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.
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 when the guests are in the house. Cash and checks accepted. 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.
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 your plans to be at the house during the week. There may be a charge for extended
stays 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
We love dogs. Not sure about cats though. If you want to bring a dog or pack of dogs, let us know and as long
as there are no major objections by share members, Lassie or Benji or Cujo is more than welcome.
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
Keys to the house are kept in a lock-box 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 (downstairs in
living room) 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
fridge on each side, 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, 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...
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
Gets picked up every Monday morning. Please consolidate all small garbage bags into one large bag if possible
(we are charged per bag). Large garbage bags will be supplied. Please deposit all garbage from the weekend into
the wood trash bin by the parking lot when leaving 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
The hot tub is so special it gets its own page of rules and instructions.