House Rules – Allen Metropolitan Housing Authority

UNDERSTANDING THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM: ALLEN METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY HOUSE RULES

I. RESPONSIBILITIES:

a) AUTHORITY RESPONSIBILITY:
The following standards will be applied fairly and uniformly to all residents. The Authority will inspect each unit annually to determine compliance with the standards. Upon completion of an inspection, the Authority will advise the specific correction(s) required to establish compliance and indicate if training is available if needed for compliance if the first inspection finds areas of non-compliance. Within a reasonable period of time, the Authority will schedule a second inspection. Failure of a second inspection will constitute a serious violation of the Lease terms.

b) RESIDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Tenant is required to abide by the standards set forth below. Failure to abide by the House Rules that result in the creation or maintenance of a treat to health or safety is a Violation of the Lease terms and can result in eviction.

II. OCCUPANTS:

Only those persons listed on your Lease, and no one else, will be allowed to permanently occupy your unit. Any additions, including live-in aides and foster children, but excluding natural births and adoptions, require the advance written approval of the Authority.

III. RENTAL PAYMENTS:

All rents must be paid on or before the first of the month. Any rent paid after the fifth of the month will be assessed a late charge of $15.00. Partial payments will not be accepted. Late paying habits will be basis for termination of tenancy.

Rents will be paid at the Rental Office or any other place as directed by A.M.H.A Checks and Money Orders are preferred. Any checks returned for any reason will be treated as late rent and a $10.00 service charge will be charged regardless of date of payment.

Security Deposits are a sum of one month’s rent or two-hundred dollars, whichever is greater, as established by the A.M.H.A. Security Deposits are posted as consideration for the specific performance of the Rental Agreement, (Lease), and the safekeeping of the living unit against damage, which is not considered normal wear and tear.

Refunds of Security Deposits will be made within thirty days after termination of tenancy. Once the living unit has been vacated, and the keys returned to A.M.H.A., A.M.H.A. will make a physical inspection of the living unit and make a determination of the charges for all damages which are not considered normal wear and tear. A final billing will be prepared by A.M.H.A. setting forth all charges levied against the Security Deposit. The balance of the Security Deposit, if any, will be mailed to the resident at the last known address. If no charges are levied against the Security Deposit, the full security deposit will be refunded.

IV. CLEANING STANDARDS:

In an effort to improve the livability and conditions of the units owned and managed by A.M.H.A., uniform standards for resident housekeeping have been developed for all resident families. Training may be available to any resident requesting or needing assistance in complying with the following standards:

a) INSIDE THE UNIT
The Tenant Shall…

Clean walls and keep them free of dirt, grease, cobwebs, fingerprints and holes.
Keep all floors clear, dry and free of hazards. The resident shall clean all woodwork and keep it free of dust, gouges and scratches.
Keep ceilings clean and free of cobwebs.
Clean all windows, shades or blinds and not nail windows shut.
Keep all doors clean, free of grease and fingerprints. Doorstops should be in place, and locks should work.
Keep heating units dusted and access uncluttered.
Dispose of trash and not leave any in the unit.
Keep his/her unit free of rodent and insect infestation.
Maintain the apartment free of damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Tenant shall not use sheets, newspapers, aluminum foil, paper bags or other non-traditional coverings for the windows.

b) KITCHEN
The Tenant Shall…

Keep the stove clean and free of food and grease.
Keep the refrigerator clean. The freezer door should close properly and the freezer should have no more than one inch of ice.
Keep all cabinets clean and neat. Cabinet surfaces and countertops should be free of grease and spilled food. Cabinets should not be overloaded. Storage under the sink should be limited to small or lightweight items to permit access for repairs. Do not store heavy pots and pans under the sink.
Keep the exhaust fan free of grease and dust.
Keep the sink clean, free of grease and garbage. Dirty dishes should be washed and put away in a timely manner.
Keep the food storage areas clean and without spilled food.
Store all trash/garbage in a covered container until removed to the disposal area.

c) BATHROOM
The Tenant Shall…

Keep the lavatory clean. This includes the toilet tank, which will be clean, and odor free.
Keep the tub and shower clean and free of excessive mildew and mold. Where applicable, shower curtains should be in place, and of adequate length.
Dust the exhaust fans and clean all floors.

d) STORAGE AREAS
The Tenant Shall…

Keep the linen closet and all other closets neat and clean. No highly flammable materials should be stored in the unit.
Keep all storage areas neat, clean and free of any and all hazards.

e) OUTSIDE THE APARTMENT
The following standards apply only to family and scattered site developments.

