1.

Dori (the home owner) is a throat cancer survivor with a severe allergic reaction to cigarette smoke and other chemicals (including many perfumes). Her nose and throat can bleed for several days just from brief exposure to the residue on a smoker's clothing. Also, the community farm she manages grows many vegetables and herbs which are susceptible to tobacco mosaic virus, a disease which can be carried by the residue on a smoker's hands and clothes. Dori is sympathetic to anybody in the grips of a nicotine addiction, but protection of her health and livelihood have to take precedence over her sympathy.

2.

Rent

A.

The base monthly rent is $300 per person with 4 hours per week of light house- and yard-work help per person, $200 with 8 hours per week of help per person.

B.

Payment of the monthly rent is due on the 1st day of each month.

C.

Payment of the first month’s rent at the full non-working rate ($400) plus payment of the last month’s rent at the chosen working rate is due before a housemate moves in. No whining; you'd pay full rent and deposits to rent an apartment.

D.

Work performed during the first month is applied toward the second month.

E.

Work performed during the last month is refunded as a deposit. For instance, if you work four hours a week during your last month, you will receive a $100 refund of the money you paid for the first month.

F.

If a housemate absolutely cannot come up with the full rate for the first month, they may visit and perform their work while still living at their previous residence.

G.

I’m sorry if this system is confusing. You can thank the several people who thought they’d agree to work for part of their rent and then do nothing.

3.

Deposits

A.

A $100 security/cleaning deposit is required from each housemate.

B.

A $100 telephone deposit is required from each housemate unless they install their own telephone. You can thank the young lady who moved in and ran up a $600 phone bill in her one month here.

C.

Payment of the deposits are due before a housemate moves in.

D.

When a housemate leaves, deposits are returned within 30 days if the premises have been left clean and in good repair and there are no outstanding telephone bills.

4.

Cleaning and Maintenance

A.

In addition to keeping their own room clean and picking up after themselves (and guests) in shared areas, each household member agrees to spend 5 hours each week on general cleaning and maintenance of shared areas. Note: most of these chores can be done in 15 minutes or less, or as enjoyable group activities. It is our shared goal that nobody feels overburdened by household upkeep.

B.

Chores will be identified and tracked by means of the "To Do List" designed and maintained by all housemates.

C.

The chore-sharing system will be formally reviewed for effectiveness (and satisfaction) by all members of the household at a household meeting at least once a month.

D.

"General cleaning" is defined as: washing/disinfecting kitchen counters and appliances, sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning ashes from woodstove, weekly disinfection/supercleaning of bathroom.

E.

"Maintenance" is defined as: carrying wood inside, feeding woodstove, buying kerosene, getting water from spring, filling kerosene heater, stacking new wood deliveries, shoveling snow, washing windows, planting and caring for front flower beds, loading and cleaning front bird feeders and birdbath, occasional painting/papering to make our shared quarters more pleasant and attractive.

5.

Utilities

A.

Utilities (heat and electric) and one connection to the satellite dish are included in the rent.

B.

Housemates are expected to be alert to ways to avoid wasting energy -- to put on another layer of clothing or exercise or wrap up in an electric blanket before complaining about the cold, to close doors promptly, TO TURN OFF LIGHTS AND APPLIANCES WHEN NOT IN USE, etc.

C.

Use of electric space heaters is discouraged because they are energy hogs and fire hazards. Electric blankets and/or mattress pads are allowed. Housemates are reminded to unplug all heating appliances whenever they are not being used.

D.

Housemates are advised that we heat with wood for political as well as environmental reasons, and that everybody (guests included) is expected to stack and tote wood and learn how to operate the woodstove without complaining about the inconvenience. Yes, it's dirty. Yes, it's a lot of work. And yes, our wood purchases support families right here in our neighborhood until our own firewood stand is ready for harvest. And yes, we aren't likely to go to war over wood.

6.

Laundry

A.

We have a washing machine and an electric dryer. They are for occasional use only -- we have only one aging septic system. If you need to run more than two loads a week, please use the laundromat in town.

B.

Household members are asked to use outside clotheslines or hang clothes to dry in their rooms rather than using the electric dryer. Wooden racks are available.

C.

If the electric dryer must be used (it happens to the best of us), please run it only between the hours of midnight and 7 AM in order to take advantage of the off-peak rate ($0.04/kw-hr rather than $0.12/kw-hr).

