The Red House Road House Constitution

As I mentioned previously, my roommates, neighbor, and I recently got a house out in the country a few miles from campus. Below is the third draft of the constitution I wrote, using notes and ideas from my roommates and neighbor as well as my own. It has not been signed yet and is still up for discussion. Please offer any suggestions or criticism to further ensure the validity of this document.

The Red House Road House Constitution

The sole purpose of this document is NOT to restrict the individual rights of the residents of ________________, but to ensure the safety, well-being, friendships, and relationships within as well as reducing injury to the house and yard. All residents have the right to pursue their own enjoyment and happiness as long as it does not infringe upon the rights, enjoyments, and happiness of other occupants.

Article I

THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

Section 1. All decisions pertaining to the general upkeep and well-being of the house and social matters within will be decided by no other method than the Three-Fourth’s Majority Process. Only residents – those whose names are on the Rental Agreement and who have signed this document – have the right to state their opinions and/or vote on such matters involving the condition or circumstances of the house not addressed herein.

CHANGING OR AMENDING THIS CONSTITUTION

Section 2. This constitution is a working document. It is subject to alteration and amendment only by Residents. In order to create a new or challenge any existing code, law, or reference in this document, no less than all residents may agree upon its ratification.

Article II

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COMMUNITY AREAS WITHIN

Section 1. Community areas within the house are thus defined as the kitchen, dining room, laundry room, and living room. All residents have unlimited permission to enter and utilize the space and items specified for collective use within the community areas.

COMMUNITY RESPONABILITIES AND RESPECT

Section 2. [1] Any and all unnecessary disruption of study time or academic efforts within personal or community areas will not be tolerated.

[2] Excessive noise within will not be tolerated at any time. This includes, but is not limited to music, musical instruments, television, parties, guests, animals, arguments, alarm clocks, firecrackers, gunfire, etc.

[3] All inside pets capable of lateral undulatory, bipedal, quadrupedal, sectapedal, octopedal, or winged escape are prohibited. Any outside pets must remain outside at all times and are subject to the FULL responsibility of the pet owner. This includes, but is not limited to feeding, housing, damaged items, damage to the yard, waste produced by the pet, and overall safety of the pet.

[4] There shall be a fully enforceable NON-SMOKING policy in all areas within.

[5] Candles, incense, etc. are fully acceptable in all community areas, but shall not be left burning unattended at any time.

[6] Alcohol use is fully acceptable in all community areas unless the level of drunkenness leads to loud, unruly, or destructive behavior by which the user(s) will be asked to retire to his or her room.

[7] Decoration or improvement of any and all community areas must be agreed upon and approved by all residents before placement of said decoration or improvement. Any undeviating improvements added to the house are permanent if they will damage the house upon removal.

[8] Items large or small designated for community use must be agreed upon and approved by all residents before their placement. Once an item is considered for community use, it will be subject to the above terms in this constitution. Each community item must be treated with care and respect by all residents and properly used as if it were their own.

[9] Any community item damaged accidentally or otherwise is subject to replacement at the expense of the resident who damaged that item. Any community item damaged due to regular use is to be replaced at the equal expense of all residents unless covered by the Landlord responsibilities in the Rental Agreement.

[10] Guns and ammunition are fully acceptable within, loaded or unloaded. However, all occupants must be fully aware of the placement and/or storage of all guns at all times. No guns or ammunition will be left unattended in a community area at any time.

CLEANLINESS AND MAINTENANCE

Section 3. [1] There will be no accumulation of personal clutter within community areas. This includes, but is not limited to food, dishes, silverware, cups, aluminum cans, bottles, trash, cookware, shoes, clothing, and clean or dirty laundry.

[2] Media shall not be combined or stored in the community areas. This includes, but is not limited to VHS, DVD, CD, books, magazines, etc. Any media left in the community area, including that which is left in the corresponding multimedia player will be returned to the resident(s).

[3] All shoes worn outside must be left by the front or back door. This is limited to one pair of shoes per resident. Shoes worn in the house are worn in the house only. Shoes worn outside, are worn outside only.

[4] The resident(s) who cooks is responsible for cleaning and putting away cookware or dishes within 24 hours of their use. Those residents who participate in cooking and/or eating – such as with community meals – are bound to assist in cleaning and replacement of dishes and cookware immediately after.

[5] The kitchen table will not be a catchall for personal OR community items. It will be clear and ready for use, unless already in use, at all times. This also applies to the countertops, coffee tables, and end tables.

