Table of Contents
Terms and Conditions
cre-book.com | Operated by The Real Estate Strategists’ Solutions Inc.
Version 2.1
Published: 22 August 2026
Last updated: 22 August 2026
Effective date: 21 September 2026
SEC Registration No.: 2024050149001-05
BIR TIN: 010-935-456-00000
Registered Address: 8F AYALA TRIANGLE GARDENS T2, PASEO DE ROXAS CORNER MAKATI AVENUE, BELAIR 1209 CITY OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA PHILIPPINES
Data Protection Officer: Yvette Alimpia
Contact: admin@cre-book.com
1. Definitions
As used in these Terms, the following terms have the following meanings:
Account: A registered user account on the Platform, whether held by an individual or an entity.
Admin: The authorized representatives of TRESSI responsible for reviewing, approving, publishing, monitoring, suspending, and removing Advertisements, and for administering verification, complaints, and account matters under these Terms.
Advertisement: A listing published on the Platform offering real estate for sale or lease, including all related information, data, and media submitted by a Property Advertiser. Third-Party Advertising is not an Advertisement.
Advertisement Term: The period for which an Advertisement is purchased for publication on the Platform.
Affiliate: Any entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with TRESSI.
Aggregated Data: Data derived from Advertisements, Submitted Content, and Platform activity that has been aggregated, anonymised, or otherwise processed so that it does not identify an individual User, as further described in clause 11.6.
Authority: A subsisting instruction or mandate from a Registered Owner, or from a party duly authorised by the Registered Owner, permitting a Property Advertiser to market and advertise a specific property.
Business Day: A day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday in Makati City, Philippines.
Company or TRESSI: The Real Estate Strategists’ Solutions Inc., a corporation organised under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, owner and operator of the Platform.
CRE Intelligence: TRESSI’s market research, market intelligence, and editorial output published under that name, whether on the Platform, by newsletter, or through other channels.
Data Privacy Act: Republic Act No. 10173, the Data Privacy Act of 2012, together with its Implementing Rules and Regulations and the issuances of the National Privacy Commission.
Diamond Display: An enhancement that causes an Advertisement to be displayed in search results as an enlarged property card showing additional property details.
Fees: The amounts payable by a User to TRESSI for Advertisements, subscriptions, or other paid services on the Platform, as published on the Platform or as separately agreed in writing.
Featured: An enhancement that causes an Advertisement to receive elevated placement at the top of search results where the property matches the search criteria entered.
Force Majeure Event: An event of the kind described in clause 22.11.
Inquiry: A message, request, or expression of interest submitted by a Property Finder in respect of an Advertisement and transmitted through the Platform to the Property Advertiser.
Personal Information: Personal information, sensitive personal information, and privileged information as those terms are defined in the Data Privacy Act.
Platform: The website, mobile application, and any successor or associated properties branded as cre-book, including all associated tools, features, databases, and services. The Platform is a digital platform providing advertising, listing, search, and introduction services. It is not an electronic marketplace, and transactions for the sale or lease of property are not concluded on it.
Platform Credits: Prepaid credits issued by TRESSI and redeemable against Fees, subject to Section 9.
Data Privacy Policy: The cre-book Data Privacy Policy published at https://cre-book.com/data-privacy-policy/, as amended from time to time, which forms part of these Terms.
Proforma Invoice: An electronic summary of amounts payable issued under clause 9.5(a). A Proforma Invoice is issued for the User’s reference and internal approval only and is not a BIR-registered invoice.
Property Advertiser: A User who submits Advertisements to market property for sale or lease, including a Registered Owner, a real estate broker registered under RESA, a real estate salesperson accredited under RESA and acting under the supervision of a named broker, a duly constituted attorney-in-fact, or any other party entitled to advertise under clause 6.8(a).
Property Finder: A User who accesses Advertisements to search for or inquire about real estate.
Registered Owner: The person or entity in whose name title to a property is registered, or a party duly authorised to act on that person’s or entity’s behalf.
RESA: Republic Act No. 9646, the Real Estate Service Act of 2009, together with its Implementing Rules and Regulations and the issuances of the Professional Regulation Commission and the Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service.
Sales Invoice: A BIR-registered sales invoice issued by TRESSI under clause 9.5(b).
Enhanced Advertisement: An Advertisement purchased with a Featured or Diamond Display enhancement, labelled in accordance with clause 8.5.
Submitted Content: Any information, data, text, photographs, floor plans, renderings, videos, or other materials submitted to the Platform by a User.
Terms: These Terms and Conditions, together with the Data Privacy Policy and any written agreement entered into under clause 3.3, as amended from time to time.
Third-Party Advertising: Advertising displayed on the Platform on behalf of third parties, including through advertising networks, and labelled as advertising in accordance with clause 8.5.
User: Any individual or entity that accesses or uses the Platform, whether or not they hold an Account, including Property Finders, Property Advertisers, and Visitors.
Verified Advertiser Badge: A visual indicator displayed on a Property Advertiser’s profile confirming completion of the verification process under clause 6.8(e) and awarded under clause 6.10. The badge confirms only that identity and licence documentation was presented and appeared current at the date of verification. It is not an endorsement, is not a warranty of competence or conduct, and does not confirm Authority over any specific property.
Visitor: A person who accesses the Platform without holding an Account.
1.2 In these Terms, the singular includes the plural and vice versa, references to a statute include that statute as amended and any subordinate legislation made under it, and the words “including”, “includes”, and “in particular” are not words of limitation.
2. Acceptance of Terms
2.1 By creating an Account, ticking the acceptance box at registration, or otherwise accessing or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms and agree to be bound by them, as amended from time to time. If you do not agree, you may not use the Platform.
2.2 You agree that your electronic acceptance of these Terms constitutes a valid and binding agreement, and that these Terms, together with all electronic records generated through the Platform, are admissible and enforceable as electronic documents and electronic signatures under Republic Act No. 8792 (Electronic Commerce Act of 2000) and the Rules on Electronic Evidence.
2.3 TRESSI maintains records of your acceptance, including the date, time, Account identifier, and version of the Terms accepted. These records are conclusive evidence of acceptance absent manifest error.
2.4 Acceptance of these Terms is separate from acceptance of the Data Privacy Policy. Both are required at registration.
2.5 Visitors who access the Platform without registering an Account are bound by Sections 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 13, 16, 19, 21, and 22. Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of those provisions.
3. Accounts, Registration, and Eligibility
3.1 Eligibility. Users must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and legally capable of entering into binding contracts. By registering, you represent that you meet these requirements.
3.1A Account types. A User may register as a Property Finder, as a Property Advertiser, or as both. The obligations applying to each role apply to a User acting in that role, regardless of how the Account was originally registered.
3.2 Accurate information. Users shall provide accurate, current, and complete information at registration and shall keep that information up to date. TRESSI may suspend or terminate an Account containing information that is materially inaccurate or that cannot be verified.
3.3 Corporate accounts. An entity may register an Account through an authorised representative, who warrants that they are duly authorised to bind that entity. TRESSI may enter into a separate written agreement with corporate or institutional Users, in which case that agreement prevails over these Terms to the extent of any inconsistency.
3.3A Corporate account administration.
(a) Where an Account is held by an entity, the entity is the User and is responsible for all activity on the Account, including activity carried out by its personnel.
(b) The entity shall nominate at least one authorised administrator for the Account and shall notify TRESSI promptly of any change to that nomination.
(c) Where a nominated administrator ceases to be engaged by the entity, the entity is responsible for revoking that person’s access. On written request from the entity, supported by evidence of authority, TRESSI may transfer administrative control of the Account.
(d) Where TRESSI receives competing claims to control of a corporate Account, TRESSI may suspend the Account until the claims are resolved between the claimants or by a competent authority. TRESSI does not adjudicate such claims.
3.4 Inactive accounts. TRESSI may deactivate an Account that has shown no activity for a continuous period of twelve (12) months, on prior notice to the registered email address. Personal Information associated with a deactivated Account is retained, disposed of, or anonymised in accordance with the retention schedule in the Data Privacy Policy.
3.5 Verification. TRESSI may require a User to verify identity, business registration, professional licensing, or Authority at any time, and may suspend an Account or Advertisement pending verification.
3.6 Account credentials. Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their Account credentials, including passwords and any multi-factor authentication device, and for all activity occurring under their Account, whether or not authorised by them.
3.7 Notification of compromise. Users shall notify TRESSI at admin@cre-book.com immediately on becoming aware of any unauthorised access to or use of their Account, or any other breach of security. TRESSI may suspend an Account pending investigation.
3.8 No sharing. Accounts may not be shared, sold, transferred, or sub-licensed. Corporate Users requiring access for multiple personnel shall obtain the appropriate number of Accounts or a corporate arrangement under clause 3.3.
3.9 TRESSI’s role. TRESSI is not liable for loss arising from a User’s failure to comply with clauses 3.6 to 3.8, or from the use of weak, reused, or compromised credentials.
3.10 Communications.
(a) TRESSI may send Users transactional communications necessary for the operation of the Account and the Platform, including confirmations, invoices, renewal and expiry notices, and security notices. These cannot be unsubscribed from while the Account remains open.
