House Rules
We have a pretty laid-back environment at the house. These rules are just some
basics to make everything easier for all of us. Remember that this is a share
house and not a hotel. Everyone is responsible for cleaning up after themselves
as well as participating in some basic household tasks each weekend (snow
shoveling, taking out trash and recyclables, tidying up their bedrooms, etc).
Share Weekends
You should do your best to come up on your assigned weekends. If for some reason you would like to come up on a
different weekend, work it out with the other share holders. If for some reason you are up on a weekend that
isn't yours, don't plan on getting a bed unless you've worked it out ahead of time. The shares assigned to the
particular weekend get first dibs on their rooms (of course), you may fill in there after.
Guest Policy
Guests will be allowed up when accompanied by a share holder and space permitting. You must let us know in
advance if you plan to bring a guest. No guests will be allowed in the house if they are not accompanied by a
share holder. Guests will be charged a per night fee of $35 for weekday nights (Mon - Thu) and $45 for weekend
nights (Fri, Sat, & Sun). Guests are also generally limited to 2 weekends in the house. If guests need/want
to be in the house more weekends than that, it's only fair to everyone that they purchase a share. Guest fees
should be paid in cash on the first day that the guest is in the house. Guest fee money received is used to pay
bills (phone, electric, gas, wood, garbage removal, snow plowing, etc). It is factored into the house expenses
and reduces your share cost. Guests cannot take the place of a share holder if they cannot make it.
Late Night Guests
Yes, not the "I want to bring a friend up with me for the weekend" guests, but the "I want to bring a friend home from
the Pickle Barrel with me" guests. Share members are responsible for any guests they bring into the house. You should
make sure not to leave your "guest" or their friends roaming around the house, hot tub, parking lot, dumpster, etc.
While you may think in your drunken stupor that they are the best thing in the world, not all the other house members
may agree with you (especially the ones sharing a room with you). Please be respectful of your fellow house mates and
the house. We'd hate to have your security deposit go towards replacing someone's new skis.
Weekday Use
First-come, first-served. If you want to use the house during the week, it is open and available for you to use.
You must let us know in advance if you plan to be at the house during the week. There is an additional $10/night
charge to cover added utility bills.
Smoking
Is bad for you. But if you choose to do it, don't do it in the house. On the porch is fine, but often cold -
bring a sweater. If you're pregnant, you probably shouldn't be out smoking in the cold though.
Pets Dogs
Our house is dog-friendly, but we do not want to become a kennel. Well-behaved dogs over 2 years old,
will be allowed up on a first-come, first-served basis. We need to limit the number of dogs to two on a weekend
though for everyone's comfort. During Christmas - New Year's week, dogs will not be allowed. We also have a few
people who are allergic, so the third floor will be off-limits to dogs for the season. Please let your dog know.
There is an additional $100 security deposit if you plan to bring your dog.
Cleaning
Please leave all common areas and your rooms cleaner than when you arrived and at least as clean as you'd like to
see them when you arrive the next time. Remember, others are sharing your room, and we're all sharing the house.
The cost of a bi-weekly cleaning service is included in the house costs.
Electricity
Vermont has a crazy utility plan that includes two different rates for electricity during the day. We need to
try and avoid the peak times because they are charged at 3 times the regular rate. The peak hours to avoid are:
Mon-Sat 7:45am-11:45am and 5pm-9pm. All other times are off-peak. Sunday is also off-peak all day. Please do
what you can to limit your electricity use to off-peak times.
Phone
There is a phone in the house that can be used for local calls. If you wish to make long distance calls, you can
use your calling card. (Does anyone do this anymore? Doesn't everyone have a cell phone?) Cell phone service
is pretty good at the house as well.
Washer/Dryer
These should mostly be used during the off peak times (see ELECTRICITY). Supplies not provided. While we know
it costs you $1.50/load in the city and quarters are hard to find, please don't bring loads of your dirty
laundry up to the house to do.
Keys
There is no need for keys as the house has a combination lock on the front door. Everyone in the house will be
given the combination. Please do not give the combination to anyone outside of the house. If you forget the
combination, you will probably die out in the cold. Removing your frozen body will come out of the security
deposit.
Locking the House
Everyone must make sure that all doors and windows are locked when leaving the house for the week. Many people
will have lots of $$$$ worth of ski equipment and clothing in the house.
Heating
The house's primary heating source is a gas furnace. Please remember to turn the thermostat (one on each floor)
up when you arrive and down to 50 when you leave for the week.
Food, Drink, Supplies
We will supply basic paper products, cleaning products, coffee and basic condiments. We have one
full fridge and a smaller beer fridge, so EXPECT to share milk, juice, beer, etc. All food left in the fridge is
communal unless you label it otherwise! Make sure that nothing is left open during the week. We don't want any
rodents sharing the house with us this winter.
Bathrooms
Keep very clean, including removing your hair from the drains. Always clean when leaving for the week. We have
four full bathrooms and the cleaning service will clean them bi-weekly.
Bedrooms
Remember that you are sharing a bedroom with several other people. Please pick up after yourself and clean the
room upon leaving for the week. You are required to bring your own sheets, blankets, towels, and pillows. There
are some pillows and blankets in the house, but you'll probably want your own.
Kitchen
All right, we just copied these rules from another site, and have no idea why they included a section on the kitchen.
Everyone knows what a kitchen is and what it's for, what more rules could we need? Don't run with knives? Don't
stick a fork in the toaster? No metal in the microwave? Don't open the microwave popcorn bag near your eyes? Whew...
Oh yeah, and clean up after yourself! Throw your dishes in the dishwasher, not the sink. Clean up spills. Scrub
down your pots. This is a share house, not a hotel. You can be a slob at home, but not here.
Living Areas
As above, keep clean. We are all using these areas. Keep neat and clean when possible, but mainly when you leave.
The TV, PlayStation, stereo system, and DVD player are in the main living area of the house.
Storage
Closets and cabinets are located throughout the house. They are available for shares to store clothes, bedding
stuff, and equipment.
Garbage/Recyclables
Garbage is picked up every Monday morning. Please consolidate all small garbage bags into one large bag, as we are charged per bag. Large garbage bags will be supplied. Please deposit all garbage from the weekend into
the trash bin on the far side of the house. All recyclables MUST be put in a clear garbage bag.
Snow Plow
We have a year long contract for snow removal. They should keep the driveway clear and sanded at all times.
We may need to move cars once in a while to get the whole driveway clear. Please be accommodating. We recommend
4-wheel drive vehicles for Vermont in the winter.
Hot Tub
One simple rule: don't do anything in the hot tub that you wouldn't want someone else doing in the hot tub! The hot tub is cleaned and maintained on a weekly basis throughout the season. When you leave the hot tub, you should throw in a capful of chlorine, and run the jets. That's all...
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