Bvunza is an online platform where you can easily advertise or find accommodation, used/new furniture & appliances, service providers and artisans such as cleaners, painters, plumbers, carpenters, etc. using a smart phone or computer.
As a policy Bvunza doesn't recommend properties. However, our Customer Service team are on hand 7 days a week to help you get the most from Bvunza.
Do I need to pay anything?
Anyone can use Bvunza completely free using their free ad space.
Bvunza displays available properties, furniture, appliances and service providers/artisans. It provides a user options to search any of the these categories with no login required. To post or rate an ad in any of the categories (properties, furniture/appliances and service providers), you are required to create an account (free) and be logged in. Once you are logged in you can contact the ad owner for free using the in-app messaging service.
Bvunza displays available properties, furniture, appliances and service providers/artisans. It provides a user options to search any of the these categories with no login required. To post or rate an ad in any of the categories (properties, furniture/appliances and service providers), you are required to create an account (free) and be logged in. Once you are logged in you can contact the ad owner for free using the in-app messaging service.
You can search and browse all ads on Bvunza without an account, but you'll need to register - which is free - to post an ad or contact other users. Register free now.
You can search on Bvunza by using the quick search box on the home page. Click on the main menu bar to select a category - properties, furniture/appliance or service provider/artisans category then enter an area/location.
You can carry out an advanced search with more options (e.g. price range, type of room, category of furniture/appliances, 'All' - sale, rent or share and 'Category' - painter, plumber etc).
When you find an ad you like you can get in touch with the advertiser using the in app messaging system or through phone call( if the user chooses to show his phone number).
You can carry out an advanced search with more options (e.g. price range, type of room, category of furniture/appliances, 'All' - sale, rent or share and 'Category' - painter, plumber etc).
When you find an ad you like you can get in touch with the advertiser using the in app messaging system or through phone call( if the user chooses to show his phone number).
Subletting or renting out your apartment is legal as long as you inform the landlord/caretaker .
Here are some few things to do before subletting or renting out your room/apartment .
• Inform you landlord or caretaker.
• Confirm the availability of the room/apartment .
• Confirm the price of the room/apartment . This is to ensure that the rent has not been increased or decreased .
To rate and/or review an ad owner, login to your account and click on any of the owner's ad then click 'submit review', type in your review then confirm review submission by clicking 'submit review'. You can also rate by click the "stars" to rate the user then confirm rating.
You can make either a positive or a negative review. The review is based on your experience with the advert owner. If your experience with such owner was good, you can say something based on such experience so as to encourage others. On the other hand, if your experience was bad or you think such an owner is a scammer or a cheat then you should review accordingly so as to ensure that no other user falls into such hands.
Note that Bvunza sees these reviews and takes actions when necessary
Below are some steps to reduce your risk of getting scammed
• Check the reviews and ratings of the user
• confirm the legitimacy and availability of the room/item before making payment
• Ensure to inspect the room/item before making payment
• Confirm the rent/price of item before making payment
• Ensure to make payment for rent to the landlord/caretaker
To see you reviews, login and go to your dashboard. On the menu bar click 'Reviews'.
We recommend you post an advert to get the best from Bvunza (it's free) so other users know what You're offering.
To post an ad on Bvunza, click on 'Post ad' in the main menu bar or if you are already logged in, click on 'dashboard'. To advertise a room/property, click on the menu bar and select 'property ad' then select 'Create'. To advertise a furniture/appliances,click on 'furniture/appliance ad' then select 'create'. You can then fill in all the details.
You'll need to be logged in to your account to upload photo(s) to your ad.
Here's how it works:
Select 'dashboard' on the main menu bar on the home page and then click on the menu bar. Click on 'Property Ad' , then select 'Create'. Click on 'Choose files' under 'Add image'. You'll then be taken to a photo upload screen
Click the 'Browse' button. This will open a pop-up window where you can locate and select the photo you want to add.