(b) TRESSI may send automated notifications and alerts generated from features the User has activated, including saved searches and saved Advertisements, for so long as those features remain active.
(c) TRESSI may send newsletters, including CRE Intelligence, market updates, and Platform announcements, where the User has subscribed to them.
(d) A User may unsubscribe from communications under paragraphs (b) and (c) at any time, or deactivate the relevant feature, without affecting Account access.
4. Permitted Uses
4.1 The Platform may be used only for the lawful advertising of real estate for sale or lease, and for searching, browsing, and inquiring about such real estate.
4.2 Users shall not use the Platform to advertise property they are not entitled to advertise, to post false, misleading, duplicate, or speculative listings, to harass or spam other Users, to solicit Users for unrelated commercial purposes, or for any purpose prohibited under Section 13.
4.3 TRESSI may set reasonable limits on the number of Advertisements, Inquiries, or Account actions permitted within a given period.
5. Nature of the Service and No Guarantee of Results
5.1 Advertising service. TRESSI provides an advertising, listing, search, and introduction service. The service consists of publishing an Advertisement on the Platform for the Advertisement Term purchased, making it available to Property Finders through the Platform’s search and browse functions, and forwarding Inquiries to the contact details nominated by the Property Advertiser. TRESSI provides no other service in connection with an Advertisement unless separately agreed in writing.
5.2 What Fees are paid for. Fees are paid for the publication and availability of the Advertisement for the Advertisement Term purchased. They are not paid for, and are not conditional upon, any outcome, result, or level of performance.
5.3 No guarantee of results. TRESSI does not guarantee, represent, or warrant that an Advertisement will generate any particular number of views, Inquiries, leads, site viewings, offers, or transactions, or that it will result in the sale, lease, or letting of the property advertised, or in any revenue, commission, or business for the Property Advertiser. Any figures relating to traffic, audience, reach, or performance published by TRESSI or provided during the sales process are indicative estimates only, are not warranted, and do not form part of these Terms.
5.4 Factors outside TRESSI’s control. The Property Advertiser acknowledges that outcomes depend on factors outside TRESSI’s control, including asking price or rent, property condition, location, specification and fit-out, title and documentation, market conditions, competing supply, the completeness and quality of the Submitted Content, and the speed and manner in which the Property Advertiser responds to Inquiries.
5.5 No refund based on outcome. The absence of Inquiries, leads, or transactions arising from an Advertisement is not a defect in the service, is not a ground for refund, credit, extension of term, or re-publication, and is not a ground for withholding or disputing payment. This clause does not affect the Property Advertiser’s rights where TRESSI has failed to publish an Advertisement for the Advertisement Term purchased.
5.6 No brokerage or agency. TRESSI does not act as a real estate broker, salesperson, agent, or representative for any User. TRESSI does not market, negotiate, mediate, or effect any transaction, does not participate in negotiations, and does not receive any commission, success fee, or share of the consideration in any transaction concluded between Users. TRESSI’s remuneration consists solely of advertising and subscription Fees.
5.7 No verification of counterparties. TRESSI does not verify the identity, solvency, capacity, intentions, or bona fides of Property Finders, and does not screen or qualify Inquiries. Inquiries are forwarded as submitted. The Property Advertiser is responsible for conducting its own assessment of any party introduced through the Platform, and for its own due diligence, credit checks, and documentation.
5.8 Availability. TRESSI does not warrant that the Platform or any Advertisement will be available uninterrupted, error-free, or free from delay. Access may be suspended, restricted, or interrupted by reason of scheduled or emergency maintenance, technical faults, third-party service or hosting failure, or any Force Majeure Event. TRESSI shall use reasonable efforts to restore availability but gives no commitment as to the time within which it will do so.
5.9 Requests for extension. A Property Advertiser who believes an Advertisement was unavailable through a fault attributable to TRESSI may request an extension of the Advertisement Term by written notice to admin@cre-book.com, submitted within seven (7) calendar days of the period complained of and stating the dates, times, and nature of the unavailability observed.
5.10 Review and determination. TRESSI shall acknowledge a request under clause 5.9 within five (5) Business Days and shall review it against its own system, hosting, and monitoring records. Where TRESSI confirms that the Advertisement was unavailable for a material period through a fault attributable to TRESSI, TRESSI may grant an extension of the Advertisement Term. Any such extension is granted at TRESSI’s discretion following review, is not automatic, and is the Property Advertiser’s sole and exclusive remedy in respect of unavailability. TRESSI’s system and monitoring records are determinative of whether, and for how long, an Advertisement was unavailable.
5.11 Exclusions. No extension shall be granted where the unavailability arose from or relates to: scheduled maintenance notified on the Platform or by email; a Force Majeure Event; failure or degradation of a third-party network, hosting, or payment provider; the Property Advertiser’s own internet connection, device, browser, or network restrictions; suspension or removal of the Advertisement under Sections 6, 7, 10, or 13; or the Property Advertiser’s own act or omission. No refund, credit, discount, or monetary compensation is payable in respect of unavailability in any circumstance.
5.12 Changes to the Platform. TRESSI may add, modify, redesign, replace, or discontinue any feature, function, layout, or service on the Platform at any time as it continues to develop and improve it. TRESSI is not obliged to maintain any particular feature, design, or interface. Where a change would materially reduce the benefit of an Advertisement or enhancement already paid for, clause 20.4 applies.
6. Advertisement Submission, Approval, and Licensing Compliance
6.1 Submission. Property Advertisers may submit Advertisements through the Platform. Submission does not guarantee publication.
6.2 Review and approval. All Advertisements are subject to review by Admin before publication. TRESSI may approve, reject, or require amendment of an Advertisement at its discretion, including where the Advertisement is incomplete, inaccurate, misleading, duplicative, non-compliant with these Terms, or unsuitable for the Platform.
6.3 Required information. Advertisements shall include all information required by the Platform at the point of submission, including the complete and exact address of the property. Advertisements submitted without complete and accurate property information will be rejected at review.
6.3A No confidential listings. The Platform does not support confidential, off-market, or anonymised listings. Every Advertisement must identify the property completely, including its exact address. A Property Advertiser who holds a mandate requiring the property or its address to be withheld from public disclosure should not submit an Advertisement to the Platform. TRESSI is not liable for any loss arising from a Property Advertiser submitting an Advertisement in breach of a confidentiality obligation owed to a third party, and the indemnity in Section 17 applies.
6.4 Accuracy. Property Advertisers warrant that all information in an Advertisement is accurate, current, and not misleading, and shall update or withdraw an Advertisement promptly when it ceases to be accurate, including when the property is no longer available.
6.5 Images and media. Images and media submitted must depict the property advertised. Stock imagery, renderings, and images of a different property may be used only where clearly labelled as such.
6.5A Prohibited content. TRESSI may reject, suspend, or remove an Advertisement, without refund, where the Advertisement or the property it relates to:
(a) is connected to criminal case records or proceedings, or is the subject of an active criminal investigation;
(b) is derived from, or has been used in, unlawful activity, or is subject to a freeze order, asset preservation order, forfeiture proceeding, or similar restraint;
(c) cannot lawfully be sold or leased, or where its sale or lease would contravene a court order, regulatory restriction, or applicable law;
(d) promotes or facilitates unlawful activity;
(e) contains content that is defamatory, obscene, discriminatory, harassing, or otherwise unlawful; or
(f) TRESSI reasonably considers unsuitable for the Platform.
Property Advertisers warrant that no Advertisement they submit falls within paragraphs (a) to (e), and shall notify TRESSI immediately if an Advertisement comes to fall within them after publication.
6.6A Expiry. An Advertisement is unpublished automatically at the end of its Advertisement Term unless renewed in accordance with Section 9. TRESSI is not obliged to retain, archive, or republish an expired Advertisement.
6.6 Amendment and removal by TRESSI. TRESSI may amend, suspend, or remove an Advertisement at any time where it breaches these Terms or applicable law, without refund except as provided in clause 9.6.
6.7 One Advertisement per property.
(a) Only one Advertisement may be published on the Platform for a given property at any one time. Where a property is already the subject of a published Advertisement, any subsequent submission for the same property will be rejected at review, whether submitted by the same Property Advertiser or by a different one.
(b) Priority is determined by order of submission and settlement. The first Property Advertiser to submit an Advertisement for a property and settle the applicable Fees secures publication for that Advertisement Term.
(c) Identification of duplicate submissions relies on the property information supplied under clause 6.3, including the exact address. This is why complete and accurate property information is a condition of publication.
(d) Where a submission is rejected under paragraph (a), the Advertisement is not published and any Fees paid in respect of it are refunded in full under clause 9.6(a).
(e) Competing mandates. Where more than one Property Advertiser holds Authority over the same property, entitlement to advertise it on the Platform is determined solely by paragraph (b). TRESSI does not adjudicate between competing mandates, does not determine which Property Advertiser holds a superior or exclusive Authority, and takes no position on any commission or agency dispute between them. The published Advertisement runs to expiry, after which another Property Advertiser may submit.
(f) Identification of a duplicate under this clause is an administrative determination based on the information submitted. It is not a determination of Authority, and does not affect the operation of Section 7.
6.8 Real Estate Service Act compliance.
(a) Representation. Every Property Advertiser represents and warrants that it is entitled under RESA to advertise the property concerned, on one of the following bases:
(i) it is a real estate broker holding a current Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card issued by the Professional Regulation Commission;
(ii) it is a real estate salesperson duly accredited by the Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service and acting under the direct supervision and in the name of a named licensed broker. This includes a member of the in-house leasing, sales, or marketing team of a Registered Owner, of a developer, or of an agency engaged by either, unless that person is otherwise exempt under RESA;
(iii) it is the Registered Owner of the property, or a duly constituted attorney-in-fact acting on the Registered Owner’s behalf under a valid special power of attorney. A Property Advertiser relying on this paragraph further represents and warrants that it is acting in a single, private, non-recurring capacity in respect of the property concerned, that it does not receive and will not receive any commission, success fee, brokerage, or other compensation contingent on the sale or lease of the property, and that it does not habitually or regularly perform acts constituting the practice of real estate service. A special power of attorney does not exempt a person who acts for compensation, or who regularly performs real estate service, from the licensing requirements of RESA;
(iv) it is a bank, financial institution, or government instrumentality disposing of acquired or foreclosed assets; or
(v) it is otherwise exempt under RESA.
(b) Authority over the specific property. In addition to paragraph (a), every Property Advertiser represents and warrants that it holds a subsisting Authority in respect of the specific property that is the subject of the Advertisement. The Property Advertiser shall produce evidence of that Authority on request by TRESSI.
(c) Disclosure requirements. Property Advertisers relying on paragraph (a)(i) or (a)(ii) shall provide, and consent to the display of, the following on each Advertisement: the licensed broker’s full name, PRC licence number, PRC licence validity date, and Professional Tax Receipt number. Property Advertisers relying on paragraph (a)(ii) shall additionally identify the supervising broker.
(d) Ongoing accuracy. Property Advertisers shall notify TRESSI within seven (7) calendar days of any lapse, suspension, revocation, or non-renewal of a licence or accreditation relied upon under this clause, and within seven (7) calendar days of the withdrawal, expiry, or termination of any Authority relied upon under paragraph (b). TRESSI may suspend or remove Advertisements pending re-verification.
(e) Verification. TRESSI may verify licence details against Professional Regulation Commission records. Property Advertisers consent to such verification. Successful verification may result in the award of the Verified Advertiser Badge under clause 6.10.
(f) Removal. TRESSI reserves the right to remove any Advertisement, without refund, where the Property Advertiser cannot substantiate its entitlement to advertise under paragraph (a) or its Authority under paragraph (b). TRESSI may report suspected unauthorised practice of real estate service to the Professional Regulation Commission.
(g) No verification of merits. Verification under this clause confirms only the existence and currency of the licence or accreditation presented. It is not an endorsement of the Property Advertiser, is not a warranty as to competence or conduct, and does not constitute independent confirmation by TRESSI that the Property Advertiser holds Authority over the specific property advertised.
6.9 Sole responsibility of the Property Advertiser.
(a) Compliance with RESA, and with every other law applicable to the advertising of the property, is the sole responsibility of the Property Advertiser. The warranties in clauses 6.4, 6.8(a), and 6.8(b) are given by the Property Advertiser to TRESSI and are relied upon by TRESSI in publishing the Advertisement.
(b) TRESSI is under no obligation to any User to verify, monitor, audit, or investigate a Property Advertiser’s licensing, accreditation, Authority, or compliance with law, whether before or after publication.
(c) The review and approval process under clause 6.2 is an editorial and administrative process directed at the presentation and completeness of an Advertisement. It is not a legal, licensing, or title verification, and no User may rely on it as such.
(d) Where TRESSI exercises a right under clause 6.8(e) or clause 14.2 to verify a licence, accreditation, or Authority, it does so voluntarily and for its own purposes. Exercising that right in any instance does not create an obligation to do so in any other instance, does not amount to a representation to any User that verification has been carried out, and does not waive TRESSI’s position under paragraph (b).
(e) No User acquires any right against TRESSI by reason of TRESSI having published, reviewed, verified, declined to verify, or failed to detect non-compliance in an Advertisement. Section 16 applies.
(f) This clause does not limit any obligation TRESSI owes to a competent Philippine authority, including under the Internet Transactions Act, and does not limit TRESSI’s rights under clauses 6.6, 6.8(f), or Section 10.
6.10 Verified Advertiser Badge.
(a) Nature of the Badge. The Verified Advertiser Badge is a visual indicator awarded by TRESSI and displayed on a Property Advertiser’s profile and Advertisements. The Badge remains the property of TRESSI at all times. It is a privilege granted at TRESSI’s discretion and is not a right acquired by payment of Fees or by holding an Account.
(b) Application. A Property Advertiser may apply for the Badge by submitting the documents TRESSI requires, which may include proof of identity, business registration, Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card issued by the Professional Regulation Commission, Professional Tax Receipt, accreditation documents, and details of a supervising broker.
(c) Criteria. TRESSI may award the Badge where it is satisfied that the documents submitted are complete and appear current, that the details correspond with Professional Regulation Commission records where those are available, and that the Property Advertiser has no unresolved complaint or breach outstanding under these Terms. TRESSI may decline an application without giving reasons.
(d) No fee. No Fee is charged for the award, renewal, or maintenance of the Badge. The Badge is not a paid service, is not part of any advertising plan or enhancement, and is not purchasable.
(e) Validity and annual renewal. The Badge is granted for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of award and must be renewed annually. It expires automatically on the earliest of: twelve (12) months from the date of award; the expiry of the professional licence or accreditation on which it was granted; the date TRESSI withdraws it under paragraph (f); and the closure or termination of the Account.
(e1) Renewal process. TRESSI shall notify the Property Advertiser by email not less than thirty (30) calendar days before the Badge is due to expire. The Property Advertiser shall resubmit the documents required under paragraph (b), updated as necessary, before the expiry date. Where renewal is not completed by the expiry date, the Badge lapses and is removed from the Property Advertiser’s profile and Advertisements until renewal is completed. Lapse of the Badge does not of itself affect the publication of an Advertisement, but does affect ranking under clause 8.4.
(f) Withdrawal. TRESSI may withdraw or suspend the Badge at any time, without notice and without refund of any Fees, where:
(i) a licence or accreditation relied upon lapses, is suspended, is revoked, or is not renewed;
(ii) the Property Advertiser fails to notify TRESSI under clause 6.8(d);
(iii) documents submitted are found to be inaccurate, incomplete, altered, or falsified;
(iv) the Property Advertiser fails to complete re-verification when requested;
(v) an Advertisement is removed under clause 7.5 or clause 6.8(f); or
(vi) the Property Advertiser is in breach of these Terms or is the subject of a substantiated complaint.
(g) Use of the Badge. The Property Advertiser is granted a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to display the Badge only as presented by TRESSI on the Platform. The Property Advertiser shall not reproduce, alter, or display the Badge or the cre-book name or logo on any website, marketing material, social media channel, business card, signage, or other medium outside the Platform without TRESSI’s prior written consent. The Property Advertiser shall not represent itself as verified, accredited, endorsed, or approved by TRESSI beyond the terms of paragraph (h), and shall cease all representation of verified status immediately upon withdrawal of the Badge.
(h) What the Badge does not mean. The Badge confirms only that the documents described in paragraph (b) were presented to TRESSI and appeared current at the date of verification. It is not an endorsement or recommendation of the Property Advertiser, is not a warranty as to competence, conduct, solvency, or performance, does not confirm Authority over any specific property, and does not mean that TRESSI has verified any Advertisement, property, title, or statement of fact. Clause 6.9 applies to the award, withholding, and withdrawal of the Badge.
(i) No liability. No User acquires any right against TRESSI by reason of TRESSI having awarded, declined to award, maintained, suspended, or withdrawn the Badge in respect of any Property Advertiser, or by reason of having relied on it. Section 16 applies.
(j) Effect on ranking. Holding a current Badge is one of the factors in clause 8.4. It does not guarantee any search position and does not substitute for a Featured enhancement under clause 8.5.
7. Owner Objections and Advertisement Takedown
7.1 Presumption of Authority. An Advertisement published on the Platform is presumed to have been posted by a Property Advertiser holding a subsisting Authority, as represented and warranted under clause 6.8(b). TRESSI does not independently verify Authority at the point of publication.
7.2 Referral to the Property Advertiser. Where a person claiming to be the Registered Owner of an advertised property requests removal of an Advertisement, TRESSI shall refer the request to the Property Advertiser for action within five (5) Business Days of receipt. The Property Advertiser shall respond to TRESSI and to the requesting party within three (3) Business Days of referral. Failure to respond within that period is a factor TRESSI may take into account under clause 7.4(b).
