The Bottom Line on House Rules
The dream of homeownership often brings with it the independence of owning your own space, decorating it as you wish and living by your own rules. Yet when you reside in a co-op or condominium with possibly hundreds of other residents, your behavior and lifestyle must conform to a reasonable standard. With that in mind, all buildings establish house rules – guidelines outlining policies for proper behavior and rules for keeping your property safe and well-maintained. Incorporated as part of the governing documents, house rules help residents live together in peace and harmony – well, most of the time, anyway.
Standard house rules control such things as subletting, pets, noise, or cell phone usage, decorations in common areas and hallways, ensure the proper disposal and storage of garbage and debris, and other quality of life issues.
House rules are common-sense etiquette for living in a multiple dwelling. The rules are the day-to-day conduct which owners and shareholders are supposed to follow.”
The duty of house rules belongs solely to the board of directors – the only authorities who can change, amend or add a rule.
Enforcing the Rules
Unfortunately, there are going to be incidents when somebody has broken the house rules. For example, if music must be lowered by 10 p.m., there may be a neighbor who keeps cranking the tunes well past midnight, or a resident who decides to renovate without required board approval.
Penalties can range from a firm warning or monetary fine to legal recourse depending on the rule.
If a shareholder breaches the house rules in a co-op, the board can seek to commence a lawsuit to terminate the lease for violating the house rule.
House rules are created for the benefit of those living in the building – it is a tool they can use and consult if they are in doubt or have questions before calling management. It’s become more of a manual to the building, so it’s important to keep them updated.
If you do not have a copy of the latest house rules, pick one up in the Management Office