Highlight the photo you want to add and click 'Select' . Follow the same process to upload photos under 'furniture/appliances Ad'.
Here's how it works:
Select 'dashboard' on the main menu bar on the home page and then click on the menu bar. Click on 'Property Ad' , then select 'Create'. Click on 'Choose files' under 'Add image'. You'll then be taken to a photo upload screen
Click the 'Browse' button. This will open a pop-up window where you can locate and select the photo you want to add.
Highlight the photo you want to add and click 'Select' . Follow the same process to upload photos under 'furniture/appliances Ad'.
We take the safety of our users very seriously and we take several measures to prevent scammers from advertising on Bvunza or contacting other users. For this reason we encourage users to verify their account. See Why is there a delay in verifying my account?
To reduce image size you can search for apps that helps to reduce image size for example Lit Photo.
To edit your advert, log in and go to 'dashboard' , click 'Property Ad' , then select 'Active'. Find the advert you want to edit and select 'View Ad' . The following page is the Edit screen. You'll be able to change any information. When you've made all your changes scroll to the bottom of the page and select 'Update'.
To add your phone number to your ad, Select 'dashboard' on the main menu bar on the home page and then click on the menu bar. Click on 'Property Ad' or 'Furniture & Appliances Ad' then select 'Create'. After filling the details on the form, select 'yes' under 'show phone'.
Renting property is subject to discrimination laws, so it's important to understand what you can (and can't) say in your room/property ad. Largely this is down to whether you'll be living in the property or not, but there's a little more to it than that.
For full details on discrimination when you're advertising a room click here**(link). {Here's a guide to what you can and can't say In simple terms, what you can (and can't) say in your ad depends on whether you live in the property.
What the law says It's illegal to discriminate against someone if you're letting a room (or whole property) based on: • Community
• Ethnic group
• Place of origin
• Sex
• Religion
• Political opinion
• Circumstances of their birth
All forms of discriminations including discrimination on the basis of sex, disability, whether direct or indirect, are prohibited. Age isn't protected when it comes to property so it isn't illegal to discriminate based on age.
If you're a live out landlord or agent you can't discriminate on any of these grounds. It's as simple as that.
For full details on discrimination when you're advertising a room click here**(link). {Here's a guide to what you can and can't say In simple terms, what you can (and can't) say in your ad depends on whether you live in the property.
What the law says It's illegal to discriminate against someone if you're letting a room (or whole property) based on: • Community
• Ethnic group
• Place of origin
• Sex
• Religion
• Political opinion
• Circumstances of their birth
All forms of discriminations including discrimination on the basis of sex, disability, whether direct or indirect, are prohibited. Age isn't protected when it comes to property so it isn't illegal to discriminate based on age.
If you're a live out landlord or agent you can't discriminate on any of these grounds. It's as simple as that.
If you live in the property you're advertising a room in then the law is slightly more flexible. You're allowed to have a preference, but still not when it comes to ethnic group.
In practice this applies to current flatmates and homeowners renting out a room to a lodger. If you're advertising your room because you're moving out you can't discriminate, as you won't be living there any more. If your flatmates have a preference they'll need to post the ad themselves.
It's always illegal to discriminate based on ethnic group/race when you're letting a room or property, regardless of whether you live there or not.
It's slightly more complicated in some instances, especially for larger properties.
Although the law is different if you're living in the property you're advertising, it's dependent on something called the 'small premises exception'.
It only applies if:
You or a relative of yours will be living in another part of the same property and intend to continue living there You (or your relative) share part of the property with the other residents. This doesn't include common access ways (like corridors and stairs) and common storage areas The most likely shared parts will be kitchens or bathrooms; and either: The property includes accommodation for at least one other household, which is separately let, but cannot accommodate more than two other separately let households; or
The property is not normally sufficient to provide residential accommodation for more than six people (in addition to you or your relative and your household members).