7.2A Interim suspension. Notwithstanding clause 7.3, TRESSI may unpublish or hide an Advertisement at any time pending verification where, in TRESSI’s reasonable assessment, the complaint discloses a credible allegation of fraud, impersonation, or misrepresentation, or where continued publication may cause loss to any person. Interim suspension under this clause is a precaution and is not a determination of Authority. Where the Advertisement is subsequently restored, TRESSI shall extend the Advertisement Term by the period of suspension.
7.3 Default position pending resolution. The Advertisement shall remain published for the balance of its Advertisement Term while the matter is being resolved between the requesting party and the Property Advertiser. TRESSI does not remove an Advertisement solely on the basis of an unsubstantiated request.
7.4 Escalation to TRESSI. Where the matter is not resolved between the requesting party and the Property Advertiser, the requesting party may escalate to TRESSI at admin@cre-book.com. TRESSI shall act only where the requesting party furnishes both of the following:
(a) valid proof that the requesting party is the Registered Owner of the property, or is duly authorised to act on the Registered Owner’s behalf; and
(b) documentary evidence that instructions to withdraw or amend the Advertisement were communicated to the Property Advertiser, and that those instructions were not addressed within the period in clause 7.2 or within any period stated in the instructions, whichever is longer.
7.5 Effect. Where both requirements in clause 7.4 are satisfied, the Property Advertiser is deemed to be in breach of its representation and warranty under clause 6.8(b), and TRESSI shall remove the Advertisement. TRESSI may in addition suspend the Property Advertiser’s Account, withdraw any Verified Advertiser Badge, and report the matter to the Professional Regulation Commission where the Property Advertiser is a licensed broker or accredited salesperson.
7.6 No refund. No refund, credit, or extension of term is due to a Property Advertiser whose Advertisement is removed under clause 7.5. The Fees retained by TRESSI in that event are agreed by the parties to represent liquidated damages and reimbursement of the administrative, review, verification, and dispute-handling costs incurred by TRESSI, and not a penalty. The parties agree that those costs are difficult to quantify precisely and that the Fees retained are a reasonable pre-estimate of them.
7.7 No Authority at any time. Clauses 7.2 to 7.4 do not apply where the requesting party asserts, and supports with valid proof of ownership, that no Authority was ever granted to the Property Advertiser, or that the Advertisement is fraudulent or impersonates the Registered Owner or another party. In such cases TRESSI shall assess the report under clause 14.4 and may remove the Advertisement immediately, without referral to the Property Advertiser and without refund. The Property Advertiser may contest the removal within fifteen (15) calendar days by producing evidence of a subsisting Authority, and TRESSI shall restore the Advertisement for the balance of its Advertisement Term if satisfied by that evidence.
7.8 Limits of TRESSI’s role. TRESSI’s assessment under this Section is administrative and is made solely for the purpose of determining whether an Advertisement should remain published. It is not a determination of title, agency, entitlement to commission, or any other legal right between the requesting party and the Property Advertiser, and does not preclude either from pursuing remedies elsewhere.
7.9 Claiming an authorised Advertisement. Where an Advertisement was posted with the Registered Owner’s Authority and the Registered Owner subsequently wishes to take over the listing rather than have it removed, the Registered Owner may submit a claim supported by valid proof of ownership. In such cases the existing Property Advertiser’s Advertisement Term shall be allowed to run to expiry, and the Registered Owner shall pay the applicable Fee in advance for the succeeding term.
8. Advertiser Responsiveness, Search Ranking, and Paid Placement
8.1 Responsiveness. Property Advertisers shall respond to Inquiries promptly and shall maintain accurate contact details on their Account.
8.2 Measurement. TRESSI may measure responsiveness, including response rate and time to first response, and may display responsiveness indicators on a Property Advertiser’s profile.
8.3 Consequences. Property Advertisers who consistently fail to respond to Inquiries may be flagged, may receive lower placement in search results, and may have Advertisements suspended or Accounts terminated under Section 10.
8.4 Search ranking. The order in which Advertisements appear in search results is determined by a combination of the following: whether the Advertisement has been purchased with a Featured enhancement, relevance to the search criteria entered, completeness and quality of the Advertisement, recency of the Advertisement and of its last update, the Property Advertiser’s responsiveness as measured under clause 8.2, and whether the Property Advertiser holds a current Verified Advertiser Badge under clause 6.10. Except as stated in clause 8.5(a)(i), these factors carry no fixed order of weighting.
8.5 Enhancements.
(a) All Advertisements published on the Platform are paid. Advertisements may additionally be purchased with the following enhancements:
(i) Featured, which places the Advertisement at the top of the search results page where the property matches the search criteria entered; and
(ii) Diamond Display, which presents the Advertisement as an enlarged property card showing additional property details in the search results page.
(b) Enhanced Advertisements are labelled as featured or otherwise identified as promoted placements.
(c) Where more than one Featured Advertisement matches the search criteria entered, those Advertisements share the highest position in the search results on a rotating basis, so that each is presented in the highest position for a proportionate share of matching searches. Featured Advertisements not occupying the highest position in a given search are ordered among themselves according to the remaining factors in clause 8.4.
(d) Third-Party Advertising is labelled as advertising and is not an Advertisement within the meaning of these Terms.
8.6 No guarantee of position or outcome.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), TRESSI does not guarantee any particular search position or level of visibility in respect of any Advertisement.
(b) An Advertisement purchased with a Featured enhancement will receive elevated placement in accordance with clause 8.5(a)(i) for the period purchased, where the property matches the search criteria entered. Where other Featured Advertisements also match, placement among them is determined by the rotation in clause 8.5(c), and TRESSI gives no guarantee as to position in any individual search.
(c) TRESSI does not guarantee any number of views, Inquiries, leads, or transactions in respect of any Advertisement, whether or not enhanced. Clause 5.3 applies to Enhanced Advertisements in the same way as to all other Advertisements.
(d) TRESSI may change its ranking criteria at any time. Where a change would materially reduce the benefit of an enhancement already paid for, clause 20.4 applies.
8A. Property Finders
8A.1 Access without charge. Access to the Platform as a Property Finder, including searching, browsing, and submitting Inquiries, is provided without charge. TRESSI may introduce Fees for Property Finder services on not less than thirty (30) calendar days’ notice, which will not apply to any service already paid for.
8A.2 Genuine inquiries. Property Finders shall submit Inquiries only where they have a genuine interest in the property concerned, shall provide accurate contact and identifying information, and shall not misrepresent their identity, organisation, capacity, or requirement.
8A.3 Consent to transmission of contact details. Submitting an Inquiry triggers an automated direct transmission of the Inquiry to the Property Advertiser responsible for the Advertisement concerned. By submitting an Inquiry, the Property Finder consents to the transmission of their name, contact details, and the content of the Inquiry to that Property Advertiser, and acknowledges that the Property Advertiser becomes an independent Personal Information Controller in respect of that information immediately upon transmission, in accordance with clause 15.4. Transmission is automated and is not conditional on review by Admin. The Property Finder acknowledges that TRESSI does not control the Property Advertiser’s subsequent handling of that information, and that any complaint concerning it may be raised with TRESSI under clause 15.5 or directly with the National Privacy Commission.
8A.4 Extent of TRESSI’s review, and independent due diligence.
(a) Advertisements are prepared and submitted by Property Advertisers, who warrant to TRESSI under clauses 6.4, 6.8(a), and 6.8(b) that the information they supply is accurate and not misleading, and that they are lawfully entitled to advertise the property concerned. Every Property Advertiser accepts these Terms as a condition of publication.
(b) TRESSI reviews Advertisements before publication under clause 6.2 and may verify a Property Advertiser’s licence, accreditation, or identity under clauses 6.8(e) and 14.2. That review and verification is limited in scope. It is directed at the presentation and completeness of the Advertisement and at the standing of the Property Advertiser. It does not extend to inspecting the property, confirming title, measuring floor areas, confirming permitted use, or independently confirming any statement of fact in the Advertisement.
(c) Accordingly, before entering into any transaction, a Property Finder should independently verify title and ownership, floor area and measurements, condition and specification, permitted use and zoning, occupancy permits and regulatory compliance, price or rent and all associated charges, and availability. Property Finders should inspect the property and engage their own legal, technical, and financial advisers.
(d) A Property Finder should not treat an Advertisement, or TRESSI’s review of it, as a substitute for their own due diligence.
8A.5 No payments through the Platform.
(a) No transaction for the sale or lease of property is concluded or paid for on the Platform. TRESSI does not collect, hold, escrow, or transmit reservation fees, deposits, rent, purchase consideration, commission, or any other payment on behalf of a Property Advertiser or a Property Finder.
(b) TRESSI will never request payment of any such amount, and no communication requesting it should be treated as originating from TRESSI. Communications purporting to do so should be reported immediately to admin@cre-book.com.
(c) Property Finders are strongly advised not to remit any funds to any party introduced through the Platform before independently verifying that party’s identity, professional licence, and Authority over the property.
8A.6 Reporting. Property Finders may report an Advertisement or a Property Advertiser that appears fraudulent, unlawful, misleading, or unauthorised to admin@cre-book.com. Reports are handled under clause 14.4.