D.

ONLY 100% biodegradable liquid detergents may be used in the washer, and only non-perfumed dryer sheets may be used in the dryer.

E.

Maintenance of their own laundry supplies is the responsibility of each housemate.

F.

Household members agree in advance to resolve any laundry conflicts at the next household meeting.

G.

If the laundry facilities are abused, they will be removed from shared use.

7.

Telephone

A.

Dori Green has a telephone line that she uses for herself and the farm operations. It can be used occasionally for brief local calls.

B.

· Get your own phone as soon as you can if you receive a lot of calls.

· Let your friends and family know the best times to find you in, and do not hog the phone.

· Let your friends and family know not to call after 10 PM.

· Hey, if you’re running a newspaper ad LET YOUR HOUSEMATES KNOW.

C.

· Dori's phone line may not be used for long distance calls. Pre-paid long distance cards may be used.

· If telephone use is abused, it will be removed.

D.

· DO Train your family and friends to leave BRIEF messages. Secretarial service is NOT included in the rent.

· DO Record any incoming messages CLEARLY and COMPLETELY, and follow up verbally to make sure that the message was received.

.

8.

Food

A.

In order for all of us to save money and energy, the household operates on a "shared larder" system into which each housemate pays $50 per week for three meals per day plus snacks and beverages as itemized below:

Breakfast:

$1.00

Lunch:

$2.00

Supper:

$3.00

Snacks/beverages:

$1.00

Total:

$49.00/week + $1.00 toward TP,
dish soap, etc.

If a housemate eats lunch out Monday through Friday and lets us know beforehand, they may subtract $10; if they go away for the weekend and let us know beforehand they may subtract $15. Thanks to abuse by previous housemates, keeping a completely separate larder is no longer an option.

B.

Purchase of toilet paper, hand soap, basic cleaning supplies, kleenex, and other "stock" items are included in the food budget.

C.

Pre-processed and "junk" foods are generally NOT included in the household grocery budget. Household snacks include homemade baked goods and fresh fruits. The general menu is set at the regular household meeting and housemates may request favorite foods -- including snacks -- at that time.

D.

Laundry supplies are NOT included in the household grocery budget.

E.

Pet food is the responsibility of the pet owner.

F.

Each housemate is expected to take their fair turns at shopping, cooking, planning, and cleaning up. These are skills essential to a complete and comprehensive and creative life, and anybody who does not know how to perform them when they arrive will be gently and kindly taught by those who already know how. Everybody is encouraged to share their own areas of expertise -- at lunch we are students and at supper we are teachers. We each discover our own magic quickly. The kitchen motto is "Expect To Make Mistakes," so we all can relax and have fun!

G.

Disposition of leftover grocery money (if any) is decided by group consensus at the end of the month.

H.

The food system is reviewed at a household meeting at least once a month for effectiveness (and satisfaction) by all members of the household.

I.

Each housemate agrees in advance to bring up any food conflicts promptly at the next houshold meeting.

J.

Medicines and first aid and personal-care items are NOT included in the grocery budget.

K.

Each housemate agrees in advance to resolve any food conflicts which cannot be settled at the household meeting with the assistance of a mediator from the Neighborhood Justice Project, and to abide by the resolutions resulting from that mediation.

L.

People may eat and drink in the living room with the understanding that they are responsible for cleaning up after themselves and for any damage caused by spills.

M.

Food is not permitted in the bedrooms.

9.

Private Spaces

A.

· Their own room. If desired, new pre-hung doors will be installed ($120) as soon as their deposits have been received.

· One shelf in the bathroom medicine chest above the sink.

· One shelf in the bathroom built-in shelf closet (for towels, shampoo, etc.)

· Space in the kitchen cupboard for private-stock food (put your name on it).

· Space in the kitchen refrigerator for private-stock food (put your name on it).

· Space in the kitchen freezer for private-stock food (put your name on it).

B.

THINGS MAY NOT BE BORROWED FROM PRIVATE SPACES WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE OWNER.

10.

Guests

A.

Housemates are encouraged to have guests, with the understanding that housemates accept responsibility for the behavior of their guests.

B.

Guests may not smoke anywhere on the property except in their car and must be very careful to take their butts home with them (they're poisonous to our free-ranging ducks and chickens). Guests who smoke may not enter any of the garden or greenhouse or nursery areas. Any guest with a heavy detectable cigarette odor will be asked to leave.

