House Rules & Regulations

Jefferson Center
 
Abandonment:  Management will consider a unit abandoned if Management has not received notification of any extended absence and Management believes the unit has been unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days and the household's rent is past due and the household has failed to respond to any demands for payment.  At this time Management will take appropriate action to recover possession of the abandoned unit, in accordance with state and local laws. 
 
Absences from the Apartment:  Tenants may be absent from their apartment (other than for medical reasons) 90 cumulative days in any 12-month period. In cases of illness or confinement in a hospital or nursing care facility, a tenant may be absent from her/his apartment for up to 120 days as long as her/his physician will document that your return to the apartment is still a realistic possibility within the 120 days.  After these periods, the resident may continue as a resident, but the federally assisted resident will pay the unassisted or market rent for the unit.
 
Alcohol:  Use of alcohol is not allowed in any common areas, with the exception of planned parties approved by Management.  Public drunkenness is prohibited.  Failure to comply can result in lease termination.
 
Alterations:  Residents may not alter their apartment from its original condition.  This includes additional tile, installation of satellite dishes, painting, etc.  Residents may not put excessive holes in the ceiling, scorch or cut countertop, burn the flooring or allow water to overflow basins.  Use of stick-on picture hangers and stick on bathtub decals are prohibited. Installation of exterior antennas, satellite dishes or additional locks is not allowed.
 
Antennas/Satellite Dishes:  Exterior antennas, satellite dishes, and antenna splitters are strictly prohibited. 
 
Appliances:  Additional appliances such as window air conditioners, washers or dryers, freezers cannot be installed or stored in a resident's apartment without written permission from Management. 
 
Community Rooms:  Community rooms include the library, recreation room, and community kitchen.  Community rooms are available for daily resident use with permission from Management.  Misuse and vandalism are not allowed. The room must be clean upon vacating.
 
Considerate Behavior:  In consideration of others, residents should refrain from allowing or producing excessive noise so as not to disturb their neighbors.  Quiet hours are observed from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am.  Continued complaints about excessive noise are grounds for eviction. 
 
Criminal Activity:  In accordance with regulation 24 CFR 5.861, Jefferson Center may terminate tenancy and evict the resident for criminal activity by the resident if it is determined that the resident or household member has engaged in criminal activity.  Please refer to Illegal Drugs for more information. 
 
Damage Charges:  Whenever damage is caused by carelessness, misuse or neglect by a resident, his/her family member, visitor, or pet, the resident is responsible for paying all repair costs within 30 days or to make arrangements for payment. 
 
Discrimination:  Jefferson Center does not discriminate based upon age for any reason, excluding HUD program/project requirements.  Tenancy is open to all qualified eligible persons as Jefferson Center does not discriminate in any fashion based upon a person's race, color, sex, creed, national origin, handicap stats, religion, familial status, source of income, sexual preference, or disability.  Residency is open to all qualified eligible persons in accordance with any State or City recognized protected classes. 
 
Dress:  Appropriate clothing must be worn at all times in public areas.  Nightclothes, bare feet and forms of nudity are unacceptable.
 
Emergencies:  In the event of an emergency, residents should call 911 and then call the Resident Monitor to report the emergency.  Please follow the suggested emergency procedures in the Resident Handbook.  Do not use the elevator in the event of a fire emergency. 
 
Emergency Maintenance:  All "emergency" maintenance problems should be reported to staff.  If staff is not available, and it is after hours, call the Jefferson Center Resident Monitor, who will call the maintenance staff person on call.  An "emergency" constitutes any occurrence that is a threat to health, life or safety or is causing or may cause physical damage to the property. 

 
The following items may be considered emergency maintenance situations: 
·       No heat
·       No air conditioning
·       Plumbing problems such as a back-up or serious leak
·       A fire
·       No electricity
 
Energy Conservation:  When a resident leaves his/her apartment, he/she should make certain that all lights, radios and televisions are turned off, and ensure that faucets are not dripping.  Never use the stove to heat the apartment or leave a space heater unattended.
 
Exit/Emergency Exits:  Each floor has clearly marked exits. Please use the closest exit during an emergency.  Residents are required to participate in regular safety drills for building safety.  Blocking of any exit, within an apartment or public area, is a violation of local Fire Code and of the Lease Agreement. 
 
Fair Housing:  It is illegal and in violation of the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 and the l973 Rehabilitation Act, The Americans with Disabilities Act of l990 and your lease, to harass or discriminate against a resident because of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, disability, or familial status.  It is illegal to engage in discriminatory behaviors which include, but are not limited to:
·       Making racial or ethnic slurs
·       Making threats of violence or committing acts of violence
·       Use of intimidating or menacing behaviors.
 
A resident who becomes the victim of discriminatory behaviors should report it to the office in writing by completing a concern report.
 
Vice President of the Board of Trustees is Jefferson Center's Fair Housing Coordinator. 
 
Firearms/Firecrackers:  Firearms and other forms of weapons are prohibited on the premises and will be considered as material noncompliance of the Lease Agreement.  This includes, but is not limited to antique, collectible, or heirloom type weapons, firecrackers of all types, BB guns or pellet guns. 
 
Harassment:  Jefferson Center strongly disapproves of and will not tolerate harassment of residents, staff or visitors.  Harassment includes verbal, physical or other conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile living environment, or that interferes with the work of staff.  Any incident of harassment should be reported promptly to Management. This is a direct violation of the Lease Agreement and could result in eviction. 
 
Hazardous Materials:  Storage or use of any form of hazardous material on property is not allowed. 
 
Illegal Drugs:  The tenant agrees upon threat of eviction not to:
 
(1) permit guests or other household members to engage in unlawful activities in the unit, in the common areas or on the grounds of Jefferson Center. These unlawful activities include but are not limited to the possession, use and/or sale of illegal drugs and disturbances or acts of violence that damage or destroy the dwelling unit or disturb or injure other residents.

(2) the resident further agrees not to engage personally in unlawful activities in the unit, in the common areas or on or off the grounds of Jefferson Center. Such activities include but are not limited to those listed in (1) above.

A single violation of this policy will constitute a material violation of the Lease Agreement and will be grounds for termination of tenancy. 

Inspections:  Apartments will be inspected annually. Management shall designate a day or days when the inspection will occur, and shall notify residents in writing 24 hours prior to the inspection.  Residents will be charged for damage to apartment and common areas beyond normal wear and tear.  Damage, reoccurring poor housekeeping and unsanitary practices are violations of the Lease Agreement. 
 
Keys/Lockouts:  If duplicate keys are needed, please contact the Administrative Office for permission.  A small fee will be charged for lost keys. 
 
Laundry:  A coin operated laundry facility is provided for resident use only.  Management is not responsible for lost or stolen laundry items. Report repair issues to the office. 
 
Maintenance Service Requests:  Repair slips are available in the lobby area.  The resident must provide Management with permission to enter the apartment in his/her absence or schedule a time to conduct the maintenance request when the resident is home.  All repairs are made daily Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4:30 PM. 

 
Move-out Procedures:  Residents are required to give a full 30-day written notice in advance, and leave the apartment in a cleanly manner upon vacating it.  Residents must pay the final month's rent in full. Before permanently leaving his/her apartment, residents should notify the Management who will make the attempt to conduct the final apartment inspection in his/her presence. Upon move-out, residents must relinquish unit keys.
 
Oxygen Use:  For safety reasons, residents are required to provide Management with notice of any liquid oxygen use.
 
Parking:  Parking is assigned one per unit at a cost to be determined by Management. The parking space is to be used for the resident's personal vehicle only, and the auto must be registered, insured, and in operable condition.  All resident vehicles must be registered with Management.  Residents are responsible for keeping Management informed of any changes in the vehicle. Trailers, RVs, Motor homes, and any other over-sized recreational vehicle are not allowed on this property.  Driving through the parking lot is restricted to 15 miles per hour.  Riding scooters, skateboards, and roller blades in the parking lot is prohibited. Repairs, oil changes, engine work, or other automotive work is not allowed on property. 

A notice will be posted on a vehicle's windshield for 48 hours prior to removal or towing from the property.  Visitors should park in designated visitor spaces.  Management reserves the right to tow any vehicle in violation with any parking regulation at the expense of the resident. 
 
Patios:  Residents may not use patios for storage purposes or hanging laundry.  BBQ grills are not allowed on any patio. 
 
Paying Rent:  Rent is due on the first of each month. There is a "grace period" of five days after which a late fee of $1 per day applies.  Jefferson Center does not accept cash.  Residents will be charged whatever Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) fees the bank charges in such instances.  If a NSF check is received, Management may require future rental payments to be made by money order or cashier's check.  All payments must include the resident's name, apartment number, and made payable to Jefferson Center.  Rent must be paid only by check or money order and either mailed to the office or placed in an after-hours depository located on the office door. Delinquent accounts may be turned over to an attorney for legal action. 
 
Pest Control:  Pest control is required in all apartments.  Residents should notify Management if they have an allergy that may be irritated by pest control. 
 