8A.7 Conduct. Property Finders shall not use the Platform to harass, spam, or repeatedly contact Property Advertisers without cause, to submit Inquiries in bulk or by automated means, to solicit Property Advertisers for goods or services unrelated to the property advertised, or to collect or compile the contact details of Property Advertisers for any purpose other than making a genuine Inquiry.
8A.8 Inquiry content. Notwithstanding clause 11.3, TRESSI uses the content of an Inquiry only for the purposes of transmitting it to the Property Advertiser and the purposes set out in clause 15.7(b). Inquiry content is not published as an Advertisement, and clauses 11.3(c) and 11.3(d) do not apply to it. Clause 11.6 applies to Inquiry metadata and statistics of the kind described in clauses 11.6(e) and 15.7A, but not to the substantive content of an Inquiry or to any information identifying a Property Finder.
8A.9 Communications. Communications with Property Finders are governed by clause 3.10.
8A.10 Account closure. A Property Finder may close their Account at any time under clause 10.1. Closure of an Account does not withdraw an Inquiry already transmitted to a Property Advertiser, and does not affect that Property Advertiser’s independent obligations under clause 15.4.
8A.11 Statutory rights. Nothing in these Terms limits any right a Property Finder may have under Republic Act No. 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), the Data Privacy Act, or any other applicable Philippine law.
9. Fees, Payments, and Taxes
9.1 Fees. Fees for Advertisements, subscriptions, and other paid services are as published on the Platform at the time of purchase, or as separately agreed in writing under clause 3.3.
9.2 Payment. Fees are payable in advance. Advertisements are published following confirmation of settlement, subject to review and approval under clause 6.2.
9.2A Payment verification and fraud prevention.
(a) TRESSI may verify the authenticity and source of any payment, and may delay publication of an Advertisement pending completion of those checks.
(b) TRESSI may require additional information or documentation from a User in connection with a payment, including evidence of the payment instrument used or the identity of the payer.
(c) TRESSI may decline, reverse, or refund a payment it reasonably believes to be fraudulent, unauthorised, or made in contravention of applicable law.
(d) Fraudulent or unauthorised payment activity is a ground for immediate suspension or termination under clause 10.2, without refund.
(e) Delay in publication arising from checks under this clause is not a failure to publish for the purposes of clause 9.6(a), and clauses 5.9 to 5.11 do not apply to it.
9.3 Credits and coupons.
(a) TRESSI may issue Platform Credits, promotional coupons, discount codes, and similar instruments redeemable against Fees.
(b) Platform Credits and coupons are not redeemable for cash, are not transferable, and may not be combined with other offers unless expressly stated.
(c) The validity period, expiry date, and conditions of use of a Platform Credit or coupon vary according to the instrument concerned and are those stated at the time of issue or award. Where no period is stated, the instrument expires twelve (12) months from the date of issue.
(d) TRESSI may cancel a Platform Credit or coupon obtained through error, fraud, or breach of these Terms.
(e) Platform Credits and coupons are applied against Fees exclusive of value-added tax. Value-added tax remains payable on the net amount charged.
9.4 Taxes.
(a) All Fees quoted on the Platform are stated in Philippine Pesos (PHP) and are exclusive of value-added tax. Value-added tax at the prevailing statutory rate is added at checkout and shown separately before payment is confirmed.
(b) TRESSI is a VAT-registered taxpayer in the Philippines. TRESSI shall charge, collect, and remit value-added tax in accordance with the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and shall reflect the same on the Sales Invoice issued to the User.
(c) Where a User is required by Philippine law to withhold taxes on payments to TRESSI, the User shall furnish TRESSI with the corresponding BIR Form 2307 (Certificate of Creditable Tax Withheld at Source) within the period prescribed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Where the certificate is not furnished within that period, TRESSI may bill the User for the withheld amount, and the User shall settle it within fifteen (15) calendar days of demand.
(d) Users remain responsible for their own income, business, and local taxes arising from their use of the Platform and from any transaction concluded with a counterparty introduced through the Platform.
(e) Bank charges, payment gateway fees, and currency conversion costs imposed by the User’s payment provider are for the User’s account.
9.5 Proforma Invoices, Sales Invoices, and receipts.
(a) Upon submission of an order for an Advertisement or other paid service, TRESSI shall issue a Proforma Invoice summarising the services ordered, the Fees payable, the value-added tax component, and the total amount due. A Proforma Invoice is a summary of amounts payable for the User’s reference and internal approval. It is not a demand for payment recognised for tax purposes, does not evidence a completed sale, and does not entitle the User to claim input tax.
(b) Upon settlement of the amount due, TRESSI shall issue a Sales Invoice in electronic form, containing the particulars required under Philippine tax regulations. Electronic issuance and transmission is made in accordance with Republic Act No. 8792 and applicable Bureau of Internal Revenue issuances.
(c) Users are responsible for providing an accurate registered business name, registered address, and Taxpayer Identification Number before a Sales Invoice is issued. TRESSI is not obliged to reissue, amend, or cancel a Sales Invoice arising from inaccurate details supplied by the User, except as required by Bureau of Internal Revenue rules.
9.6 Refunds.
(a) Refunds are granted only where TRESSI has failed to publish an Advertisement for the Advertisement Term purchased, where a duplicate or erroneous charge has been made, or where TRESSI removes an Advertisement for a reason not attributable to the Property Advertiser.
(b) No refund, credit, or extension is due where an Advertisement is removed under clauses 6.5A, 6.8(f), 7.5, or 7.7, where an Account is terminated under clauses 10.2 or 10.3, or on any ground falling within clause 5.5 or 5.11. Fees retained in those circumstances are agreed to represent liquidated damages and reimbursement of TRESSI’s administrative and review costs, on the basis set out in clause 7.6, and not a penalty.
(c) Where a refund is granted, TRESSI shall process it within thirty (30) calendar days of approval. The time taken for the refunded amount to reach the User depends on the method of payment and is not within TRESSI’s control. As a guide:
(i) where payment was made by bank transfer, TRESSI shall remit the refund within five (5) Business Days of approval; and
(ii) where payment was made by credit or debit card, the refund is remitted to the card issuer and posting to the User’s account is subject to the issuer’s own processing times.
TRESSI may, with the User’s agreement, provide a refund as Platform Credits instead.
(d) A Property Advertiser may cancel an Advertisement before publication and receive a full refund. Once an Advertisement is published, no refund is due for the unexpired portion of the Advertisement Term.
9.7 Term and renewal. Advertisements and subscription plans run for the term selected at purchase. Where a plan is designated as recurring at the point of purchase, it renews automatically for successive terms of the same duration at the then-current rate, unless cancelled in accordance with clause 9.8.
9.8 Cancellation of renewal. A User may cancel automatic renewal at any time through the Account dashboard or by written notice to admin@cre-book.com, in each case not less than seven (7) calendar days before the renewal date. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current paid term. The Advertisement remains published for the balance of the term already paid for. No pro-rata refund is due for the unexpired portion of a term cancelled by the User.
9.9 Renewal notice. TRESSI shall notify the User by email not less than fourteen (14) calendar days before each automatic renewal, stating the renewal date, the term, and the amount payable.
9.10 Price changes. TRESSI may vary its published rates. A rate change does not affect a term already paid for. TRESSI shall give not less than thirty (30) calendar days’ notice of a rate change affecting a recurring plan, and the User may cancel renewal under clause 9.8 before the new rate takes effect.
9.11 Failed payment. Where a renewal payment fails, TRESSI shall notify the User and may suspend the affected Advertisements. TRESSI shall re-attempt payment for up to seven (7) calendar days, after which the Advertisement may be unpublished. Advertisements unpublished for non-payment may be restored on settlement, without extension of the original Advertisement Term.
9.12 Chargebacks. Where a User initiates a chargeback or payment reversal in respect of a settled transaction, TRESSI may suspend the User’s Account and unpublish its Advertisements pending resolution with the payment provider. Where the chargeback is determined to be without merit, TRESSI may recover the disputed amount together with any fee imposed on TRESSI by the payment provider.
9.13 Payment disputes. A User disputing a charge shall notify TRESSI at admin@cre-book.com within thirty (30) calendar days of the Sales Invoice date. Charges not disputed within that period are deemed accepted.
10. Suspension and Termination
10.1 Termination by the User. A User may close their Account at any time through the Account dashboard or by notice to admin@cre-book.com. Closure does not entitle the User to a refund except as provided in clause 9.6.
10.2 Termination by TRESSI for cause. TRESSI may suspend or terminate an Account, and remove any or all Advertisements, immediately and without refund, where the User has breached these Terms, has provided false or misleading information, has breached clause 6.8, has engaged in fraudulent or unlawful conduct, has misused Personal Information, or has otherwise acted in a manner that in TRESSI’s reasonable assessment exposes TRESSI or other Users to legal, regulatory, or reputational risk.
10.3 Suspension pending investigation. TRESSI may suspend an Account or Advertisement pending investigation of a complaint, verification request, or suspected breach. Suspension is not an admission or determination of breach.
10.4 Termination by TRESSI without cause. TRESSI may terminate an Account without cause on thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice. In such case TRESSI shall refund the Fees paid for the unexpired portion of any Advertisement Term on a pro-rata basis.
10.5 Effect of termination. On termination, the User’s right to access the Platform ceases and Advertisements are unpublished. Termination does not affect accrued rights or liabilities.
10.6 Survival. Sections 1, 5, 9 (in respect of amounts accrued), 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and 22 survive termination or expiry of these Terms.
10.7 Reinstatement. A User whose Account has been suspended or terminated may request reinstatement by written notice to admin@cre-book.com. Reinstatement is at TRESSI’s sole discretion and may be made conditional on verification of identity, business registration, or professional licensing, on settlement of outstanding amounts, on removal or amendment of non-compliant Advertisements, or on such other measures as TRESSI requires. Reinstatement does not restore an Advertisement Term that expired during suspension, and does not of itself entitle the User to a refund, credit, or extension.
11. Intellectual Property and Content Rights
11.1 TRESSI’s intellectual property. All intellectual property rights in the Platform, including its software, source code, design, user interface, database structure, compilations, trade marks, logos, and the cre-book name, are and remain the sole property of TRESSI. Nothing in these Terms transfers any such right to any User. Users are granted a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to access and use the Platform for its intended purpose, subject to these Terms.
11.2 Ownership of Submitted Content. Users retain ownership of the intellectual property rights in their Submitted Content.
11.3 Licence to TRESSI. By submitting content to the Platform, the User grants TRESSI a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid-up, sub-licensable, and transferable licence to host, store, reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly display, distribute, and communicate the Submitted Content, for the purposes of:
(a) operating, providing, and improving the Platform;
(b) creating derivative works consisting of resizing, cropping, compressing, watermarking, format conversion, thumbnail generation, and similar technical adaptations necessary for display across devices and channels;
(c) syndicating, distributing, and displaying Advertisements on TRESSI’s social media channels, partner websites, portals, newsletters, and marketing materials, including CRE Intelligence; and
(d) promoting the Platform and the Advertisement.
11.4 Duration and archival. The licence in clause 11.3(a) to (c) is granted for the period during which the Submitted Content is published on the Platform, and continues thereafter for a period of sixty (60) months in respect of copies already syndicated, cached, or distributed under clause 11.3(c) which cannot reasonably be recalled. TRESSI may retain an archival copy of Submitted Content indefinitely for legal, regulatory, audit, and dispute resolution purposes, and for the purposes permitted under clause 11.6.
11.5 User warranty. The User represents and warrants that it owns or holds all necessary rights, licences, and consents in the Submitted Content, including in respect of photographs, floor plans, renderings, videos, drone footage, and text prepared by third parties, and that publication of the Submitted Content on the Platform does not infringe the rights of any person. The User further warrants that it has obtained the consent of any identifiable individual appearing in the Submitted Content. The indemnity in Section 17 applies to any claim arising from a breach of this clause.
11.6 Aggregated and derived data. TRESSI may collect, extract, aggregate, anonymise, and analyse data arising from Advertisements and Platform activity, including asking rents, asking prices, floor areas, unit configurations, building attributes, locations, listing durations, search and browsing patterns, and Inquiry metadata of the kind described in clause 15.7A, and may use the resulting Aggregated Data without restriction, including to:
(a) produce market reports, indices, benchmarks, vacancy and rental analyses, and other market intelligence, including under the CRE Intelligence brand;
(b) develop, train, test, and improve the Platform’s features, including search, valuation, matching, and recommendation functionality;
(c) license, publish, distribute, and commercialise such data and reports to third parties; and
(d) support TRESSI’s own business planning and marketing.
(e) Inquiry statistics. For the avoidance of doubt, Aggregated Data includes counts and statistics derived from Inquiries, such as the total number of Inquiries made on the Platform in a given period, the proportion of Inquiries relating to each property type, location, or size range, and patterns in demand over time. Aggregated Data of this kind does not include, and shall not be derived in a manner that reveals, the name, contact details, or identity of any Property Finder, or the substantive content of any Inquiry.
(f) Safeguards. Aggregated Data used under this clause shall not identify an individual Property Advertiser or Property Finder, and shall not reproduce a specific Advertisement in a form that identifies the Property Advertiser, without that party’s consent. Before use, TRESSI shall strip listing identifiers, Property Advertiser identifiers, and Account identifiers from the underlying data. TRESSI shall not publish or license Aggregated Data at a level of granularity that would permit a recipient to reverse-engineer the terms of an individual mandate, the identity of a Property Advertiser, or the commercial terms of a specific transaction. Nothing in this clause permits TRESSI to disclose the terms of an exclusive agency or listing agreement between a Property Advertiser and a Registered Owner, or any information supplied to TRESSI in confidence and not published as part of an Advertisement.
(g) Duration. Rights under this clause are perpetual, irrevocable, and survive termination of the User’s Account and of these Terms.
11.7 Restrictions on Users. Users may not, and may not permit any third party to:
(a) scrape, crawl, spider, harvest, index, or otherwise extract data from the Platform by automated or systematic means;
(b) use the Platform or any content on it to train, fine-tune, ground, benchmark, or otherwise develop any machine learning model, large language model, or artificial intelligence system;
(c) copy, reproduce, republish, mirror, frame, or redistribute any material part of the Platform or its listing database;
(d) reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Platform, except to the extent this restriction cannot lawfully be excluded;
(e) circumvent, disable, or interfere with any access control, rate limit, robots exclusion protocol, or security feature; or
(f) use any automated agent, bot, or script to access the Platform, other than a search engine crawler operating in compliance with the Platform’s published robots.txt.
11.8 Reservation. TRESSI expressly reserves all rights in the Platform and its contents in respect of text and data mining and artificial intelligence training. No such use is permitted, and no licence is granted, whether by these Terms, by the robots.txt file, or by the accessibility of content to automated systems.
12. Intellectual Property Complaints
12.1 Reporting. A person who believes that content published on the Platform infringes their intellectual property rights may submit a notice to admin@cre-book.com containing: identification of the content complained of and its location on the Platform; identification of the right asserted and the basis for the claim; a statement that the complainant is the rights holder or authorised to act on their behalf; the complainant’s name, address, and contact details; and a statement that the information in the notice is accurate.
12.2 Assessment. TRESSI shall acknowledge a complete notice within five (5) Business Days and shall assess it within seven (7) Business Days of acknowledgement. TRESSI may remove or disable access to the content complained of pending assessment.
12.3 Counter-notice. TRESSI shall notify the User who submitted the content of the substance of the complaint. That User may submit a counter-notice within ten (10) calendar days, setting out the basis on which they assert the right to publish the content and providing supporting evidence. TRESSI may restore the content where satisfied by the counter-notice.
12.4 Repeat infringers. TRESSI may suspend or terminate the Account of a User who is the subject of repeated substantiated infringement complaints.
12.5 Not a determination. Action or inaction by TRESSI under this Section is administrative and is not a determination of any party’s rights under Republic Act No. 8293 or otherwise, and does not preclude either party from pursuing remedies elsewhere.
12.6 Bad faith notices. A person who knowingly submits a materially false notice under this Section may be liable to TRESSI and to the affected User for resulting loss.
13. Security, Compliance, and Fair Use
13.1 Prohibited conduct. Users shall not introduce malicious code to the Platform, attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Platform or to any Account, interfere with or disrupt the Platform or its infrastructure, impose an unreasonable load on the Platform, or attempt to probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of any system.
13.2 Fair use. TRESSI may impose rate limits, usage caps, and technical restrictions, and may throttle or block access that in its reasonable assessment is abusive, automated, or inconsistent with normal use.
13.3 Compliance with Philippine law. Users agree to comply with all applicable Philippine laws, rules, and regulations in connection with their use of the Platform and with any property advertised on it, including without limitation:
(a) RESA;
(b) the Data Privacy Act;
(c) Republic Act No. 11967 (Internet Transactions Act of 2023) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations;
(d) Republic Act No. 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines);
(e) Republic Act No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines);
(f) Republic Act No. 9160, as amended (Anti-Money Laundering Act), where applicable to the User’s own activities;
(g) applicable national and local zoning, land use, building, and property registration laws; and
(h) applicable advertising, fair trade, and competition laws.
13.4 Users accessing the Platform from outside the Philippines remain responsible for compliance with the laws of their own jurisdiction, in addition to clause 13.3.
14. Platform Obligations under the Internet Transactions Act
14.1 Status. TRESSI operates the Platform as a digital platform within the meaning of Republic Act No. 11967 (Internet Transactions Act of 2023) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Platform provides advertising, search, and introduction services only. Transactions for the sale or lease of property are not concluded, consummated, or processed on the Platform. TRESSI is not a party to, and does not broker, negotiate, guarantee, or receive commission on, any sale, lease, or other transaction concluded between Users.
14.2 Onboarding of Property Advertisers.
(a) TRESSI may request from any Property Advertiser, at onboarding or at any time thereafter, such identity, business registration, professional licensing, tax registration, Authority, and contact information as TRESSI considers necessary to satisfy its obligations under the Internet Transactions Act and RESA. This may include government-issued identification of the individual submitting an Advertisement or acting for a corporate Property Advertiser.
