Manage Roomster

How to cancel roomster: your complete south african guide

What roomster is and why you might want to leave

Roomster is a mobile app and web platform that helps you find flatmates, shared housing, or people seeking similar living arrangements. You create a profile, browse listings, message other users, and optionally pay for identity verification or background checks to build trust with potential housemates.

The service operates on a freemium model with optional paid subscriptions and add-on features. While it connects thousands of people across South Africa seeking housing solutions, you might decide to cancel if you have already found a flat, prefer alternative platforms, or simply want to reduce your monthly expenses. Stopee understands that circumstances change, and your decision to cancel deserves a straightforward, guilt-free process.

Core features you get with roomster

The platform offers searchable roommate listings filtered by location, price, and preferences. You can send and receive direct messages within the app, post your own listings, and access "full access" paid tiers that unlock premium messaging and visibility features. Optional add-ons include identity verification (one-time purchase) and background checks to verify housemates before you commit to a shared living situation.

Your consumer rights in south africa

The consumer protection act and your cooling-off period

South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA) gives you important safeguards when cancelling digital services. Under section 16 of the CPA, you have a 7-day cooling-off period for certain distance transactions, particularly those entered into following direct marketing or unsolicited solicitations. This means if you subscribed to Roomster after clicking an ad or promotional email, you may have grounds to request a refund within 7 days of purchase, regardless of what Roomster's Terms of Service state.

Roomster's publicly available Terms emphasise a strict no-refund policy if you have used any services, including posting listings or accessing messaging. However, South African consumer law may override this restriction. If Roomster refuses your refund claim within the 7-day window, you can escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC), South Africa's official consumer authority, which has the power to investigate complaints and enforce refunds. Stopee encourages you to keep screenshots of your purchase confirmation, subscription dates, and any communication with Roomster as evidence.

What "services rendered" means and how it affects refunds

Roomster defines "services rendered" to include posting listings, entering profile information, using messaging, using the Megaphone feature (for boosting visibility), accessing the Mailbox, or completing an ID Check. If you have done any of these, Roomster will likely refuse a refund under their standard terms. However, if you signed up, realised the service was not for you, and cancelled before actually using these features, you have a stronger case for a refund under the CPA's cooling-off provision.

How to cancel roomster in south africa

Cancelling via the roomster website (recommended method)

The web method gives you the clearest record of your cancellation and is fastest to process. Follow these steps to cancel your Roomster subscription on the website:

1. Open your web browser and go to the Roomster website.
2. Log in to your account using your email address and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" and reset it via the email link sent to your inbox.
3. Click your profile icon or account menu (usually located in the top-right corner).
4. Navigate to "Settings" or "Account Settings".
5. Scroll down to find "Subscription" or "Billing" settings.
6. Select "Cancel my Subscription" or the equivalent option.
   • Roomster may ask you why you are leaving. You can skip this question or provide feedback if you wish.
7. Confirm your cancellation when prompted.
8. Look for a confirmation message stating that your subscription will end at the close of your current billing period.
9. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page for your records.

Pro tip: Check your email immediately after cancelling. Roomster should send a confirmation email within a few minutes. If you do not receive one within 1 hour, log back in and verify that the cancellation was processed. Some users report that the website cancellation sometimes fails silently, and repeating the steps ensures it goes through.

Cancelling a subscription purchased through apple app store

If you subscribed to Roomster via the Apple App Store on an iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through Apple's own subscription management system, not within the Roomster app itself. Apple handles the billing directly, and only Apple can process your cancellation.

1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
3. Tap "Subscriptions".
4. Find "Roomster" in the list of active subscriptions.
5. Tap on "Roomster".
6. Tap "Cancel Subscription".
   • Apple will ask if you are sure. Confirm by tapping "Confirm".
7. You should see a message confirming that your subscription will end on a specific date.
8. Take a screenshot of this confirmation.

Warning: Do not delete the Roomster app from your device before confirming the cancellation is complete. Deleting the app does not cancel your subscription; you will still be charged until you cancel within the App Store settings.

