HOUSE RULES
Introduction
The roommate experience can be wonderful or miserable – we’ve had both kinds. Our experience is that the clearer the expectations and understandings going into the situation, the more likely a good match will be made and the experience will be pleasant for all.
Agreement to Adhere to the House Rules
1. You agree to adhere to these House Rules.
2. Violation of the House Rules is grounds for informal or formal eviction.
3. Agreement by two roommates that the third has violated House Rules is sufficient to determine that a violation has occurred. In the event that only two roommates occupy the home and a dispute arises, the landlord shall substitute for the third roommate for purposes of determining if a violation of the House Rules has occurred.
4. The senior roommate is the roommate who either owns the home or has lived here the longest.
Security Deposit
5. If you have decent credit, a security deposit equal to one month’s rent plus one month’s average utility expenses is required before moving in. (state amount here). If you have poor or no credit, you will be asked to provide two months’ worth of security deposit (state amount here)
Furniture
6. There is limited room in this house for additional furniture. The bedroom you are renting comes with (list items here). If you don’t want these items in your room, we can have them removed.
7. If you have other furniture that you want to bring, it either needs to fit in your bedroom or be approved by the other roommates.
8. Most of the furniture in the house belongs to the landlord, and except for normal wear and tear, any damage you cause to it is your responsibility and should be promptly repaired or replaced, or the cost will be deducted from your security deposit.
9. Some of the furniture in the common areas belongs to other roommates, and except for normal wear and tear, any damage you cause to it is your responsibility and should be promptly repaired or replaced, or you will be asked to reimburse the owner for the cost of repair or replacement.
10. The roommates here have limited resources, so please do not bring in excessively expensive or fragile items – or if you do bring such items keep them in your room.
Rent and Utilities
11. Rent and Utility payments are due on the first of the month – there is no grace period. If you are late with your payments, late fees will be charged as follows:
a. Rent late fee - $25 (goes to landlord)
b. Utility late fee - $25 (goes to landlord) or whatever the actual utility late fee is, whichever is greater
c. Cable TV / Internet late fee - $15 (goes to roommate with service in their name)
12. You are expected to put your rent, gas and electricity payment in a sealed envelope addressed to “LANDLORD” and leave it in the foyer.
13. Cable TV / Internet payments are to be given to the person whose name the service is in – typically the senior roommate.
14. If you fall behind in rent or utility payments by 15 days or more you will be asked to move out because your lateness creates a burden upon the other roommates and is not acceptable. Your reliability of payments is important to a harmonious relationship.
Guests
15. This home is first and foremost the private living quarters of the roommates who live here.
16. Guests are allowed within reason, but the other roommates reserve a veto right at all times over all guests. The veto right exists because it is imperative that all roommates feel comfortable and at peace in their own home. The veto right means that if a roommate is made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe by any guest of yours, upon request you must immediately remove the guest from the premises. If, having been asked to remove a guest from the premises by a roommate, you fail or refuse to do so, the guest may be forcibly removed and/or the police called.
17. Excessive frequency or number of guests is an imposition on the other roommates and should be avoided.
18. You must be present and supervise your guests at all times unless otherwise agreed by the other roommates. This is especially true of children guests and especially if they are using the pool area. If you need to leave while you have a guest present, you should take the guest with you unless expressly agreed otherwise with the other roommates.
19. Do not assume that your roommates will greet or watch your guests or even be home at the time. Do not invite a guest over if you are not here to greet them when they arrive.
20. Do not consider your roommates as babysitters or child care providers. If you wish to enter any kind of arrangement for such services with another roommate, such should be in writing for business and liability purposes.
21. Girlfriends / Boyfriends or family members are not exempt from the veto rule above.
22. Girlfriends / Boyfriends / family members may occasionally spend the night at the discretion of the other roommates. You do not have an automatic right to have anyone spend the night any time you like. Generally, overnight guests should be limited to weekend nights unless specifically approved by the other roommates, and the number of overnight visits should be limited to two nights per week.