C.

This is a place of healing, affirmation, and non-violence. Any guest engaging in violent behavior toward themselves or others, including drinking to excess, swearing at people, or other discourteous language (such as demanding rather than asking or negotiating) will be asked to leave immediately and will not be invited to return. If they do not leave immediately or if they return, the police will be called to evict them.

D.

Guests may eat freely from the shared larder when they or their host/hostess pay into the food account as follows:

Breakfast:

$3

Lunch:

$4

Supper:

$5

Beverages/snacks:

$3 per day

E.

Guests may stay overnight in shared areas ONLY with the permission of all household members.

F.

Guests may stay overnight for one night in a household member's room without any special permission. If a housemate wishes to have a guest stay more than one night, permission must be obtained in advance from all household members and an additional rent payment of $10/night must be paid in advance for each night of their stay.

11.

Household Meetings

A.

Open and clear communication -- and prompt resolution of conflicts -- are at the heart of any successful household. The members of this household therefore gather together to exchange information and news, and to resolve any conflicts before they grow out of proportion, every odd Thursday evening from 8:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

B.

A household member may miss one meeting without penalty IF they give advance notice that they won't be able to attend and leave their written proxy for any votes on the agenda (along with any conflicts they'd like to have addressed). If they miss the meeting without doing these things, they may be asked to leave the household.

C.

Any household member who misses two meetings in a row (with or without proxy and written communication) will automatically receive a 30-day eviction notice unless extreme mitigating circumstances are accepted by all of the other household members.

D.

Household meetings may be moved to adjust to schedule conflicts with the agreement of all household members, but there must be at least one household meeting at least once each month.

12.

Noise

A.

"Quiet Time" commences at 10:00 p.m. or at the request of any household member (no justification required). Use of earphones is encouraged.

B.

Power tools (including kitchen appliances) may not be used in or near the house before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. unless all housemates approve such use in advance.

C.

No incoming telephone calls or unnecessary commotion after 10 PM.

13.

Members of the Household

A.

Any proposed new members of the household must be approved by all of the existing members, approval indicated by signature on the last page of the new housemate’s agreement. NOTE: Each housemate’s agreement is CONFIDENTIAL between them, the home owner, and the NJP mediator. The other household members see only the signature page unless the housemate chooses to share the details of their agreement with them.

B.

Children above the age of 6 are household members with full voting privileges and their own maintenance responsibilities.

C.

Housemates are NOT automatically-available babysitters, housekeepers, fido-feeders, chauffeurs, etc. but swaps between housemates of favors and/or services are gleefully encouraged. Note: The homeowner does not transport other people’s children in her car (except of course to the ER in town in an extreme emergency).

D.

All household members agree in advance to resolve conflicts at the biweekly household meeting or with the assistance of a mediator from the Neighborhood Justice Project, and to abide by any and all agreements resulting from such mediation.

E.

X Participation in livestock care has been arranged. See Attachment.

14.

Pets

A.

One neutered pet which is confined to a leash when outside is welcome as long as their presence has been approved by all other members of the household and they can get along with the other members of the household (including already-resident pets and livestock).

B.

New pets must be approved by all existing members of the household by signing an addendum to the owner’s housemate agreement.

C.

· Behavior -- owners agree to pay for any damage or injury caused by their pet, and understand that chronically destructive pets cannot be allowed to live here.

· Care -- food, water, shots, prompt treatment of illness/injury, licenses (no illegals).

· Liability insurance -- very inexpensive through a Renter's policy.

15.

Leaving the Household

A.

Each household member agrees to give at least 30 days notice when leaving the household or forfeit their last month's rent deposit.

B.

Each household member agrees to leave a forwarding address with the homeowner or a Neighborhood Justice mediator when they move on or forfeit their security deposit.

C.

Each household member agrees to leave their room clean and in good repair or forfeit their security deposit.

D.

If a household member's room is left clean and in good repair, and they have no outstanding telephone or other household bills, their security/cleaning and telephone deposits will be returned to them within thirty (30) days of leaving.

E.

Each household member agrees in advance to resolve any leavetaking conflicts with the assistance of a mediator from the Neighborhood Justice Project, and to abide by any and all agreements made through such mediation.

16.

SPECIAL NOTES/ADDENDA: