Rental Terms & House Rules

These terms summarize the house rules and resident responsibilities for Create Happiness House. They are intended to be included with, referenced by, or attached to the signed rental agreement. If the signed rental agreement says something different, the signed agreement controls.

This page is practical house policy, not legal advice. Rules may be adjusted in writing when required by law or approved by the property owner.

Before You Tour or Apply

A shared house is a little different from renting an apartment. Create Happiness House rents private furnished bedrooms to unrelated adult residents who share a kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, and common spaces. Before anyone commits, we want prospective residents to understand how the house works.

We consider the usual rental qualifications, including ability to pay and screening results, along with whether applicants understand and are willing to follow the house rules and shared-space arrangements described below.

Meeting the basic screening requirements does not guarantee that a room will be offered. We may consider multiple qualified applicants before offering a room.

Length of Stay

All rooms have a 1-month minimum. After the initial full month, you can stay for additional months or add partial weeks at your room's listed weekly extension rate. For example: 1 month, 1 month + 1 week, 1 month + 2 weeks, or 2 months. Weekly rates are not standalone rentals; stays of only 1, 2, or 3 weeks are not available.

Occupancy

  • Each rented bedroom is set up for one approved occupant unless a different occupancy arrangement is approved in writing before move-in.
  • The resident named in the rental agreement is the only person permitted to live in the room.
  • The home is a quiet shared residence with a shared kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, parking, and common areas.
  • Overnight guests require advance written permission.
  • Guests are the resident's responsibility and must follow house rules while on the property.
  • No parties, events, or unapproved gatherings.

Pets and Assistance Animals

  • Pets are not permitted.
  • Assistance animals are not treated as pets when an accommodation is required under applicable housing law.
  • Requests for an assistance-animal accommodation are considered individually.

Quiet Use and Shared Spaces

These expectations help everyone live comfortably in a shared home. When deciding whether to offer or renew a room, we may consider an applicant's agreement to these expectations and a resident's record of following them. We focus on specific housing-related conduct, such as cleaning up, observing quiet hours, and following guest and parking rules, and apply these expectations consistently.

  • Respect other residents' privacy and belongings. Do not enter another resident's room or use their belongings without permission.
  • Treat other residents, contractors, owners and property representatives, and guests respectfully.
  • Communicate reasonably and respectfully about household issues, and bring unresolved concerns to the owners or property representatives.
  • Do not substantially interfere with another resident's reasonable use and enjoyment of the house.
  • Follow the guest rules under Occupancy and the parking and shared-property rules under Parking and Property Access.
  • Quiet hours are 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
  • Residents must keep music, TV, phone calls, and conversations at a respectful volume at all times.
  • Clean up after yourself in the shared kitchen, bathrooms, laundry areas, and sitting areas after each use.
  • Food must be stored in assigned or appropriate areas.
  • Residents may not block hallways, exits, stairs, driveways, or shared access areas.
  • Smoking, vaping, candles, incense, and open flames are not permitted inside the house.

Parking and Property Access

  • Parking is limited to approved vehicles in approved parking areas.
  • The resident must provide current vehicle information if requested.
  • Do not park on grass, block driveways, block other vehicles, or use areas not designated for resident parking.
  • Garage parking and garage storage are not included unless specifically approved in writing.
  • Keys, entry codes, and access information may not be copied or shared.

Care of Furnishings and Inventory

  • Rooms are furnished and stocked for normal residential use.
  • Residents are responsible for damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.
  • Missing items, damaged items, excessive cleaning, smoke odor, pet odor, stains, or misuse may be charged to the resident.
  • Residents may not remove furniture, linens, kitchen items, decor, appliances, electronics, or supplies from the property.
  • Any maintenance issue, leak, broken item, pest concern, or safety concern should be reported promptly.

Move-Out Expectations

  • Remove all personal belongings, food, and trash.
  • Return keys and any access items.
  • Leave the room, bathroom areas, kitchen areas, laundry areas, and common spaces reasonably clean.
  • Do not leave furniture, boxes, clothing, appliances, or unwanted items behind.
  • Charges may apply for missing items, damaged items, abandoned property, excessive cleaning, or disposal.

Replacement and Damage Costs

The following list gives typical replacement or repair charges. Actual charges may be higher when the real cost of replacement, repair, delivery, installation, professional cleaning, or disposal is higher.

  • Room key or entry item: $25 each
  • Lock rekey caused by lost key or shared access: $150 and up
  • Bath towel: $15 each
  • Hand towel or washcloth: $8 each
  • Sheet set: $45 each
  • Pillow: $25 each
  • Mattress protector: $40 each
  • Comforter or quilt: $90 each
  • Shower curtain or liner: $20 each
  • Shower caddy: $15 each
  • Mini fridge: $175 and up
  • TV or remote: $175 and up
  • Desk chair: $75 and up
  • Desk, vanity, dresser, nightstand, or shelving: actual replacement cost
  • Lamp: $35 each
  • Trash can: $20 each
  • Laundry basket or hamper: $20 each
  • Kitchen cookware, bakeware, dishes, utensils, or small appliances: actual replacement cost
  • Excessive room cleaning: $75 and up
  • Excessive common-area cleaning caused by resident or guest: $75 and up
  • Stain removal, odor treatment, or carpet/upholstery cleaning: actual professional cost
  • Wall, door, trim, floor, fixture, appliance, plumbing, or electrical damage: actual repair cost
  • Abandoned-property removal or disposal: $50 and up

Important Fair Housing Note

Create Happiness House follows applicable federal, state, and local fair housing requirements. Rules are intended to protect quiet enjoyment, safety, property condition, and shared-house function, and should be applied consistently.