Your information,
handled with care.

Last updated: November 6, 2026

Ownstep is operated by Gatewiser LLC ("Ownstep", "we", "us"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you use ownstep.co (the "Site"), how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Site you agree to this policy and to our Terms of Service.

Information we collect

Information you give us

Profile details: your name, email address, password (stored only as a one-way hash), and the planning preferences you enter such as preferred location, rent budget, bedroom count, timeline and savings scenario, and the approximate credit score range and monthly household income you choose to enter. These figures are your own estimates. We never request or pull a credit report.
Mobile phone number: only if you choose to add it. Your number and your text message consent are described in the Text messaging section.
Activity in your workspace: homes you save, checklist steps you complete, homes you compare and the messages you send about a home.
Messages to us: anything you include when you contact us by email.

Information collected automatically

When you use the Site we and our hosting provider record standard technical information such as your IP address, browser type, the pages you visit and the time of each request. This is used to operate, secure and improve the Site. We use a strictly necessary session cookie to keep you signed in and to protect forms against forgery. We do not use advertising cookies or third party analytics scripts on the Site.

How we use information

To create and maintain your profile and workspace.
To show you homes and planning tools that match the preferences you entered.
To pass your questions about a home to the team that manages that home and to reply to you.
To send service emails such as password reset links and confirmations.
To send text messages if, and only if, you have opted in.
To protect the Site, prevent abuse and comply with law.

Your savings scenario, credit score range, income and other planning inputs are shown back to you as a planning aid, for example to compare them with the baseline that lease-to-own programs publish. They are not used to make credit, lending or housing eligibility decisions.

Home listings shown on the Site come from a public rental listing data provider. When you search for homes, the location you enter (city, state or ZIP code) is sent to that provider; your name, email address and other profile details are not.

We do not sell personal information. We share information only in these cases:

Home inquiries: when you ask about a home, we send your name, email address and your message to the listing office or the owner or manager of that home so they can respond. We do not share your credit score range or income with them unless you include it in your message.
Service providers: companies that host the Site, deliver email, or deliver text messages on our behalf. They may use the information only to provide that service to us.
Legal reasons: when required by law, legal process, or to protect the rights, safety and property of Ownstep, our users or others.
Business transfers: if Gatewiser LLC is involved in a merger, acquisition or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction under this policy.

No mobile information will be sold or shared with third parties/affiliates for promotional or marketing purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

Text messaging

If you opt in to text messages from Ownstep, we collect your mobile phone number, the date, time and source of your consent, the exact consent language you agreed to, and the messages we exchange with you. We use this information only to send you the messages you asked for, to respond to your requests, to honor opt-outs, and to keep a record of your consent.

Opting in is never required to create a profile, to save homes or to ask about a home. Text message consent is collected with its own unchecked box and is separate from accepting these policies.

We share text messaging information only with service providers that deliver the messages on our behalf (such as our messaging provider), who may use it solely for that purpose.

You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message. You will receive one confirmation message and nothing further. You can also remove your number or uncheck text messages under Settings in your workspace, or email us at contact@ownstep.co. For help, reply HELP or contact us by email. The full program terms are in the SMS Terms section of our Terms of Service.

How long we keep information

We keep your profile and workspace information for as long as your profile exists. If you delete your profile under Settings, your profile, saved homes, checklist, messages and password are deleted. We keep a minimal record of text message consent and opt-out events (phone number, time, source and consent language) as evidence that messaging was authorized and stopped, as the law requires. Technical logs are kept for a limited period for security purposes.

Your choices and rights

You can view and edit your profile and planning preferences at any time under Settings.
You can add, change or remove your mobile number and text message preference under Settings.
You can delete your profile under Settings, or email us to request deletion.
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct or delete personal information, or to object to certain uses. To exercise these rights, email us at the address below. We will verify your request and respond within the time required by applicable law. We do not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

Children

The Site is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided information to us, contact us and we will delete it.

Security

We use encrypted connections (HTTPS), hashed passwords, and access controls to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top shows when it was last changed. If the changes are material we will notify you by email or with a notice on the Site before they take effect.

Contact

Questions about this policy or your information? Email contact@ownstep.co or write to Gatewiser LLC, 30 N Gould Street, Sheridan, WY 82801, United States.

Your information,handled with care.