23. Any guest still present after 2am is considered an overnight guest.
24. Overnight guests should sleep in your bedroom, unless specifically approved to sleep elsewhere by the other roommates. We consider it rude and unacceptable to wake up and find an unapproved guest (especially a stranger) sleeping in the living room or den, especially during work days. This is an imposition upon the other roommates who value their privacy and freedom in their own home.
25. Parties. This home is suitable for entertaining guests from time to time but only with the approval of the other roommates.
a. A party is defined as more than 2 guests visiting at any one time, regardless of what activities they are engaged in
b. If you invite guests to a party here, you are considered a/the host and you are responsible for the party and your guests.
c. If you or your guests make a mess, you are responsible to clean it up.
d. Unless expressly agreed by all roommates, parties should be cleaned up immediately upon finishing. Do not leave the mess for the morning because that imposes upon the other roommates.
e. You must supervise your guests at all times. Do not invite guests here and then leave, assuming the other roommates will take responsibility for them or even want them present. If you leave you should generally take your guests with you unless otherwise agreed by all roommates.
f. Any roommate has a right to ask any guest to leave the home at any time. However, the preferred manner of handling such an instance is to inform the roommate who invited the guest that the guest needs to leave and let that roommate handle it. If the roommate fails to handle it in a prompt manner, the guest may be asked to leave directly.
Noise
26. We live in a residential neighborhood close to other neighbors and children. It is imperative that everyone in this home as well as our neighbors be allowed to live in peace and tranquility in their home. Therefore, you are requested to keep your noise to acceptable levels for the time of day, and be considerate of your roommates and neighbors. From time to time we do like to play the music or television loud, but we are all very sensitive to others and will reduce the volume whenever requested.
27. Outside music should be turned down to low levels or off by 9pm on weekdays and 12 midnight on weekends unless otherwise expressly agreed by all roommates.
28. If we are planning to make excessive noise for any reason, we should be respectful of our neighbors and inform them in advance.
Arguing and Violence
29. While arguments do occur sometimes, we are all adults and respectful of each other. Arguments should be held civilly and respectfully. Use of a third party is recommended for settling disputes. While arguments do occur, yelling and screaming are unnecessary and disrupt the peace and tranquility of our home and neighborhood.
30. Resorting to violence is not acceptable in this house, and anyone initiating violence against another will be evicted and criminal charges filed.
Practical Jokes & Bounds of Humor
31. It is imperative that all roommates feel safe and secure in their home at all times. Accordingly, practical jokes are not allowed.
32. This is a progressive, accepting and tolerant home where we hold and demonstrate respect for all people, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Accordingly, jokes that are discriminatory, racist or otherwise offensive should be avoided.
Pets
33. No additional pets may come to visit or live in this home without the express consent of all current roommates, whether or not they are home. Some roommates may be allergic to certain animals and therefore must be approved PRIOR to them arriving in the house.
34. If you are approved to bring in a pet, you are fully responsible for it in all respects, including repair or replacement of damage or care for any injury it may cause.
35. If you are approved to bring in a pet to reside, you will be asked to supply an additional security deposit to cover any damages the pet may cause. The amount of the additional security deposit will be determined at the time based on the kind of pet.
36. You agree to release and indemnify the other roommates and the landlord from any liability associated with your pet.
37. If you invite a guest with a pet, you are also responsible for any damage or injury caused by the pet as well as the guest.
Theft
38. Theft is strictly forbidden and theft of any kind is grounds for immediate eviction.
39. You are responsible for any theft or damage committed by your guest(s) or their pet(s) or child(ren).
Food
40. Food is property of the person who bought it. Generally, you should not eat someone else’s food unless you ask and obtain permission in advance. If you eat someone else’s food without advance permission, you must inform them as soon as possible to offer to replace it immediately.
41. One exception to the above rule about food is perishable items and leftovers. If perishable items or leftovers are approaching or past their expiration date, anyone may, within reason, consume them without having to replace them.
42. While you are free to eat in your room, do not store food or beverages in your room, and do not leave dirty dishes, cups, glasses or utensils in your room because a) everyone needs to use them, and b) you will attract insects or rodents.