The legal definition of 'relative' includes:
a) spouse or civil partner
b) unmarried partner
c) parent or grandparent
d) child or grandchild
e) the spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner of a child or grandchild
f) brother or sister (including half brothers and sisters)
g) a relative within paragraph (c), (d), (e) or (f) whose relationship is a result of marriage or civil partnership}
Bvunza's policy It's not just a case of what is and isn't legal - it's about treating people as you'd want them to treat you. We'd always prefer you stated the ethnic group, gender, (and so on) of the people living in the property, rather than be specific about who you're looking for.
If you are expressing a preference in your ad, please give an explanation. If, for example, your ad says 'No men' or 'Muslims only' we'll remove that bit of the ad. If it says 'We prefer a female flatmate as all the other flatmates are female' or 'This is a Halal household so we'd prefer a Muslim that's fine as you've offered an explanation for your preference.
In practice this applies to current flatmates and homeowners renting out a room to a lodger. If you're advertising your room because you're moving out you can't discriminate, as you won't be living there any more. If your flatmates have a preference they'll need to post the ad themselves.
It's always illegal to discriminate based on ethnic group/race when you're letting a room or property, regardless of whether you live there or not.
It's slightly more complicated in some instances, especially for larger properties.
Although the law is different if you're living in the property you're advertising, it's dependent on something called the 'small premises exception'.
It only applies if:
You or a relative of yours will be living in another part of the same property and intend to continue living there You (or your relative) share part of the property with the other residents. This doesn't include common access ways (like corridors and stairs) and common storage areas The most likely shared parts will be kitchens or bathrooms; and either: The property includes accommodation for at least one other household, which is separately let, but cannot accommodate more than two other separately let households; or
The property is not normally sufficient to provide residential accommodation for more than six people (in addition to you or your relative and your household members).
The legal definition of 'relative' includes:
a) spouse or civil partner
b) unmarried partner
c) parent or grandparent
d) child or grandchild
e) the spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner of a child or grandchild
f) brother or sister (including half brothers and sisters)
g) a relative within paragraph (c), (d), (e) or (f) whose relationship is a result of marriage or civil partnership}
Bvunza's policy It's not just a case of what is and isn't legal - it's about treating people as you'd want them to treat you. We'd always prefer you stated the ethnic group, gender, (and so on) of the people living in the property, rather than be specific about who you're looking for.
If you are expressing a preference in your ad, please give an explanation. If, for example, your ad says 'No men' or 'Muslims only' we'll remove that bit of the ad. If it says 'We prefer a female flatmate as all the other flatmates are female' or 'This is a Halal household so we'd prefer a Muslim that's fine as you've offered an explanation for your preference.
You can share your ad on different social media platforms like (WhatsApp, Facebook, telegraph and so on) and other platforms as well such as Gmail, Pinterest and so on.
Here's how it works
On the 'home' search for your ad or any ad you'd like to share and click on it. Scroll down and you'll find the share options. To find more options on the platforms you can share click on the share icon then select your desired platform.
If you want to have more than one advert live on the site you'll need to be an upgraded user with extra listing spaces.
You can upgrade at any time . If you need more live listings the new upgraded status will let you buy additional spaces. See how do I upgrade?
You can upgrade at any time . If you need more live listings the new upgraded status will let you buy additional spaces. See how do I upgrade?
To deactivate or close your advert:
Log in and go to 'Dashboard', click on the menu bar then click on 'Property Ad' . Click on 'active', you'll see all your ads, then click on 'Close Ad'. You can also click on 'archive ad' to deactivate your ad.
Log in and go to 'Dashboard', click on the menu bar then click on 'Property Ad' . Click on 'active', you'll see all your ads, then click on 'Close Ad'. You can also click on 'archive ad' to deactivate your ad.
To register as a service provider, click on the main menu bar and select 'Dashboard' then click on the menu bar and select 'Service Provider Registration', then fill the form.
Each upgrade plan come with various amount of benefit. Once you've purchased a package/plan, you can post new ads or reactivate expired ads. You can use your listing allowance across all of your ads/listings as you please. For example, you can use all of your allowance against a single ad/listing or shared between 2, 3 or all of your ads/listings.