[6] Any damage committed to the house or noticed should be reported to other residents immediately.

[7] Cleaning will be required at least once per week by all residents at a time and date agreed upon. Cleaning agents should be stored appropriately under sinks. All bathrooms are subject to strict, constantly well-maintained conditions.

[8] Each resident will be allotted their own cabinet in the kitchen. The food, beverages, and items within are not to be removed or used without the consent of the cabinet owner. There will be designated community cabinets where all items within are considered fair game.

THE REFRIGERATOR

Section 4. Expired food in the refrigerator should be regularly discarded, however, residents should only discard food or beverages they know to be their own. Also, food or beverages belonging to other residents should not be consumed without that residents approval.

Article III

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PRIVATE AREAS WITHIN

Section 1. Personal bedrooms are the private property of the occupant(s) of said room. Any questionable material or items displayed are left to the responsibility of the room occupant. No other resident may question or enforce any activities that take place behind closed doors UNLESS the activity involves excessively audible behavior or may endanger the life or lives of occupants within the house.

RIGHTS OF PRIVATE ROOM OCCUPANTS

Section 2. [1] No personal property will be removed under any circumstances from private rooms without the consent of the occupant. No personal property belonging to any individual other than the room occupant may be stored in any private room at any time without the consent of the occupant of said room.

[2] If the door to a private room is closed, no resident may enter without knocking and waiting for the resident within to open the door. If the resident is not in said private room and the door is closed, no other resident may enter unless it is an emergency. Emergencies are limited to shutting a window during a storm, shutting off an alarm clock, or putting out a fire.

Article IV

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR OUTDOOR AREAS

Section 1. [1] Responsibilities and expenses for the upkeep and maintenance of the yard shall be divided equally among all residents. This includes mowing, weed eating, gasoline and oil for the mower and weed eater, and tree and shrubbery trimming.

[2] Upkeep of gardens, flowerbeds, potted plants, etc. are the responsibility of the resident who chooses to maintain or plant them.

[3] No vehicles are to be parked or driven in the yard or patio at any time, unless agreed upon by all occupants.

[4] Clutter within the limits of all yards and patio is prohibited. Lawn ornaments including, but not limited to birdbaths, bird feeders, statues, rocks, pink flamingos, garden gnomes, etc. are restricted to one ornament per resident, no matter how ridiculous, tacky, gaudy, ugly, or girly said lawn ornament may be. However, violation of any zoning laws are prohibited.

Article V

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR GUESTS

Section 1. [1] Any guest(s) entering the house are subject to all laws and codes of this constitution applicable to residents. A guest is considered anyone who consumes food, space, water, and electricity, that is invited into the house by any resident, but whose name does not appear on the Rental Agreement.

[2] Guest status does not apply to boyfriends or girlfriends.

[3] Any guest in violation of these codes and laws are subject to removal by a majority decision of all residents.

[4] All residents must be notified at least 24 hours prior to a guest(s) planning to stay longer than 3 consecutive days. This also applies to a party consisting of 2 or more guests planning to stay the night on any given night.

[5] No guest shall be left unattended at any time inside the house without at least one other resident present.

EXTENDED GUESTS

Section 2. [1] No guest may remain longer than 14 consecutive days. Upon exceeding this limit, a guest will be considered an extended guest – but only allowed to remain at the approval of all residents on the Rental Agreement. He or she will then be required to pay 1/5^th the total cost of monthly rent and utilities expenses,

[2] Any guest who exceeds the 14-consecutive-day limit and is paying 1/5^th the total rent and utilities expenses can remain no longer than an additional 7 days.

[3] The vehicle of a guest(s) or extended guest(s) may remain in the driveway no longer than 3 consecutive days.

Article VI

RENT / UTILITIES USAGE AND PAYMENTS

Section 1. [1] Excessive use of water and electricity is prohibited. All residents must turn off lights, appliances, computers, and heating or cooling when not in use. Energy efficient light bulbs and appliances are encouraged but not required.

[2] Individual checks for rent and utilities payments must be ready 5 days before the first day of each month. Total rent and utilities bills must be paid on time. It is encouraged for all residents to have their 1/4^th of next months rent reserved at all times.

[3] Internet and cable bills are considered utilities and will be treated as such.

All residents and their guests do hereby agree to all provisions of this

constitution and by signing it, are bound by ALL its terms and conditions, unconditionally.

The following signatures hereby pass this constitution

into full effect this ___ day of May, 2006