1. Overview
Rent Scout (the "App") helps you find income-based and subsidized rental housing in the United States using public data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The App is not a government app. This policy explains what information the App processes and how.
2. Information we process
| Data | Collected? | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approximate (coarse) location — only if you allow it | Sent to our server with each "near me" search; not stored with any identifier | Finding properties near you | Server logs keep coordinates rounded to about 1 km |
| Search terms (ZIP code, city, state, address) and filters | Sent to our server with each search | Returning matching properties | Not linked to you |
| Saved properties, recent searches, last results, app settings (language, reminders) | Stored on your device only | Offline access and remembering your choices | Until you delete them or uninstall the App |
| Feedback or "report incorrect info" text you choose to send, app version, and a random install ID | Yes — only when you submit | Answering, fixing data, and preventing spam | Up to 1 year |
| App usage events (e.g. a search was run, number of results, a property was opened) | Yes — by Google Analytics for Firebase | Understanding which features help people find housing | Per Google's policy |
| Advertising identifier, coarse device and app-usage signals | Yes — by the advertising SDK | Serving and measuring ads (see section 5) | Per Google's policy |
| Name, email, phone number, income, household details, contacts, precise location | No | — | — |
3. Location
Location permission is optional. If you allow it, the App reads your approximate location on your device and sends it to our server to search nearby properties. If you decline, you can still search by ZIP code, city, or state. You can change the permission at any time in your device settings.
4. Calls, directions, and sharing
When you tap Call, Directions, Website, or Share, the App hands the property's public contact details to your phone dialer, map app, browser, or the app you pick in the share sheet. Those apps handle the data under their own policies. Reminders are notifications scheduled locally on your device; no server is involved.
5. Advertising
The App shows ads through Google AdMob. Google may collect the advertising identifier and related signals to serve and measure ads. In regions where consent is required, a consent form is shown before ads are personalised, and you can change your choice from the App's Settings. See Google's advertising policy for details.
6. Third-party services
- Google AdMob — advertising (privacy policy)
- Google Analytics for Firebase — app usage measurement (privacy policy)
- OpenFreeMap / OpenStreetMap — map tiles; your device requests map images for the area you view
7. Data sharing and transfers
We do not sell your data. Searches and feedback are processed on our own server and are not shared with anyone else. Ad and analytics data are handled by Google under its own policy.
8. Your rights
Saved properties, recent searches, and settings live only on your device; you can delete them at any time in the App, by clearing the App's data, or by uninstalling it. To request deletion of feedback you sent, email us with the approximate date of submission.
9. Children
The App is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from them.
10. Changes
We will update this page when the policy changes and revise the effective date above.
11. Contact
Email: developersoulduse@gmail.com