For info on extra listings or to discuss your options contact customer services who will be happy to help.
For info on extra listings or to discuss your options contact customer services who will be happy to help.
Once registered, just click on 'Dashboard' in the main menu bar then click on 'Upgrade plan' in the menu bar. You can then select which category - 'upgrade property plan' or 'upgrade gadget plan'. You'll then see the plans available based on the option you select. If you need any help choosing your upgrade, our customer services team will be happy to help. You can also reach out to our customer service team for customized upgrade plan.
To boost or renew your advert, log in to your account and go to your 'Dashboard', click on the menu bar and select the category of the ad you want to boost or renew - 'property ad' or 'furniture & appliance ad' then click 'Active'. You'll see all your active ads, click 'boost ad' or 'renew ad' to boost or renew any active ad of your choice.
When you boost your ad, it pushes your ad to the top - it makes it easier for users to see your ad. When you renew your ad, it allows your ad to stay active/live on Bvunza for extra 7 days. This means that if your ad was supposed to expire on a certain day, you can ad 7 days more to its expiry date.
Note you have to boost your ad before it expires. Expired ads cannot be boosted but you can renew your expired ads or you can reactivate them.
Note you have to boost your ad before it expires. Expired ads cannot be boosted but you can renew your expired ads or you can reactivate them.
When your ad expires Bvunza automatically archives your ad. This means that other users will no longer see your ad. Bvunza does not delete your ad, it keeps it in 'Archive' meaning you can go view them.
You can choose to either 'renew ad' or 'activate ad'. When you renew your archived ad, you can edit the ad if there are any changes, if there are no changes then you can simply just activate the ad.
Note, to renew or activate your ad you must have available ad space on the category your ad falls under - property ad or furniture/appliances ad.
Note, to renew or activate your ad you must have available ad space on the category your ad falls under - property ad or furniture/appliances ad.
To see your payment history, login and go to your dashboard and click on the menu bar then select 'Payment history'. You can also verify a pending payment.
To contact any advertiser, click on the ad of the user you want to send a message to and then click 'send message' to send them a message. If they've provided their number, click on their phone number to call.
There are two different types of contact you can receive in relation to your advert as an ad owner.
Direct replies - Direct replies to your advert from other users. We'll notify you of any new messages by sending a 'message alert' to your registered email address, this will contain a link to your Bvunza inbox where you can respond.
Telephone calls - You'll only get these if you choose to include a phone number with your advert.
There are two different types of contact you can receive in relation to your advert as an ad owner.
Direct replies - Direct replies to your advert from other users. We'll notify you of any new messages by sending a 'message alert' to your registered email address, this will contain a link to your Bvunza inbox where you can respond.
Telephone calls - You'll only get these if you choose to include a phone number with your advert.
When you contact a Bvunza user via the messaging system the following happens:
Your message is sent to the user's Bvunza inbox.
We also send an email to their personal email address to let them know they have a message.
Your message is sent to the user's Bvunza inbox.
We also send an email to their personal email address to let them know they have a message.
If you're not getting any response at all, it's worth taking a look at the messages you've sent - have you taken the time to introduce yourself a little, rather than jumping straight to arranging a viewing?
It's helpful to say a little about your background, where you work, your reasons for looking to live in this area, and what attracted you to this particular ad. If you make all your messages sound the same, there is less chance of a response as the recipient doesn't feel you're talking to them personally, merely firing off identical messages to everyone you come across.
When an advertiser is inundated with responses, they are likely to choose between the users who most closely resemble the person they would like to share with - if you give them no information, they're unlikely to choose you.
It's helpful to say a little about your background, where you work, your reasons for looking to live in this area, and what attracted you to this particular ad. If you make all your messages sound the same, there is less chance of a response as the recipient doesn't feel you're talking to them personally, merely firing off identical messages to everyone you come across.