Keep the yards free of debris, trash and abandoned cars. Exterior walls should be free of graffiti. Grease shall not be dumped on the exterior walls or ground.
Do not damage the lawns or landscaping. At units where the Tenant is responsible for cutting/trimming the grass or shrubbery, this shall be done in a timely manner, with the grass being no shorter than 3” tall and no higher than 5” tall.
Keep the front and rear porches and steps clean and free of hazards. Any items stored on the porch shall not impede access to the unit.
Keep the sidewalks clean and free of hazards.
Ensure the storm doors are clean and the glass or screens for the doors remain intact with the door.
Do not keep abandoned cars within the parking area and shall not repair within the parking area.
Keep the stairwells clean and uncluttered.
Keep the laundry area clean and neat. This includes removing lint from the dryers and washers after their use.
9. Keep the utility room free of debris, motor vehicle parts and flammable materials.
Register his/her car(s).
No swimming pools or ponds will be allowed on A.M.H.A. property.
No trampolines are allowed on A.M.H.A. property.

V. REDECORATION:

No unit may be redecorated without the written consent of A.M.H.A. This includes painting, wallpapering and carpeting.

VI. NOISE, ETC.:

Good judgment and thoughtfulness for others must be used in playing musical instruments, stereos, radios, TV sets, and in all other activities. Residents and guests must be considerate of neighbors while entering or leaving the rental units especially during the late and early morning hours.

VII. PEST CONTROL:

A.M.H.A. provides regularly scheduled control for common pests in multi-family buildings. You are requested to notify the maintenance department if such service is needed. When treatment is scheduled, resident shall remove items from cabinets, etc. as notified.

Residents in single family units will be billed for this service should the need arise.

VIII. CRIMINAL ACTIVITY:

The Tenant is responsible for illegal drug or other criminal activity by household members or guests on or off A.M.H.A. properties.

IX. REFUSE AND TRASH:

All garbage, trash and food waste must be placed in containers or dumpsters provided by A.M.H.A. and maintained in a sanitary and safe manner. No garbage shall be set outside in non-garbage areas or containers at any time.

X. MISCELLANEOUS

The Tenant Shall: “(1) to (5)”