Cancelling a subscription purchased through google play

If you subscribed to Roomster on Android via the Google Play Store, Google manages your billing and subscription, so you must cancel through Google Play, not through Roomster itself.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
3. Tap "Manage my Google Account".
4. Swipe across to the "Payments and subscriptions" tab.
5. Tap "Subscriptions".
6. Select "Roomster" from the list.
7. Tap "Cancel Subscription".
8. Follow the on-screen prompts and confirm your cancellation.
9. Google will display a date showing when your subscription access ends.

Pro tip: Google sometimes offers a retention discount when you attempt to cancel. You can decline this and proceed with cancellation, or accept it if you wish to keep the subscription. Either choice is yours to make without pressure.

What happens after you cancel

Your access and account status

Cancellation takes effect immediately in terms of new charges, but your access does not stop right away. You retain full access to Roomster until the end of your current paid billing period. For example, if your subscription renews on the 25th of each month and you cancel on the 10th, you keep access until the 25th, then downgrade to the free "Basic Membership" tier automatically.

During this notice period, you can continue to message other users, view listings, and use all premium features you paid for. Once the billing cycle ends, Roomster removes your paid features, but your profile and basic account remain active unless you choose to delete them separately.

Your data and profile after cancellation

Cancelling your subscription does not delete your account or profile. Your profile picture, bio, listings you posted, and message history remain on Roomster's servers. If you wish to erase your data entirely, you must request account deletion separately through your Account Settings. Stopee recommends doing this if you are concerned about privacy or no longer want your information on the platform.

No further subscription charges should appear on your payment method after the current billing period ends. If you do see a charge after cancellation, contact Roomster's support immediately with your cancellation confirmation and request a refund.

Refunds and what you should expect

Roomster's refund policy explained

Roomster's published Terms of Service state that refunds are only available if no "services rendered" have occurred. The company defines "services rendered" broadly to include posting listings, adding profile information, messaging other users, using the Megaphone visibility boost, accessing the Mailbox, or completing an ID Check. If you have done any of these, Roomster will deny a refund under its standard terms.

However, this strict policy does not fully align with South African consumer law. Under the CPA's 7-day cooling-off period, you may qualify for a refund even if you have used basic features, provided you subscribed as a result of direct marketing and you request the refund within 7 days of purchase.

How to request a refund if you cancel within 7 days

If you believe you are entitled to a refund under the CPA's cooling-off period, follow this approach:

1. Cancel your subscription using the methods outlined above.
2. Contact Roomster's customer support via email or in-app support chat.
3. Explain that you are invoking your CPA cooling-off right as a South African consumer and that you wish to request a refund within the 7-day window.
4. Provide your subscription purchase date, the date you are requesting the refund, and your order or subscription reference number.
5. Keep copies of all communication, your cancellation confirmation, and your payment receipt.
6. If Roomster refuses, escalate to the National Consumer Commission at complaints.ncc.org.za or call 0800 035 001.

Warning: Roomster may take 2 to 4 weeks to respond to a refund request. Do not assume silence means approval. Follow up every 7 days if you do not hear back, and keep detailed notes of each contact attempt.

Pricing and subscription tiers in south africa

What roomster costs and what you pay for

Roomster's pricing varies by platform and promotion. Below is a summary of typical costs based on current App Store listings in South Africa:

Exact billing cycles (weekly, monthly, annual) are not always clear from in-app listings and may be hidden until you proceed to purchase. Stopee recommends checking your payment confirmation email for full billing details before committing to any subscription.

Common mistakes people make when cancelling roomster

Avoiding cancellation traps

Cancelling can feel stressful, especially when a company makes the process deliberately unclear. Here are the pitfalls Stopee has seen repeatedly, and how to avoid them:

Mistake 1: Deleting the app instead of cancelling. Uninstalling Roomster from your phone does not cancel your subscription. Your payment method will continue to be charged every billing cycle. Always cancel within the app or your device's subscription settings before uninstalling.

Mistake 2: Cancelling through the wrong platform. If you subscribed via Apple App Store, cancelling on the Roomster website will not work. You must cancel within Apple's subscription settings. Similarly, Google Play subscriptions must be cancelled through Google Play, not the web or the app itself. Each platform is independent.

