Last updated: Sunday, November 8. These rules keep Brooklyn.town (brooklyn.town) useful, respectful and safe for everyone in Brooklyn.
1. About this template
This document is a general template prepared for Brooklyn.town. It is not legal advice and should be reviewed and adapted by a licensed attorney before the site launches.
2. Our community, in short
Brooklyn.town works when neighbors treat each other well. Be honest, be kind, and think before you post.
Every submission is reviewed before it is published. By posting, you confirm that you are 18 or older and that you accept these rules and our Terms of Use.
3. General rules
All submissions must:
• be true, accurate and yours to share;
• be about Brooklyn or useful to people in Brooklyn;
• have a clear title and description, without ALL CAPS, spam or repeated posts;
• include only contact details that you are happy to make public;
• follow federal, New York State and New York City law.
4. Prohibited content
The following is not allowed and will be removed:
• illegal goods or services, including drugs, weapons, stolen or counterfeit items and fake documents;
• hate speech, harassment, threats, bullying or discrimination;
• sexual or explicit content, escort or adult services, and anything that endangers minors;
• scams, pyramid schemes, advance-fee requests and fake reviews;
• other people's personal data (home addresses, phone numbers, ID numbers) posted without their consent;
• defamation, or accusations of crimes against named individuals;
• content that infringes copyright, trademarks or privacy;
• malware, phishing or misleading links;
• services that require a licence (for example contracting or medical work) offered without one.
5. Anonymity rules for feedback
Anonymous feedback is welcome, but anonymity is not a licence to harm others.
• Describe the problem, not the person. Do not accuse named private individuals.
• Do not include details that identify other people, such as names, photos, license plates or home addresses.
• Abusive, threatening or knowingly false messages may be removed, and technical logs may be handed to the authorities if the law requires it.
Remember that we cannot reply to an anonymous message. If you want an answer, leave a way to contact you.
6. Lost & Found tips
Tips to help items find their owner safely:
• Describe the item, place and date, but keep one detail back (for example a serial number or the contents) so that the real owner can prove ownership.
• Never publish ID numbers or photos of IDs, passports, driver licenses, Social Security cards, bank cards or account numbers. If you find such an item, contact the issuer or hand it to the police.
• Do not post photos that show personal information on found items.
• For found pets, missing persons or emergencies, call 911 first. For items lost on transit or in a venue, also contact that operator's lost-property office.
• Meet in a public place and ask the claimant to describe the item. Never pay or send money to get an item back, and remove your notice once it is resolved.
7. Gigs, classifieds and photos
Gigs and classifieds (moving help, dog walking, tutoring, items for sale, small bazaar) must follow these rules:
• Describe the offer honestly: what, when, where (neighborhood only) and the price, if any. Payment is arranged directly between users; Brooklyn.town does not process it.
• Items for sale must be yours to sell, legal to sell, and as described.
• Photos must be your own or ones you have the right to use. No faces of minors, no sensitive data (IDs, documents, screens showing personal data). We remove EXIF metadata automatically.
• If you offer services involving children, pets or homes, describe your experience honestly. We do not check backgrounds.
• No gigs that ask the worker to pay, or that are illegal, unlicensed or unsafe.
8. Jobs and candidate profiles
Employers, recruiters and candidates agree to the following:
• Job posts must be real, current vacancies. Job seekers are never charged: do not ask candidates to pay to apply, interview, be hired or be listed. Report anyone who does.
• Pay transparency: where the law requires (New York City and New York State), and by default on this site, job posts must include a good-faith salary or hourly range.
• Non-discrimination: do not exclude or prefer people based on protected traits under the NYC Human Rights Law and State and federal law, such as race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, caregiver status or immigration status.
• Fair Chance Act: do not ask about criminal history in job ads or applications. The law sets when and how it may be considered, and only after a conditional offer.
• Candidates: share only what you want employers to see. Do not put your Social Security number, ID numbers, date of birth or full home address in your CV.
• Employers: use candidate details only for hiring. No resale, no spam, no passing them to others. Profiles are shared only with the candidate's opt-in consent.
• Planned paid options for businesses will not change these rules or exempt anyone from moderation.
9. Rooms and apartments for rent
Room and apartment listings (free or paid ads) must follow these rules:
• List only places you have the right to rent or sublet, and be accurate about price, fees, neighborhood, availability and condition.
• No discrimination: New York City and State law prohibit discriminatory housing ads, including those based on source of income (for example vouchers), race, family status, disability or immigration status. Do not write things like “no children” or “no vouchers”.
• Do not ask for money before a viewing and a written agreement, and know New York's legal limits on deposits and fees.
• Illegal or unsafe units, including unlawful sublets, are not allowed. An ad does not replace a written lease.
10. Safety tips
Basic precautions that protect most people:
• Meeting strangers: meet in public, busy places, tell a friend where you are going, bring your phone, and leave if you feel uncomfortable.
• Selling items: prefer cash in person or payment methods you trust. Beware of overpayment checks, requests to ship before payment, and verification codes sent by text. Never share passwords or codes.
• Hiring helpers or tradespeople: check references, licenses and insurance, agree on price and scope in writing, and do not pay everything upfront.
• Job seekers: be wary of offers that ask for money, bank details or your Social Security number before a formal hire, or that seem too good to be true. Real employers do not charge you.
• Renting: never wire money or pay before seeing the place and confirming who owns it. Ask for a written lease.
• Tutoring and care: first meet in a public place or with a parent present. For minors, a parent or guardian should always be involved.
• If something looks suspicious, report it to contact@brooklyn.town.
11. Moderation, reporting and consequences
All submissions are reviewed before publication. We may reject, edit or remove content, and block repeat offenders.
To report a post, write to contact@brooklyn.town with the web address of the post and the reason. In an emergency, call 911.
We may cooperate with law enforcement where the law requires it.
See also: Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer & Important Notices