H o u s e   R u l e s

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULES
The Occupant, referred to in these House Rules as "Occupant," must comply with the House Rules set forth below and with any changes to these House Rules and new House Rules that may be adopted in the future. Benedict House of Western New York, Inc., referred to in these House Rules as "Owner," Program Staff will give the Occupant notice in writing of any changes in the House Rules which are adopted. Violation of any of the House Rules will be considered a breach of the Agreement.

1. CONDUCT
Occupants must not engage in conduct which interferes with the right of other Occupants or other persons residing in the Building to enjoy their Dwelling Units, rooms, or common areas properly and peacefully, or cause conditions that are dangerous, hazardous, threatening, unsanitary, or otherwise harmful to any such other residents in the Building. Occupants and their guests may not congregate in hallways, stairwells, or any place other than designated areas. No weapons, fights, violence, theft and/or destruction or removal of food or property are allowed.

2. ALCOHOL, ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES
The consumption of alcohol in the Dwelling Unit, in the Building, or anywhere on the premises or the consumption of alcohol by you, the Occupant or any member of your family or any guest, in any part of the Building, or anywhere on the premises, including in any Dwelling Unit, all public areas in and around the building, and in any other area of the Building or property, is strictly prohibited. The use of illegal drugs, gambling, prostitution, or any other illegal activities are strictly prohibited in any Dwelling Unit or elsewhere in the Building or the grounds surrounding the Building.

  • Occupants suspected of using drugs and/or alcohol will be required to obtain medical clearance from his/her physician or will be referred to the Alcoholism Services of Erie County, 291 Elm Street, or ECMC to ensure their safety upon return to Benedict House. The House Coordinator on duty will contact the clinic referring the Occupant for suspected drug and/or alcohol use. A medical evaluation must be done, and the resident not be eligible for return to the premises without the proper medical documentation.

  • Upon the Occupant’s return to Benedict House, he/she must agree to participate in a treatment program to be determined by the resident and clinical staff. Failure to reach a mutual agreement for appropriate treatment will result in termination of residency.
3. GUESTS
Guests are welcome. They are required to observe the same rules that apply to the Occupant. Guests must be escorted by Occupant (or staff designated escort) AT ALL TIMES.

Guests of Occupants of Congregate Housing are permitted only in the community designated areas. They will be permitted in the Occupant’s room only in the event of illness and must be escorted by staff or their designee.

Guests must register with the receptionist and present I.D. on request and wait in the lobby for the Occupant (or staff designated escort). Visitors without I.D. must see the Residence Manager (or designee) and may be asked to return with I.D. Visiting hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Occupants are responsible for the behavior of their guests while the guests are anywhere in or about the Building. If any guest violates these House Rules, creates a nuisance or is considered to be engaging in conduct that is a crime, Owner may direct any such guest to leave the Building and/or contact the police for appropriate action. In the event that Owner is required to take such action because of the misconduct of the guest of an Occupant, then Owner may take the further additional actions:

  • Discuss the situation with the Occupant in an effort to avoid the recurrence of any misconduct or violation of these rules by a guest of the Occupant; and

  • If a guest of such Occupant thereafter engages in any misconduct or otherwise violates these rules, including but not limited to the creation of a nuisance or commission of a criminal act, then Owner may deny guests of the Occupant access to Building by notifying the Occupant in writing.

  • If the above procedures are not successful in resolving the problem, then Owner may pursue all available legal and equitable remedies against the Occupant for violation of the Agreement.
4. NOISE
No Occupant shall make any noise that would interfere with the rights, comforts, or conveniences of other residents in the Building, nor shall such Occupant permit guests, or visitors to make any such disturbing noise.
  • No Occupant shall play, or allow to be played, any musical instrument or any audio equipment (including radio and stereo equipment), or televisions in such a way as will disturb any other occupant of the building.
5. PUBLIC AREAS
Occupants and their guests may congregate only in designated areas (see CONDUCT). Occupants must not litter any of the Building’s public areas. Occupants must conduct themselves in an orderly manner when in such public areas. Children shall not play in the public halls, stairways, elevators, or any exterior landscaped areas, except those designated as play areas. No personal belongings shall be allowed to stand in the halls, passageway areas of the Building. No garbage cans, mats or other articles shall be placed in the halls or on the staircase landings. Bicycles are not permitted in the Building, except in the basement as designated by the Owner.