Mistake 3: Not taking a screenshot of the confirmation. Roomster's confirmation pages sometimes disappear from your account history after a few days. Screenshot your cancellation confirmation immediately so you have proof if Roomster tries to charge you again.

Mistake 4: Assuming you will get an immediate refund. Cancellation stops future charges but does not automatically refund the current billing period. Refunds are extremely limited under Roomster's terms and may require a formal CPA complaint if you believe you qualify.

Mistake 5: Ignoring promotional offers during cancellation. When you attempt to cancel on the website, Roomster may display a discount offer ("Stay for just R9.99 this month!"). This is a retention tactic. If you do not want to stay subscribed, ignore the offer and proceed with full cancellation.

A step-by-step checklist for a clean cancellation

Tick off each item to confirm your cancellation is complete

Use this checklist to ensure you have cancelled correctly and protected yourself from surprise charges:

1. Identified where you subscribed (Roomster website, Apple App Store, or Google Play).
2. Logged in to your account or device subscription settings.
3. Located the Subscription or Billing section.
4. Clicked "Cancel Subscription" and confirmed the cancellation.
5. Took a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation message, including the date your access ends.
6. Saved the confirmation email Roomster sends to your inbox.
7. Checked your subscription settings again within 24 hours to verify the status shows "Cancelled" or "Expires on [date]".
8. Noted the exact date your paid access ends so you can monitor your payment method.
9. Set a calendar reminder for the day after your access ends to confirm you were not charged.
10. If you wish to fully delete your account, submitted a separate account deletion request through Settings.

Stopee's checklist approach has helped thousands of South African consumers confirm their cancellations are final and prevent unwanted re-billing.

How stopee helps you cancel with confidence

Your resource for cancellation and consumer rights

Cancelling a subscription should never feel like a puzzle or a trap. Stopee is an independent consumer advocacy platform dedicated to cutting through corporate jargon and giving you clear, step-by-step instructions to cancel any service. Whether you are dealing with Roomster, gym memberships, streaming apps, or international subscriptions, Stopee walks you through the exact buttons to click, the consumer rights you have, and what to do if a company refuses to let you go.

Our guides are written by consumer advocates who have helped thousands of South Africans recover refunds, cancel unwanted subscriptions, and stand up to unfair terms. We also flag your legal rights under the Consumer Protection Act and show you how to escalate complaints to the National Consumer Commission when companies ignore your cancellation requests or refuse lawful refunds.

If Roomster makes cancellation difficult or charges you after you have cancelled, Stopee provides the evidence templates, complaint letters, and escalation paths you need to hold the company accountable. Visit Stopee.com to explore guides for hundreds of other services, read real consumer reviews, and access free tools to track your subscriptions.

Contact details and escalation options

Where to send a cancellation request or complaint about roomster

If Roomster's standard cancellation process does not work or you dispute a refusal, use these contact options:

Roomster support contact (general): Use the in-app "Help" or "Contact Support" button, or visit the Roomster website's Help section to locate their email address or support portal.

For refund disputes under the Consumer Protection Act: Send a formal written complaint to the National Consumer Commission at complaints.ncc.org.za or call 0800 035 001 (toll-free in South Africa). Include your subscription purchase date, proof of payment, cancellation date, and evidence of any unauthorised charges.

For chargebacks: If Roomster continues to charge you after cancellation, contact your bank or payment provider immediately and request a chargeback. Provide them with your cancellation confirmation and proof that charges continued after the cancellation date.

Keep your cancellation records organised

Document everything. Create a folder (physical or digital) containing your cancellation confirmation screenshot, any confirmation emails from Roomster, payment receipts, and copies of any correspondence with Roomster support or your bank. If a dispute arises weeks or months later, these records are your proof that you cancelled on a specific date.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel Roomster and other services with confidence. Whether your cancellation is straightforward or you hit a snag, you now have the knowledge, the legal framework, and the escalation contacts to see it through. Your subscription is yours to end. Make the choice that works for your life, and do not let corporate friction slow you down.