(b) Property Advertisers shall provide the information requested and shall keep it current. TRESSI may decline to publish, may suspend, or may remove an Advertisement where requested information is not provided, or where the information provided cannot be verified.
(c) TRESSI maintains a register of Property Advertiser as required under the Internet Transactions Act.
(d) This clause applies to Property Advertisers. TRESSI does not require identity verification of Property Finders as a condition of browsing Advertisements or submitting an Inquiry.
14.3 Business identification. Property Advertisers transacting in the ordinary course of business represent that they are registered with the Department of Trade and Industry or the Securities and Exchange Commission, as applicable, and with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and shall furnish registration details on request.
14.4 Unlawful listings. TRESSI maintains a mechanism for the receipt, assessment, and takedown of Advertisements that are unlawful, fraudulent, or misleading. Reports may be submitted to admin@cre-book.com. TRESSI shall acknowledge a report within one (1) Business Day. Where a report discloses a credible allegation of fraud, impersonation, or unlawful content, TRESSI shall assess it as a priority and may unpublish the Advertisement immediately pending assessment. All other reports shall be assessed within seven (7) Business Days of acknowledgement. Disputes as to Authority over a property are handled under Section 7.
14.5 Redress. Users may raise complaints concerning the Platform to admin@cre-book.com. Where a complaint is not resolved to the User’s satisfaction, the User may escalate to the E-Commerce Bureau of the Department of Trade and Industry.
14.6 Records. TRESSI retains records of Advertisements, Users, and Platform activity for the period required under applicable law and as set out in the Data Privacy Policy, and shall make them available to competent authorities on lawful request.
15. Data Privacy
15.1 Refer to the Data Privacy Policy. TRESSI is the Personal Information Controller in respect of Personal Information collected through the Platform. The collection, use, storage, disclosure, sharing, retention, and disposal of Personal Information, the legal bases for processing, the retention schedule, the use of cookies and similar technologies, cross-border transfers, and the procedure for exercising data subject rights are set out in full in the Data Privacy Policy, available at https://cre-book.com/data-privacy-policy/. Users should refer to that document for all matters relating to the processing of Personal Information.
15.2 Incorporation and acceptance. The Data Privacy Policy forms part of these Terms and is incorporated by reference. Users are required to review and accept the Data Privacy Policy separately at registration. Where these Terms and the Data Privacy Policy conflict on a matter of data processing, the Data Privacy Policy prevails.
15.3 Data Protection Officer. TRESSI’s Data Protection Officer may be contacted at admin@cre-book.com.
15.3A Obligations of Property Advertisers. Clauses 15.4 to 15.8 impose obligations on Users and are therefore set out in these Terms rather than in the Data Privacy Policy.
15.4 Property Advertiser as independent controller. Inquiries are transmitted by the Platform directly and automatically to the Property Advertiser nominated for the Advertisement concerned. A Property Advertiser who receives Personal Information of a Property Finder through the Platform acts as an independent Personal Information Controller in respect of that information from the point of receipt, and determines for itself the purposes and means of any further processing. The Property Advertiser shall process it only for the purpose of responding to the specific Inquiry, shall implement reasonable and appropriate organisational, physical, and technical security measures, and shall comply with the Data Privacy Act in its own right.
15.4A Transfer standards. In respect of Personal Information transferred to a Property Advertiser under clause 15.4, the Property Advertiser shall: process it only for the purpose for which it was transferred; apply organisational, physical, and technical security measures no less protective than those required under the Data Privacy Act; restrict access to personnel who require it; not transfer it onward to any third party without a lawful basis; retain it only for as long as necessary for the purpose of the Inquiry; and dispose of it securely thereafter. The Property Advertiser shall, on request, provide TRESSI with reasonable information about its handling of such Personal Information, and shall cooperate with TRESSI in responding to any data subject request or regulatory enquiry relating to it. This clause is intended to operate as, and constitutes, the data sharing arrangement between TRESSI and the Property Advertiser for the purposes of the Data Privacy Act. No separate written agreement is required, and acceptance of these Terms by the Property Advertiser constitutes its agreement to this clause.
15.5 Prohibited use of contact data. Property Advertisers shall not add Property Finder contact details to marketing lists, transfer or sell them to third parties, or use them for any purpose other than responding to the specific Inquiry, without the separate consent of the data subject. Breach of this clause is a ground for immediate suspension under clause 10.2.
15.6 Breach notification. Each party shall notify the other without undue delay, and in any case within twenty-four (24) hours of becoming aware, of any personal data breach affecting information obtained through the Platform, and shall cooperate in any notification required to the National Privacy Commission and affected data subjects.
15.7 System records and audit log.
(a) Inquiries transmitted through the Platform are recorded automatically in TRESSI’s systems as an audit and security record. The record is generated by the Platform at the point of transmission and is not created by, or dependent upon, manual review of any Inquiry.
(b) TRESSI retains that record in reliance on its legitimate interests in: maintaining the security and integrity of the Platform; detecting, investigating, and preventing fraud, impersonation, spam, and misuse; complying with its record-keeping obligations under the Internet Transactions Act; establishing whether, when, and to whom an Inquiry was transmitted, for the purposes of resolving disputes under Section 7 and complaints under clause 14.5; and establishing, exercising, or defending legal claims.
(c) Access by Admin to the content of a recorded Inquiry is limited to the purposes in paragraph (b), is restricted to personnel who require it for those purposes, and is itself logged.
(d) TRESSI does not use the content of an Inquiry for its own business development, marketing, or client acquisition, and does not make it available to any Affiliate for those purposes. Clause 18.4 applies.
(e) All handling of an Inquiry beyond its transmission and recording, including responding to it, qualifying it, and any subsequent dealing with the Property Finder, is the responsibility of the Property Advertiser as independent Personal Information Controller under clause 15.4. TRESSI does not act on an Inquiry on behalf of a Property Finder or a Property Advertiser.
(f) The record is retained in accordance with the retention schedule in the Data Privacy Policy and is disposed of or anonymised at the end of that period.
15.7A Transmission metadata. Separately from the record in clause 15.7, TRESSI processes metadata relating to the transmission and handling of Inquiries, including the date and time of transmission, the Advertisement and property type concerned, and whether and when the Property Advertiser responded. That metadata is used to measure responsiveness under clause 8.2 and to produce Aggregated Data under clause 11.6. It does not include the name, contact details, or identity of any Property Finder, nor the substantive content of any Inquiry.
15.8 Disclosure in disputes. Where a dispute arises under Section 7, the Property Advertiser acknowledges that TRESSI may disclose the substance of the complaint, and the identity of the complaining party where necessary to enable the Property Advertiser to respond, to the Property Advertiser and to the complaining party respectively.
16. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
16.1 Service provided as is. The Platform is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. To the maximum extent permitted by law, TRESSI disclaims all warranties, whether express, implied, statutory, or otherwise, including any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, or non-infringement.
16.2 Content and transactions. Property details, measurements, floor areas, rental and sale prices, availability, images, and all other information in an Advertisement are supplied by the Property Advertiser. TRESSI does not verify them and gives no warranty as to their accuracy, completeness, or currency. TRESSI is not a party to any transaction between Users and is not liable for the conduct, solvency, performance, or default of any User.
16.3 Third-party links and services. The Platform may contain links to, or integrate with, third-party websites and services. TRESSI does not control and is not responsible for such websites or services, their content, or their privacy practices.
16.4 Beta status. The Platform, or particular features of it, may be made available in beta, preview, trial, or other pre-release form, and may be identified as such. Pre-release features are provided for evaluation, may contain defects, may be incomplete, may change materially or be withdrawn without notice, and are provided without any warranty of any kind. TRESSI shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of, reliance on, or unavailability of a pre-release feature.
16.5 Aggregate cap. To the maximum extent permitted by Philippine law, TRESSI’s total aggregate liability to any User arising out of or in connection with these Terms and the use of the Platform, whether in contract, quasi-delict, tort, breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, and whether arising from a single event or a series of connected events in any twelve (12) month period, shall not exceed the greater of:
(a) the total Fees paid by that User to TRESSI in the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim; or
(b) Philippine Pesos Twenty Thousand (PHP 20,000.00).
16.6 Users who have paid no Fees. Where a User has paid no Fees to TRESSI, TRESSI’s total aggregate liability to that User shall not exceed Philippine Pesos One Thousand (PHP 1,000.00).
16.7 Excluded losses. TRESSI shall not be liable for loss of profit, loss of revenue, loss of anticipated savings, loss of business opportunity, loss of goodwill, loss or corruption of data, or for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, exemplary, or consequential loss, in each case however arising.
16.8 Carve-outs. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, wilful misconduct, gross negligence, death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under Philippine law.