Pets:  Jefferson Center is a pet friendly environment.  Pets are not allowed on property or in an apartment without the written permission of Management. Only certain pets are acceptable in accordance with the HUD approved Pet Rules, such as four legged fur bearing animals weighing less than 25 pounds or 18 inches in shoulder height and service animals.  Service animals to assist residents and visitors are allowed on property.  Prior to allowing a pet on property, the resident must submit a Pet Application and a Pet Interview must be scheduled.  A pet deposit of $300 (payable in an initial payment of $50.00 and then $10.00 per month until paid in full) is due after receiving approval from Management for a pet.  Visiting pets are not allowed on property, with the exception of service/aide animals.  (Please refer to the Rules for Pet Ownership for further information.)
 
Posting Materials:  Special bulletin boards have been designated on-site for resident posting of materials.  Residents are not allowed to remove any materials except his/her own, and are asked not to deface any posted materials. 
 
Renter's Insurance:  While Jefferson Center does not provide any insurance directly to or for the residents, we strongly encourage all residents to purchase their own personal property insurance or renter's insurance package. 
 
Security Deposit:  All residents are required to pay a security deposit equal to one month's rent.  The deposit will be refunded upon move out if no rent is owed, the apartment is left in a safe and clean condition, and proper notice was provided.
 
Security Procedures:  For safety reasons, Management strongly suggests that apartment doors remain locked at all times, and each visitor's identity should be checked prior to opening the door.  Residents are prohibited from installing a different lock on apartment doors.  Residents should not allow any other persons access to the building except their own guests/visitors. All exterior doors must be closed and locked upon entering or exiting the building. 
 
Shopping Carts:  Abandonment of shopping carts in areas that block emergency exits is a health and fire hazard.
 
Smoking:  Smoking is prohibited inside Jefferson Center and within 50 feet of the building entrances.  Those residents who smoke as of January l, 2008, may continue to smoke in their apartments or designated areas only.  Applicants on the waiting list will be notified of the Smoke Free Policy.  Failure to comply with this rule is a lease violation and may result in the termination of the lease.
 
Smoke Detectors:  Each apartment is equipped with smoke detectors.  Maintenance will conduct performance checks of the smoke detectors.  A damaged or disabled detector is a violation of the Lease Agreement, local Property Code, and is subject to a fine and/or lease termination.  A charge may be assessed for a damaged or disconnected smoke detector. A second disconnection may result in eviction. 
 
Soliciting:  Soliciting is not allowed on the premises.  This includes posting signs from balconies. 
 
Storage:  No objectionable household material may be stored outside the unit.  Hazardous materials, gasoline, solvents, etc., may not be kept on property by the resident.  Engine vehicles or motorcycles also may not be kept on property.  Any personal belongings of the resident may not be stored in a hallway. 
 
Sub-Leasing:  Residents may use the premises as a private dwelling only.  Subleasing of any apartment/room is not allowed. Violators will face lease termination. 
 
Transfers:  Request for transfers must be made in writing.  Apartment transfers can be denied if management closes the waiting list due to insufficient applicants on the list. 
 
Trash:  Residents must dispose of trash in a clean and safe manner in the designated trash facilities.  Hypodermic needles must be disposed of in a closed or sharps container.  Daily trash must be secured in a tightly closed garbage bag before disposal. Large trash items are to be brought down to the brown compactor in the parking lot.  No glass is to be thrown down the trash chute.  Please place glass in the recycle containers. Do not leave trash or glass items in front of the trash room doors.  
 
Visitors/Guests:  Visitors are welcome as long as they do not disturb health and well-being of other residents.  Visitors/guests are defined as any person not on the lease.  It is the resident's responsibility to inform Management of any prospective overnight guests and the length of time they will be visiting. Residents are responsible for all actions of their guests or visitors while on the property and must accompany any guest at all times when outside of the apartment unit. Overnight guests may stay on an occasional basis not to exceed 14 cumulative days in any 12-month period.  Residents must limit their guests to no more than two (2) persons at a time, unless prior approval has been given by Management. All non-residents are asked to sign in and out at the Hospitality Desk with each visit to the property.  Unescorted persons are subject to arrest for trespassing and/or loitering pursuant to state law.

By signing this form, I/We hereby agree that we have read and understand all information covered in the House Rules, which are an attachment to the lease.  I/We agree to abide by all rules stated in this agreement:


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Resident                                           Unit #                             Date
 
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Resident                                           Unit #                             Date
 
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Dawn S. Lucido - Jefferson Center, Inc.                              Date