Terms & Conditions
Last updated: February 2026
These Terms & Conditions, together with our separate Hunt Rules and Privacy Notice, govern your participation in Sofa Sleuths armchair treasure hunts.
We’re a small UK hobby project run by one person — everything is designed to be fair, transparent, and fun.
No purchase is necessary when we run a free hunt.
All competitions are genuine skill-based prize competitions under UK law.
By entering any hunt, you agree to these terms. If anything is unclear, just email us: here — we’re real people and always happy to explain.
Prize
The prize for each hunt will be clearly stated on the hunt page or in the entry form (e.g., £50 cash for the main prize in our pilot hunt).
All prizes are cash only and paid via PayPal to a valid PayPal account provided by the winner.
No cash alternative, substitution, or transfer is permitted.
Prizes will be paid within 48 hours of the winner being announced and providing their PayPal details.
Runner-up Prize (if applicable)
If multiple correct entries are received, the main prize will be awarded to the first correct entry by timestamp.
A runner-up prize (e.g., £15 in our pilot hunt) may be awarded to one additional correct entrant, selected randomly from the remaining correct entries using verifiable random.org.
Runner-up prizes are also paid via PayPal and subject to the same terms as the main prize.
Winner Notification & Claim
The winner(s) will be notified via the email address provided at entry, usually within 24–48 hours of the hunt closing.
The winner must claim the prize and provide valid PayPal details within 7 days of notification.
If the winner does not respond or provide details within this time, we reserve the right to select a replacement winner or reallocate the prize at our discretion.
Publication & Proof
Winners will be announced publicly on our website and/or Facebook group (anonymised for privacy unless the winner consents otherwise).
Proof of payment (anonymised PayPal receipt screenshot) will be shared on the Past Hunts & Winners page to maintain transparency.
Eligibility
Open to anyone aged 18 years or over.
Excludes the organiser, immediate family members, or anyone professionally connected to the promotion.
Entry Methods
All entries — whether free or paid — are judged equally on accuracy and timestamp.
Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage (e.g., multiple accounts, automated submissions) may result in disqualification at our discretion.
No purchase is necessary when a free hunt is offered. Free entries are always treated exactly the same as paid entries.
Free hunts (when offered):
One entry per person only.
Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified.
Click the "Enter Free Hunt" button on the website to access the clues. Once you’ve received the clues email, submit your full answer via the submission link provided in that email.
Paid-only hunts (no free route available):
Multiple paid entries from the same person are allowed, provided each is submitted separately and paid in full directly through the secure payment option on the Enter Hunt form.
Entries must be received before the published closing time for that hunt. Late entries will not be accepted.
General Prize Terms
We aim to award a winner for every hunt. If no fully correct entry is received by the deadline, the prize may roll over to the next hunt or be awarded to the closest correct entry, at our discretion.
All decisions regarding prizes, winners, tie-breakers, disqualifications, and any other matters relating to the competition are final and binding.
We reserve the right to disqualify any entry or winner if we reasonably believe there has been a breach of these Terms, the Hunt Rules, or if any unfair advantage has been gained.
Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other alternatives except as explicitly stated in these Terms.
We will not be held liable for any failure or delay in email delivery (including clues, winner notifications, or other communications) caused by factors outside our reasonable control, such as spam filters, incorrect email addresses provided by entrants, email provider issues, or internet connectivity problems.
Entrants are responsible for ensuring their email settings allow messages from [email protected]
These prize terms form part of the overall Terms & Conditions and are subject to the same governing law (England & Wales) and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Ready to Start Sleuthing?
Ready to put your deduction skills to the test? Our cosy armchair treasure hunts are designed for fun from home — with cash prizes for the sharpest minds who crack the cryptic clues. No travel, just your wits!
See full details in our Rules page
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