Moderation rules

Translation. In case of any discrepancy, the French version prevails. This translation will be reviewed by a native English speaker before publication.

Every listing is checked by a person before it is published on NIVOZA. These rules explain what we check, what we refuse, how to report content and how to challenge a decision. They supplement the terms for agencies and owners.

In brief

• A person checks every listing before publication, as a rule within 2 working days.
• We refuse listings that are false, misleading, duplicated, discriminatory or unlawful.
• Every decision comes with a reason: you know which rule applies and what you can do.
• The main photo of a listing is public: we check that no one is recognisable on it and that no number plate, name or document can be read.
• Anyone can report a listing. We reply, without giving the name of the person who reported it.
• You can challenge a decision within 30 days; another person reviews the case where possible.

Why we moderate

People looking for a home must be able to trust the listings. Moderation keeps out listings that are false, misleading, duplicated or unlawful. It does not replace the responsibility of the advertiser, who guarantees the accuracy of their listings.

What we check

1. The advertiser: verified account, authorised to rent out or sell the property.
2. The property: a real-estate property in Switzerland, with a plausible address or locality, type, area, number of rooms and availability.
3. The price: net rent, service charges and mandatory costs, or sale price, stated in full and in Swiss francs.
4. The text: clear, with no misleading promises, no contact details to bypass NIVOZA, no content unrelated to the property.
5. The photos, in particular the main photo: see "Photos".
6. Duplicates: one listing per property.

What is refused

• a property that does not exist, is not available or that the advertiser has no right to offer;
• a wanted ad ("looking for a flat"), an ad for furniture, services or holiday rentals;
• an incomplete price, hidden costs, a bait price that does not match the offer;
• a misleading description or misleading photos;
• any discrimination or exclusion based on origin, nationality, alleged race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability or marital status, in the text as in the images;
• a request for money before the viewing, application fees with no service in return, or any other sign of fraud;
• unlawful or abusive content, or content that infringes the rights of others (copyright, privacy of occupants);
• advertising unrelated to a property;
• a duplicate listing, or a property removed and republished soon after to look new.

Examples of refused wording

These examples help explain the rule against discrimination; the list is not complete.

• "Swiss only", "no foreigners";
• a preference or exclusion linked to a religion, a skin colour or an origin;
• "no wheelchair users" or any exclusion linked to a disability;
• "married couples only", "no singles", "women only" without an objective reason (for example a room in a shared flat);
• a photo or symbol that expresses an exclusion.

Objective information about the property is still allowed, for example "3rd floor without lift" or "non-smokers".

Photos

• Photos must show the property offered, in its real condition.
• A photo contains no phone number, no e-mail address and no advertising logo unrelated to the advertiser.
• Virtual staging carries the label "Virtual staging" on the image; a simulated night photo carries the matching label.
• A recognisable person or a readable number plate is blurred.
• An edited photo that removes a defect, enlarges a room or adds a view is refused.
• The original of each photo is kept; the person looking for a home can see it.
• The main photo (the first one) is public: it can appear in search engines, artificial intelligence services and share previews. Before publication, we check that it shows the property and that it contains no recognisable person, no readable number plate, no name on a letterbox, doorbell or door, and no readable document (mail, contract, screen). Otherwise, we ask the advertiser to change the order of the photos or the main photo, and the listing is not published before then. If the advertiser changes the main photo of a published listing (through the order of the photos, a deletion or switching between the optimised version and the original), the listing goes through this check again and is not online until our decision.
• Anyone who recognises themselves in the main photo, or recognises their home or belongings in it, can report it (see "Reporting a listing").

Time frame

We check listings in order of arrival, as a rule within 2 working days. Listings from Pro accounts have priority. A listing changed significantly (price, area, photos) is checked again.

Decision and reason

We publish the listing, ask for a correction or refuse it. A refusal or a request for correction always comes with a reason, by e-mail and in the Agency space. The reason states: what we found, the rule concerned, the measure taken and how to challenge it. At first, every decision is taken by a person; if an automatic tool ever helps us, a person will always decide on a refusal, and we will say so in the reason.

Reporting a listing

1. Anyone can report a listing with the "Report" button or at contact@nivoza.ch.
2. A good report gives the link to the listing, what the problem is and why. For an infringement of your rights (photo, text, privacy), say which right is affected.
3. We acknowledge receipt, examine the report as a rule within 2 working days and inform the person who reported it of the outcome, if they left their address.
4. We do not give the name of the person who reported to the advertiser, unless the law or an authority requires it.
5. A report made to cause harm, or repeated unfounded reports, may lead to the reporting account being blocked.

Removal of a published listing

We remove a published listing if it no longer complies with these rules, if the property is no longer available or on the decision of an authority. In case of serious doubt, in particular a suspicion of fraud, we may hide it during the review. The advertiser is informed of the reason. People who sent a request for this listing are told that it is no longer available; in case of fraud, we warn them.

Measures against an account

In case of repeated or serious breaches (fraud, discrimination, false listings), we may block the advertiser's account. The measure is proportionate: first a warning, then a suspension, then closure; immediately in case of serious misconduct. The block comes with a reason. A suspected criminal offence may be reported to the authorities.

Appeal

The advertiser or the person who reported can challenge a decision by replying to our e-mail or writing to contact@nivoza.ch, within 30 days, with their reasons. A person other than the one who took the first decision reviews the case where possible, and we reply as a rule within 5 working days, with a reason. If we were wrong, we cancel the measure free of charge. Ordinary legal remedies remain open, and mediation remains possible if both parties wish.

Fictional examples

During the launch, NIVOZA may show fictional listings to present its features. They always carry the label "Fictional example" and do not allow any request to a real agency.