When an advertiser is inundated with responses, they are likely to choose between the users who most closely resemble the person they would like to share with - if you give them no information, they're unlikely to choose you.
Some users check their email and/or log into Bvunza less frequently than others - you should be patient and allow at least 48 hours for a reply.
If the user decides, for whatever reason, that you are unsuitable for the room, they may choose to not respond for fear of offending.
Other reasons beyond our control could be a user advertising a room that has been let. We send regular reminders and make it very easy for users to tell us when a room is taken but not everyone removes their advert in good time.
Some users' email programs/providers have more enthusiastic spam filtering than others, sometimes trashing wanted messages as well as unwanted. However, as we send a message to their Bvunza inbox too, your message will be available for them whenever they log back in.
If the ad is very popular, the user may be inundated with messages and it may take them some time to sort through them and respond to everyone who got in touch.
If the user decides for whatever reason that you are unsuitable for the room, they may choose to not respond for fear of offending you.
Other reasons beyond our control, such as: the room is let. Though we send regular reminders to them to close any ad that's no longer available , not everyone removes their advert in good time.
We're constantly working on better ways to remove adverts earlier to remedy this.
If the user decides, for whatever reason, that you are unsuitable for the room, they may choose to not respond for fear of offending.
Other reasons beyond our control could be a user advertising a room that has been let. We send regular reminders and make it very easy for users to tell us when a room is taken but not everyone removes their advert in good time.
Some users' email programs/providers have more enthusiastic spam filtering than others, sometimes trashing wanted messages as well as unwanted. However, as we send a message to their Bvunza inbox too, your message will be available for them whenever they log back in.
If the ad is very popular, the user may be inundated with messages and it may take them some time to sort through them and respond to everyone who got in touch.
If the user decides for whatever reason that you are unsuitable for the room, they may choose to not respond for fear of offending you.
Other reasons beyond our control, such as: the room is let. Though we send regular reminders to them to close any ad that's no longer available , not everyone removes their advert in good time.
We're constantly working on better ways to remove adverts earlier to remedy this.
The best thing you can do is to try calling the user (if they've left a number with their advert). Some prefer telephone contact anyway. Find their ad, then click on 'Contact advertiser', then 'Contact by phone'. Failing that, the best thing to do is to keep checking the listings. We get new rooms added every day so chances are there will be plenty more rooms that are suitable for you. Don't wait around for someone to get back to you - keep looking in the meantime.
Bvunza encourages users to edit their profiles after creating an account and enter additional information so that other users can reach them (if they choose to display their name and phone number).
To edit your profile, login to your account and click on the main menu bar on the homepage then select 'Dashboard', scroll down to 'My account details' and click 'Edit'. Fill the form and click ' Save Changes'.
In broad terms the ads are ranked in this order:
Verified account ad
New Today/Boosted ads
Newly renewed ads
Older ads
To stop anyone unfairly dominating the search results in a specific location, every two ads posted, renewed or boosted by a single advertiser in any given location will be followed by one from another advertiser.
Verified account ad
New Today/Boosted ads
Newly renewed ads
Older ads
To stop anyone unfairly dominating the search results in a specific location, every two ads posted, renewed or boosted by a single advertiser in any given location will be followed by one from another advertiser.
Bvunza encourages all users to verify their account. When a user verifies his/ her account, Bvunza places a badge on such user's account. This way other users will know that you are legit and not a scammer.
To verify your account, login to your account and click on 'Dashboard' on the main menu bar. Click on the menu bar and then select 'Account verification', fill the form and click 'submit'.
Note that Bvunza will take a few days to verify your account.
The main reason Bvunza has a verification process is to ensure the safety of it's users.
This means that we have to check each user's details (especially those posting ads on Bvunza).
This does mean there can't be a short delay in verifying your account but don't panic, it just means it's being checked to make sure that each document submitted by each user is legit.
Just call or email us and we'll do this for you. We can either deactivate the account (so you don't receive any further contact from us until you're ready) or permanently close your account.