6. EXTERIOR OF DWELLING UNITS AND THE BUILDING
No radio, satellite dishes, air conditioners or television antennas may be attached to or hung from the exterior of the Building. No signs, notices or advertisements may be posted on or hung from any window or exterior of any door of a Dwelling Unit, and nothing shall be projected from any door or window in the Building.

7. CONDITION OF DWELLING UNIT
Occupant may make no alterations to the Dwelling Unit, structural or otherwise. Each Occupant must keep his or her Dwelling Unit clean and neat, in good order, and in good condition. Occupants must clean up kitchen and lounge areas following use and dispose of garbage regularly. Occupants may not throw any items from windows or hang or shake any items from doors, windows, or roofs or place any items on exterior windowsills.

  • Garbage Disposal: Garbage must be wrapped in plastic bags and placed into the containers provided. Garbage must not be allowed to accumulate in the Dwelling Unit.

  • Extermination: Exterminators, accompanied by building staff, will visit each Dwelling Unit on a schedule to be determined by Owner.
8. PETS
No dogs, cats or animals of any kind may be kept in the Dwelling Unit without the express written permission of Owner. Such permission, if granted by Owner, is revocable. Under no circumstances may a dog be permitted on a passenger elevator or in any public portion of the building (including the exterior property) unless carried or on a leash.

9. MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
  • Smoking is confined to designated areas.
  • Guests of Occupants may participate in congregate meals with advance notification to the Residence Manager.
  • Laundry: The laundry and drying appliances must be used in accordance with Owner’s instructions. No laundry may be hung in common areas.
  • Repairs and Maintenance: Requests for routine repair and maintenance items should be directed to Owner.
  • Locks: Occupants will be supplied with locks/key to their Dwelling Unit door. No other locks may be installed by Occupants.

  • Parking: Occupants are not permitted to park on the premises.

  • No Businesses: No Occupant may operate any business from the Dwelling Unit. Examples of businesses which are prohibited include, but are not limited to, music lessons, child care services, and the sale of goods or services.

  • Moving: Occupants shall use the Building elevator to move furniture and other possessions only on days, and at times, specifically designated by Owner. It is your responsibility to inquire with Owner as to those times when you may move such articles by use of the Building elevator. Owner shall not be liable to you for any cost, expenses, losses or other damages you, the Occupant, may incur in moving to or from the Building, including any reason that you are unable to use the elevator on a day, or at a time, that you may desire to use the elevator.

  • Recycling: The law requires recycling of certain refuse materials in the City of Buffalo. You, the Occupant, have the responsibility to make sure that recyclable materials are kept separated from other garbage materials that are not recyclable. Any recyclable materials must be kept separate from garbage and properly placed out for collection.

  • Graffiti: You are responsible for any costs or other damages incurred by Owner as a result of Graffiti which may have been left by you, the Occupant, or your guests.

  • Media: All representatives of the Media must obtain authorization to be on the premise from the Executive Director. This is in the interest of mutual courtesy, privacy of other residents and of providing the Media a contact with the agency. This practice in no way limits the capacity of the Occupants to contact or speak with the Media off premises, nor in the Building, once they have obtained proper permission.

  • Signing In and Out: Occupants are required to sign in and out of the Building in the Receptionist’s office.
10. DWELLING UNIT INSPECTION
Owner will retain a key to the Dwelling Unit. Each Occupant is required to return the key to Owner upon termination of the Occupancy Agreement.

Owner, or inspectors designated by Owner, will conduct periodic inspections of the Dwelling Units in order to ensure that health and safety standards are being maintained and Occupants are in compliance with the terms of this Agreement. Occupants will be notified in advance of these inspections, unless Owner has cause to believe that there is a health or safety violation or an emergency. Except in the case of emergencies, all inspections will be conducted in the presence of a resident of the Dwelling Unit, unless the Occupant gives permission to Owner to conduct the inspection in his or her absence.

A follow-up inspection may be conducted shortly after the regular scheduled inspection to insure that any health or safety issues have been addressed. The Occupant will be notified of this inspection as described above.

11. CONGREGATE-HOUSING ASSOCIATION
A Congregate-Housing Association will meet quarterly. All Occupants of Congregate-Housing in the Building are eligible for membership on this Association. The Congregate-Housing Association, in conjunction with Owner staff, may adopt additional House or Service Participation Rules that are consistent with the rights of the program Occupants.

 

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Benedict House of WNY, Inc.
2211 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214-2648
(716) 834-4940
Fax: (716) 834-7064
e-mail: bhmainst@adelphia.net

 

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