Terms of Use & Disclaimer

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using RateMate.co.nz ("the Website"), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the Website.

Your Account

Creating an Account

You can create an account using Google Sign-In. By creating an account, you explicitly accept these Terms & Conditions and our Privacy Policy. We record the date and time of your acceptance for our records.

By doing so, you agree that:

• You are at least 18 years old
• The Google account you use for sign-in is yours and under your control
• You will keep your account secure and not share access with others
• You have read and agreed to these Terms & Conditions and our Privacy Policy

Account Security

• Don't share your account access with others
• Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorised access
• We're not liable for losses due to compromised accounts

Account Termination

You can request to delete your account at any time by contacting us at hello@ratemate.co.nz. We will process your request within 7 business days and permanently delete all your scenarios and data.

We may suspend or terminate your account if you:

• Violate these Terms
• Use the Service for illegal purposes
• Attempt to abuse or exploit the Service

Informational Purpose Only

RateMate is a mortgage comparison and calculation tool designed to help New Zealanders:

• Compare mortgage rates across major banks
• Estimate monthly repayments based on loan parameters
• Understand the impact of extra payments, offset accounts, and split loans
• Explore different mortgage scenarios for educational purposes

This is an educational tool only. The calculations, comparisons, and information provided should be used as a starting point for research, not as the sole basis for making financial decisions.

Acceptable Use

When using RateMate, you agree NOT to:

• Use the Service for any illegal purpose
• Attempt to access other users' accounts or data
• Scrape, copy, or reproduce our rate data for commercial purposes
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service
• Upload malicious code or content
• Misrepresent your identity or affiliation
• Use automated tools to access the Service (bots, scrapers)
• Resell or redistribute the Service

We reserve the right to suspend accounts that violate these terms.

Accuracy & Estimates

Calculator Results

All calculator results are estimates only and are based on the information you provide. Actual loan repayments, interest charges, and terms may differ significantly based on:

• Your personal financial circumstances and credit history
• Bank lending criteria, policies, and eligibility requirements
• Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) and equity position
• Property type, location, and valuation
• Employment status, income verification, and debt levels
• Additional bank fees, charges, and conditions not reflected in the calculator

Interest Rates

Mortgage rates displayed on RateMate are sourced from third-party providers (RatesAPI.nz) and are updated daily. However:

• Rates may change without notice between updates
• Not all rates or products may be available to all borrowers
• Special rates often require specific criteria (e.g., LVR < 80%)
• Banks may offer promotional rates not reflected in our data
• You should always verify current rates directly with the bank or a mortgage broker

Comparison Accuracy

While we strive to provide accurate comparisons, we cannot guarantee that:

• All available products from all lenders are included
• Rate data is error-free or complete
• Calculations perfectly match bank amortization schedules
• All fees, charges, or conditions are accounted for

No Warranties or Guarantees

RateMate is provided "as is" and "as available" without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to:

• Accuracy, completeness, or reliability of information
• Fitness for a particular purpose
• Uninterrupted or error-free operation
• That defects will be corrected

We make no representation or warranty that the information on this Website is appropriate for use in any jurisdiction outside New Zealand.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, RateMate, its owners, operators, and contributors shall not be liable for any:

• Direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
• Financial losses arising from use of this Website or reliance on its content
• Errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in calculations or rate data
• Decisions made based on information provided by RateMate
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities

You use RateMate at your own risk. You are solely responsible for any financial decisions you make, and we strongly recommend consulting with qualified professionals before entering into any mortgage agreement.

Professional Advice Recommended

RateMate is not a substitute for professional financial advice. We strongly recommend that you:

• Consult a licensed mortgage broker who can assess your individual circumstances
• Speak with multiple banks to compare actual offers and eligibility
• Seek legal advice before signing any mortgage documents
• Consult a financial advisor regarding overall financial planning and tax implications
• Verify all calculations with your chosen lender before committing

Third-Party Services & Links

RateMate integrates with third-party services (such as RatesAPI.nz) to provide mortgage rate data. We are not responsible for:

• The accuracy, availability, or reliability of third-party data
• Changes to third-party services or APIs
• Content or policies of external websites we may link to

Any links to external websites are provided for convenience only and do not constitute endorsement.

User Responsibilities

When using RateMate, you agree to:

• Verify all calculator results independently before making any financial decisions
• Not rely solely on RateMate for financial planning - always consult with qualified professionals
• Use the Website in compliance with all applicable laws
• Not misuse or attempt to interfere with the Website's operation

Independent Service

RateMate is an independent comparison tool. We:

• Do not receive commissions or fees from banks or lenders
• Are not affiliated with any financial institution
• Do not broker loans or facilitate mortgage applications
• Do not store or transmit your financial data to third parties

Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Use at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

Governing Law

These Terms of Use are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any disputes arising from use of this Website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New Zealand.

Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms of Use, please get in touch →