Not waste or unreasonably use water, electricity or heat in units which such utilities are paid by A.M.H.A.
Not make any alterations or repairs to the premises or to the equipment therein and shall not install any additional fixtures or major appliances without the prior written approval of A.M.H.A.
Be held strictly responsible for any loss or damage to this and other units resulting from overflow of sinks, bathtubs and basins in his/her unit. Residents are responsible for the condition of their units.
Immediately report to the management office any accident or injury to water pipes, toilets, drains, fixtures or other A.M.H.A. property, as well as all breakage, damage or loss of any kind.
Not use or keep flammable materials on the premises or in storage rooms and shall not use any method of heating or air conditioning other than those supplied by A.M.H.A.
No aerial wires of any description shall be hung from the windows or installed in the building.
The Authority or its representative(s) have the right to enter the Tenants’ apartment during all reasonable hours to inspect it or make repairs, additions or alterations as may be deemed necessary for the apartment or the buildings maintenance and preservation.
A.M.H.A. in all cases shall retain the right to control and prevent access into the building and grounds of all persons it considers undesirable with sufficient cause.
All personal property placed in the premises shall be at risk of the Tenant or owner of such property. A.M.H.A. will not be responsible for any damage to such personal property. It is recommended that each resident purchase Renters’ Insurance for this purpose.
Any notice required by law or otherwise will be sufficient if delivered to the Tenant personally or to an adult member of the Tenant’s household residing in the dwelling or sent by prepaid first-class mail properly addressed to the tenant. If the tenant is visually impaired, all notices must be in an accessible format. Notices to the A.M.H.A. by the Tenant shall be in writing, and personally presented to the management office or sent by prepaid first-class U.S. mail to Allen Metropolitan Housing Authority, 600 South Main Street, Lima, OH 45804.
The parking of inoperable or unregistered cars will not be allowed. Inoperable cars remaining on the premises more than 24 hours will be towed away at the owner’s expense. All registered vehicles shall display a parking permit in the rear window. Residents shall notify A.M.H.A. of any changes at recertification.
- All vehicles must be licensed with the State Bureau of Motor Vehicle and registered with AMHA.
- Vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas only. Handicapped spaces are reserved for residents who display State approved handicapped status on their vehicles.
- In multi-unit complexes such as Furl Williams Apartments, residents may not wash or repair vehicles on the premises.
Tenant may not perform automotive repairs in the parking area. Also, cars on jacks or blocks will not be permitted at any time.
Pets are not allowed except in the case of elderly, handicapped or disabled residents with written permission. Refer to A.M.H.A. Pet Policy should you have questions concerning these requirements and the definition of a pet.
Resident’s children must be supervised at all times.
Laundry rooms are for the exclusive use of residents. A.M.H.A. is not responsible for any items stolen from these areas. Residents shall not leave laundry unattended while using the laundry equipment. No children are permitted in the laundry room. Residents are responsible for cleaning up after use.
Residents are responsible for the conduct of their guests, and their guests will comply with the terms of the Lease and Rules and Regulations. Residents of the Furl Williams Apartments must register their guests (except government and medical personnel) by completing registration forms provided by management.
Residents will notify A.M.H.A. in writing of any guests staying over three days.
Dishwashers, freezers, and other large appliances will not be permitted in the living unit without the prior written consent of the A.M.H.A. Additionally, no washer and/or dryer are permitted at the Furl Williams Apartments. Furl Williams Apartments shall be assessed a fee for the utility costs of approved appliances not provided by A.M.H.A. (such as a freezer).
Residents must immediately notify A.M.H.A. of needed repairs and damages. All repairs to the living unit made by A.M.H.A., (Agent, or its employees), at the expense of A.M.H.A., (Agent or its employees), except for those repairs which are not considered normal wear and tear are caused by the resident. The resident must pay the cost of repairs caused by the resident. During normal working hours, service repairs requested by the resident will be performed in the living unit with the resident’s permission whether the resident is home or not. Preventative maintenance work will be performed upon twenty-four hour prior written notice from management. It is preferred that the resident be in attendance while all such repairs are made.
No additional lock will be permitted to be installed on the entry door of the living unit without prior written approval of A.M.H.A. Any re-keying of the front door lock is prohibited.
- Additional interior locks are not permitted to be installed without the written approval of A.M.H.A.
Painting or changing of paint colors in the living unit is prohibited. All painting will be done by A.M.H.A. unless prior written consent from A.M.H.A. is received. No alteration of the living unit in any manner will be permitted.
Residents will not shake any rug, mop, broom or other such items out of the windows, balconies, or doorways. Balconies will not be used for drying of clothes or other items.
There shall be no large nails, brads, or screws driven in or screwed into woodwork, walls, floors, or plastering without first obtaining written permission from A.M.H.A.
There shall be no lounging, sitting upon or unnecessary loitering in or upon the front steps, the sidewalks, railings, stairways, halls or landings of the buildings by residents or members of his/her family or guests of multi-family building or complexes.
A.M.H.A. will charge a service charge for lockouts (unlocking dwellings) requested by the resident. Charges for such service will be the current hourly wage of maintenance employees during working hours; maintenance overtime wages all other times. No one other than the properly identified person listed on the Lease will be admitted into the premises without the prior written approval of the resident.
A.M.H.A. reserves the right to rescind or change any of the foregoing rules and to make such other rules and regulations as may be deemed for the safety, care and cleanliness of said premises, and for the securing of the comfort and convenience of all residents.