Your Room
43. Your room is generally your private space. You may lock your room with a standard knob key lock – no deadbolts or chains.
44. You may furnish your room how you like, but do not paint the walls without permission from the landlord.
45. You may make holes in the walls but you are responsible to repair them when you leave or you will be charged for damages.
46. You must vacuum the carpets in your room at least twice per month.
47. The carpets in the entire house will be cleaned annually and you must participate and have the carpet in your room also cleaned.
48. Just because you are in your room doesn’t mean we cannot hear you. Be considerate of your roommates and neighbors.
49. Do not remove the screen from your window except when cleaning.
50. Keep your window locked when you are not home.
51. If you put a lock on your door, you need to leave a key with the senior roommate in case of emergency or the reasons stated below.
52. Roommates will respect your privacy and generally not enter your room without knocking and/or receiving permission to enter, except:
a. In case of an emergency
b. If we hear trouble such as a burglar or trouble like falling, screaming, crashing, etc.
c. If we need to access your room for maintenance purposes (we will most likely discuss this in advance)
d. To retrieve dishes or glasses (this should never need to happen, but it has)
e. If we think you may be in danger or ill
f. If you are not present and leave an alarm buzzing, or other audible appliances running – we will turn them off.
g. If we smell anything dangerous.
Security
53. You are responsible to ensure the house is locked when you leave.
54. We generally keep the front door locked at all times, even when home.
55. Do not lend or give your house key to anyone, including boyfriends or girlfriends, without express consent of the other roommates.
56. Do not make copies of any house keys without the knowledge and consent of the other roommates.
57. Do not leave any property in front of the house.
58. Keep the side gate by the trash locked when not in use. The key goes in the garage on the wall.
Borrowing and Lending
59. Borrowing or lending of money between roommates is highly discouraged and even just a request to borrow creates an imposition and feeling of discomfort upon the other roommates, infringing on their peace and tranquility of their home.
60. With the exception of kitchen items, borrowing of property of roommates is up to the owner and you should always ask before borrowing any property or else it may be considered theft. If you borrow or use someone’s property, you are responsible to return it as soon as you are finished with it, in the condition in which it started, and put it back where you found it. If you borrow clothing items, you are responsible to appropriately wash them before returning them, and for damage cause by improper washing.
Kitchen / Dishes
61. Kitchen items and utensils are the property of their owner but because of limited space for these items are shared by all. However, you are responsible for damage you cause, as with all other property.
62. You are expected to wash and put away your dishes promptly after your meal. Leaving dirty dishes in the sink for any extended period (more than 1 hour after your meal) is considered rude for two reasons: a) you are implying that someone else should clean your mess, and b) those dishes are not available for the next person to use without cleaning them first.
63. We wash our dishes by hand. The dishwasher does a poor job of cleaning, takes over an hour to wash 1 load, is very loud, and uses more water and electricity than necessary.
64. You are expected to clean your dishes thoroughly and using proper technique. No one wants to find food particles on their clean dish because you were too lazy to clean properly.
65. Lay dishes flat. If you put a dish in the sink, make sure it lays flat and is well supported so that it doesn’t break. Try to avoid pilling dishes up.
66. Soaking dishes. If you want to soak a pan or pot, do that individually – do not fill the entire sink and put lots of dishes in there – that is how dishes and glasses get broken and people get cut reaching into soapy water.
Home Maintenance Chores
67. Each roommate must participate in maintenance and cleaning of the home and garden each and every week. If you go on an extended trip, you can trade weeks with another roommate who is willing to trade.
68. The senior roommate shall maintain a weekly schedule of chores posted on the refrigerator indicating whose turn it is to do which chores. Chores will be mixed so that no one always does the same chores every week and so that everyone does all activities. You may trade chores with another roommate only with their express consent.
69. Weekly chores must be done within the seven days of the week in which they are scheduled. Failure to complete all of your chores within that timeframe will result in a $50 inconvenience fee that will be divided between the other roommates in proportion to the amount of work they did in picking up your slack.