17. Indemnity
17.1 The User shall indemnify and hold harmless TRESSI, its Affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents against all claims, demands, actions, proceedings, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, arising out of or in connection with:
(a) the User’s Submitted Content, including any claim that it infringes the rights of a third party;
(b) the User’s breach of these Terms, including clauses 6.8 and 11.5;
(c) the User’s breach of any applicable law, including RESA and the Data Privacy Act;
(d) any transaction, dispute, or dealing between the User and any other User or third party introduced through the Platform; and
(e) any claim brought by a Registered Owner arising from an Advertisement posted without Authority.
17.2 TRESSI shall notify the User of any claim to which this Section applies and may, at its option, conduct the defence of that claim at the User’s cost.
18. Affiliate Relationships and Conflicts of Interest
18.1 Disclosure. TRESSI discloses that it is under common ownership or control with entities engaged in commercial real estate brokerage, advisory, and property development in the Philippines. Affiliates are separately operated and separately managed, transact on the Platform on their own account, and are treated on the same footing as every other User. They enjoy no preferential position by reason of common ownership.
18.2 Affiliates as Users. Affiliates may hold Accounts on the Platform and may post Advertisements. Where they do, they are subject to the same Terms, the same review and approval process under clause 6.2, and the same compliance requirements under clause 6.8, as all other Users.
18.2A Negotiated rates. TRESSI publishes standard rates and may in addition agree negotiated rates, discounts, and promotional terms with individual Users, having regard to matters such as volume, portfolio size, length of commitment, and the commercial value of the account to the Platform. Negotiated terms are available to Affiliates and to Users who are not Affiliates. TRESSI does not publish the terms agreed with any individual User.
18.3 No preferential ranking or placement. Affiliates receive no preferential search ranking, placement, or listing prominence by reason of their relationship with TRESSI. Search results are ordered according to the criteria disclosed in clauses 8.4 and 8.5, and an Affiliate obtains elevated placement only by purchasing an enhancement under clause 8.5 on the same published terms as any other User.
18.4 Inquiry routing and Admin access.
(a) Inquiries submitted through an Advertisement are routed only to the contact details nominated by the Property Advertiser for that Advertisement.
(b) Inquiries are recorded automatically in TRESSI’s systems under clause 15.7. Admin access to those records is limited to the purposes set out in clause 15.7(b) and exists for no other purpose.
(c) Inquiries and Property Finder contact details are not diverted to, shared with, or made available to Affiliates, and are not used by TRESSI or any Affiliate for their own business development, marketing, or client acquisition, except where the Affiliate is itself the Property Advertiser to whom the Inquiry was directed.
(d) TRESSI restricts Admin access to Inquiries to personnel who require it for the purposes in paragraph (b), and maintains records of such access.
18.5 No access to competitor data. Affiliates have no access to the Account data, listing performance data, Inquiry records, or customer information of any other User, other than Aggregated Data made generally available under clause 11.6. Personnel holding Admin access under clause 18.4(b) do so in their capacity as representatives of TRESSI and not on behalf of any Affiliate.
18.6 Aggregated Data. For the avoidance of doubt, TRESSI and its Affiliates may use Aggregated Data derived under clause 11.6 in the same manner as any other recipient of TRESSI’s published market intelligence.
18.7 No agency. TRESSI does not act as broker, agent, or representative for any User. Where an Affiliate acts as a broker in a transaction, it does so in its own capacity and not as an agent of TRESSI or of the Platform.
19. Dispute Resolution and Venue
19.1 The parties shall first attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the use of the Platform through negotiation. Either party may initiate this stage by written notice to the other setting out the nature of the dispute. The negotiation period shall be thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the notice.
19.1A Where negotiation under clause 19.1 does not resolve the dispute, either party may propose non-binding mediation before proceeding under clause 19.2, whether through the E-Commerce Bureau of the Department of Trade and Industry, an accredited Philippine mediation centre, or a mediator agreed between the parties. Mediation is voluntary. Neither party is obliged to participate, and a refusal to participate does not prejudice that party’s position. Where mediation is agreed, the parties shall share the mediator’s fees equally unless otherwise agreed, and the period under clause 19.1 is extended for the duration of the mediation.
19.2 If the dispute remains unresolved at the end of the period in clause 19.1, the parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the proper courts of Makati City, Philippines, to the exclusion of all other venues, and irrevocably waive any objection to venue in those courts.
19.3 Nothing in this Section prevents either party from applying to the courts named in clause 19.2 at any time for interim or provisional relief, including injunctive relief to restrain unauthorised use of the Platform, infringement of intellectual property, or breach of confidentiality, without first completing the negotiation period.
19.4 Nothing in this Section limits any right a User may have to file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry, the National Privacy Commission, the Professional Regulation Commission, or any other competent Philippine authority.
19.5 Payment disputes are additionally subject to clause 9.13.
20. Amendments
20.1 TRESSI may amend these Terms from time to time.
20.2 Amendments take effect on the revised effective date stated at the head of this document. TRESSI shall give notice of material amendments by email to the address registered on the User’s Account, or by prominent notice on the Platform, not less than thirty (30) calendar days before they take effect.
20.3 Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of an amendment constitutes acceptance of the amended Terms. A User who does not accept an amendment may close their Account under clause 10.1.
20.4 Amendments do not apply retrospectively to an Advertisement Term already paid for, where the amendment would materially reduce the service purchased.
20.5 Regulatory consistency. Amendments to these Terms shall be made in a manner consistent with the Data Privacy Act, Republic Act No. 11967 (Internet Transactions Act of 2023), Republic Act No. 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), and other applicable Philippine laws and regulations.
20.6 Version archive. TRESSI maintains an archive of prior versions of these Terms, available on request at admin@cre-book.com.
21. Governing Law
21.1 These Terms, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter or formation, including non-contractual disputes or claims, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, without regard to conflict of law principles.
21.2 Subject to Section 19, the proper courts of Makati City, Philippines shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any action arising out of or relating to these Terms.
21.3 Users accessing the Platform from outside the Philippines do so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with the laws of their own jurisdiction. Access to the Platform from territories where its content is unlawful is prohibited.
22. Miscellaneous
22.1 Entire agreement. These Terms, together with the Data Privacy Policy and any written agreement entered into under clause 3.3, constitute the entire agreement between the User and TRESSI in respect of the Platform, and supersede all prior representations, understandings, and agreements on that subject.
22.1A Order of precedence. Where there is a conflict between the documents forming the agreement between a User and TRESSI, the following order of precedence applies: first, any written agreement entered into under clause 3.3; second, the Data Privacy Policy, in respect of the processing of Personal Information; third, these Terms; and fourth, any other material published on the Platform.
22.2 Severability. If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, or if modification is not possible, severed. The remaining provisions continue in full force.
22.3 Headings. Headings are for reference only and do not affect interpretation.
22.4 Language. The English version of these Terms prevails over any translation.
22.5 Assignment by TRESSI. TRESSI may assign, novate, transfer, sub-contract, or otherwise deal with all or any of its rights and obligations under these Terms, in whole or in part, without the consent of and without notice to Users, including in connection with a financing, reorganisation, merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of its assets, or other change of control. Users’ rights under these Terms are not affected by any such assignment.
22.6 Assignment by Users. Users may not assign, transfer, or otherwise deal with any of their rights or obligations under these Terms without the prior written consent of TRESSI. Any purported assignment in breach of this clause is void.
22.7 Successors. These Terms bind and benefit the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
22.8 Waiver. No failure or delay by TRESSI in exercising any right under these Terms operates as a waiver of that right, and no single or partial exercise prevents any further exercise. A waiver is effective only if given in writing and only in respect of the specific instance for which it is given.
22.9 No third-party beneficiaries. These Terms are for the benefit of the User and TRESSI and, in the case of Sections 16, 17, and 18, TRESSI’s Affiliates, officers, directors, and employees. Save as expressly stated, no other person has any right to enforce any provision of these Terms.
22.10 No partnership or agency. Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, employment, franchise, or agency relationship between TRESSI and any User.
22.11 Force majeure. TRESSI shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms to the extent caused by an event beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, typhoon, earthquake, flood, fire, epidemic or pandemic, war, terrorism, civil disturbance, government action or restriction, strike or labour dispute, failure of telecommunications or internet infrastructure, power failure, cyber attack, or failure of a third-party service provider or hosting provider. Where such an event continues for more than thirty (30) consecutive days, either party may terminate on written notice, and TRESSI shall issue a pro-rata credit for the unexpired portion of any Advertisement Term.
22.12 Notices. Notices to TRESSI shall be sent to admin@cre-book.com. Notices to a User shall be sent to the email address registered on the User’s Account, or given by notice in the Account dashboard. A notice sent by email is deemed received on the next Business Day following transmission, provided no delivery failure notification is received. Users are responsible for maintaining a current email address on their Account.
22.14 Feedback. Where a User submits a suggestion, idea, feature request, bug report, or other feedback concerning the Platform, whether through the feedback form or otherwise, the User grants TRESSI a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable, and sub-licensable right to use, implement, modify, and commercialise that feedback without restriction, attribution, or compensation. Feedback is not confidential, is not given in circumstances importing an obligation of confidence, and does not entitle the User to any interest in the Platform or in any feature developed from it.
22.13 Contact. Questions about these Terms may be directed to admin@cre-book.com.
END OF TERMS
