responsibilities — both are spelled out below.
NeighborShed is not a party to your loan
A loan is an agreement between two neighbors. NeighborShed provides the introduction and the record; it does not inspect tools, vet people, insure anything, or take a side when something goes wrong. We are not liable for the outcome of any meeting, exchange, or item.
If you share a tool
You are responsible for what you lend. Only list a tool that is safe to use, and say plainly what condition it is in and how it should be handled. You decide who may borrow it, and you accept the risk that it may come back damaged, late, or not at all. If you would not be at peace losing it, do not list it.
If you borrow a tool
You are responsible for what you borrow, from pickup until it is back in the owner's hands. Use it as intended and within your competence, return it on time and in the condition you received it, and make it right if you damage or lose it. You accept the risk of using it — including injury to yourself or others.
Returns and repairs are between you
NeighborShed cannot guarantee or enforce returns, timing, or repair and replacement. We will show both of you what was agreed and when, but settling it is yours to do — neighbor to neighbor.
Choose visibility and accountability
Set sharing visibility to specific people, streets, neighborhoods, cities, or fully public. Actions like sharing and borrowing are logged; you control whether your history is visible to others.
Invitations must be accepted before someone is added to your allowed list. Security and privacy are foundational, even as the platform is meant for public communities.
Help us improve
We welcome feedback and reviews to improve visibility and accountability features. Tell us what would make sharing safer and clearer for your community.
Abuse and bad behavior
Abuse between people is a greater concern than tool damage. Anyone can be a stranger online; the cost of joining should not be zero.
Two neighbor vouches are required before you can list a tool. A vouch is a real person putting their name to yours, and it is visible. That is deliberate friction: it makes a throwaway account worthless, and it means bad behavior costs someone their standing with their neighbors, not just an email address.
We may add a modest verification fee (around $7) as a second layer of friction. It is not charged today. The point would not be revenue — it is to make disposable accounts expensive enough to be pointless.
Tell us what would make you feel safer. We will prioritize measures that keep security and privacy intact while maintaining community access.
If you are unsure about a tool, keep it private or choose not to list it.