70. Alternatively, if all roommates agree we can hire a gardener or maid to clean up and split the cost between us.
71. When split between three roommates, these chores usually don’t take long to do. The chores that generally need to be done in the house each week include the following:
· Home
o Vacuum carpets
o Clean bathroom
o Take out trash and recycling & put cans away
o Mop Kitchen / Dining area
o Dust / clear cobwebs
o Wash towels / tablecloth
· Yard and Garden
o Pull weeds / trim bushes / trees
o Water lawn & plants (try to avoid watering during full sun & heat)
o Mow lawn and edge
o Ensure pool is full
Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol
72. All smoking must be either outside or in the garage.
73. Do not put your cigarette butts out on the concrete, the flower beds or grass. Cigarette butts belong only in ashtrays.
74. Alcohol and marijuana within reason are acceptable substances in this home, but cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin or other hard drugs are not acceptable here.
75. Prescription drugs are acceptable, preferably with a prescription and when used as directed. Abuse of prescription drugs is a problem which affects others and should be avoided.
76. Being constantly drunk is not acceptable here. Alcoholism is a serious disease and negatively impacts everyone close to those suffering from it. While drinking alcohol is acceptable, it needs to be moderate and healthy.
77. Anyone drinking alcohol in this home must be of legal drinking age.
78. We look out for each other here. Roommates don’t let roommates or guests drive drunk. If your guests are drunk they will not be permitted to drive. If they don’t have permission to sleep over, you will be expected to get them a taxicab home.
79. Driving while drunk demonstrates one’s irresponsibility and willingness to risk the lives of others. If you are that irresponsible, you cannot live here. We do not tolerate drunk driving among our roommates, whether or not we are present or witness to it. If you are found to be driving drunk, regardless of where the drinking or the driving occurred, you will asked to move out. If your guests are found to be driving drunk, they will no longer be welcome here.
80. No selling of drugs of any kind may take place in or near this house or neighborhood.
81. Growing marijuana for personal use at the house is only permitted if all roommates agree, and in that case must be limited to only the levels permitted strictly by law. If all roommates agree, the plants must be kept in a location agreed by all roommates. In this event, the other roommates shall be held harmless and indemnified against damage or loss to such plants and are in no way responsible for them unless intentionally damaged or stolen.
Temperature
82. If no people or pets are home, you should turn off the A/C and heat to save money. Turn on again when you get home. We have a good system, it cools / heats the home quickly.
83. When people or pets are home, we like to keep the home at a comfortable temperature – in the summer between 77 and 81, and during the winter between 70 and 73.
84. We all split the utility bills equally, regardless of how much time you spend at home.
85. When the heat or A/C are on, all outside windows and doors need to be closed.
86. When you open the windows or outside doors for any extended time, turn off the A/C or heat.
Lights
87. Try to conserve electricity and money by turning off lights, televisions and other appliances when not actively using them.
Communications
88. Unlike some roommate situations, we consider this home a family of sorts. That means that you are not just renting a room here and have no other responsibility to communicate or interact with the roommates and others whom you may see. This is a social home, and we like interacting with each other, but we also respect each other’s need for quiet and privacy.
89. Although this is not a strict requirement, if you are going store and any roommate is home, we consider it polite and courteous to ask if they need anything (within reason). Of course they are expected to pay for what they want.
90. We inform each other about our general activities and whereabouts for safety, security and planning purposes. It is especially important that you communicate in advance if you plan to be away for any length of time. If more than 24 hours go by and you haven’t talked with, seen or texted a roommate, we may think something is wrong. While we are not responsible for each other, we care about each other and do our best to see that we are all safe and whereabouts known.
Whether you choose to room with us or elsewhere, we recommend that you establish clear rules in advance whenever you plan to live with others. Best of Luck!
These are clear and specific house rules, which would be very appropriate in many situations, such as an adult child moving home with parents. So many hard feelings are caused by not having clear explanations of rules and expectations. Having them in writing should be a "must" to avoid confusion and assumptions. Thanks for "house rules".
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