Community Application

This agreement between Alison Reyes (the Community Manager) and you (the Community Member), regards payments and membership in the BlackBird community located in the 5-bedroom apartment at 927 NW 24th Ave #1, Portland, OR 97210.

Lease:

If you are in this household, you agree to follow the terms of the master lease. If you decide to be a full time member and accepted by all tenants, then you will be asked to be added to the lease. This agreement, along with the "Add or Remove Resident Addendum", allows for you to leave the house before the lease term is up, and have your name removed from the master lease shoud you choose to vacate before the lease term is up.

Through this agreement, you are not required to stay for the duration of the lease, even if you are on it, an end of next complete month notice can be given to Alison before the first of any month. Examples of end of month notice dates are: Jan 31, Feb 28, March 31, April 30, May 31, June 30, July 31, Aug 31, Sept 30, Oct 31, Nov 30, Dec 31 with a minimum of a 30 day lead. Notice in this context refers to moving out, buttoning things up and not living here or paying rent here afterwards. If the vacancy created by your moving out has not been filled by the end of your accepted notice, Alison will cover the cost of the rent for your room after you move out.

Upon move-in, the terms of your membership will begin with a two- month trial period to assess your compatibility with the household, how you conduct yourself as a roommate, and the harmony between the lease holders. If its a good fit, you will be asked to go onto the master lease. There will be a background check and renter’s insurance is required should you choose to commit. .If we are not a good fit then at the two month mark we will give a thirty day grace period to find a more suitable dwelling. Everybody who resides in this community has the right to feel physically and emotionally safe and careful consideration is given to maintain a healthy community.

Rent is for your room and every part of the shared living space including the front porch, front bonus room, den, laundry area, kitchen, eating area, sauna, back porch bathrooms that are not adjacent to a bedroom and garden. The art studio is personal and not part of the shared space. Rent is collected by the community manager and paid in a lump sum to the owner. Once each person has paid their part the payment is made. Alison does not cover rent for individual members so in the event that someone is unable to or chooses not to pay it is up to the remaining members to handle the situation. If the rent is paid late as described in the master lease, a fee of $75 is applied to encourage timely payments.

The deposit is equal to the amount of your room rent and is held for potential damages and or cleaning. No amount of the deposit is to be used for rent.  As per Oregon State law, the deposit will be refunded within thirty-one days of move out, minus any amount required to repair damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and/or to remedy final cleaning. If you move out and cleaning or repairs still need to be finished, the community will step in, take care of it and deduct $160 an hour to go to the people who take care of it and the community fund. If money is deducted from your deposit amount, a letter of explanation will be provided explaining any deductions. The owner keeps the deposit as a whole until the lease is no longer renewed so with this agreement we can remedy that if you are not here for the duration of the lease. Please follow, “steps to moving out” for a smooth transition. *Please note that keeping of any deposit funds is a rare occurrence. If belongings are removed and the room is clean and home undamaged expect your deposit back in full with no hassle. If there is anything that concerns you, see Alison ahead of time to navigate the situation.

Community Member agrees to remove all belongings when moving out. Any expense incurred as a result of disposing of abandoned items will be deducted from your security deposit.

Utilities will be paid on the first day of the month along with rent. The Community Member will pay an equal share of total utilities. This amount will be adjusted periodically depending upon variations in usage. If more than five days late on utilities a $40 fee will be imposed.

The Community has a Bengal cat, Nyoki, and occasional visits from her brother, Salem. It is imperative that care is taken to make sure the cats do not go outside or get into danger. We are not looking for additional pets at this time. If ever a time comes when a pet is to be considered, the people her and cats must approve.

No smoking is allowed inside the building or on the back porch. The Community Member agrees to maintain a smoke-free home. Smoking is permitted on the front porch provided ashtrays or cigarette butts are hidden from plain view or ashtray washed each use.

The following consumables are provided for the convenience of the Community

Member, the cost of which is included in the utilities:

• Toilet paper
• paper towels
• natural dish soap
• dishwasher detergent
• natural laundry detergent
• hand-washing soap
• antimicrobial counter spray
• light bulbs                           

  In addition, dry herbs and spices, salts, vinegar (many varieties), oils (such as avocado oil, coconut oil, virgin olive oil, seasame oil, sunflower oil are provided as well as loose leaf tea.

Most items that Alison owns she is willing to share with the Community Members.

Feel free to use them, but please do so with care. A list of those items is outlined in

the "Shared Items List". If the Community Member damages one of those items,

they will agree to repair or replace it, or reimburse Alison the cost of repairing or

replacing it. In the unfortunate event damage occurs to an item, the parties will

discuss the most appropriate remedy. (These guidelines apply to items any

community member decides to share with the household).

Our rhythm for caring for the house is in a format on the fridge. It is propelled by

self-accountability. If you see something that needs to be done and take time to do it,

simply initial the day and task you have done. This rhythm may be in sync with the

house meetings, so any task undone can be addressed. So far, this has worked out

better than an assigned chore chart, however, the community as a whole could move

to change this if an improved method develops.

***Each member agrees to prioritize clear, open communication amongst collective

members.***

- Accelerated communication is necessary while finding new members. Once a

prospective member has been interviewed, toured, and is ready to meet the other

residents, existing members will contact them within two days to set up a time to

chat or meet in the flesh.

If you are experiencing conflict with another community member, you are both

responsible for attempting to work it out amongst yourselves. If direct communication

doesn’tsolve the problem, two volunteering community members will mediate a

conversation to help find a resolution.

- If unresolved conflict or tensions remain, the longer standing member will remain

and the person with less seniority will find a different place to reside out of respect

for everyone.

The Community Member agrees to participate in house meetings to establish

guidelines and clear communication while navigating the shared space. The

meetings will help us to convey concerns, share what may be coming up such as a

visit from family, or make suggestions for gatherings that will help to build cohesion

in our community. As a group, we will decide the best time and frequency for house

meetings. If the Community Member cannot attend a meeting, you agree to give a

minimum of 24-hour notice (if possible). If you are the cause of a meeting not

happening you agree to take on the responsibility of finding the next suitable time

4we can all get together. You may join a meeting via teleporting if you are unable to

be here physically. (Phoning in, that is)

Providing the Community Member uses them with care, and follows these guidelines.

1. Furnishings in common areas.

2. Silverware. (Please do not place any on the right side in the sink, as it has

happened that knives and forks have slipped into the disposal and been

damaged.) In home use only.

3. Glasses.

4. Cutting Knives. (Please clean them by hand and return them to the magnet

directly after use. They are not dishwasher safe.)

5. Stainless Steel Pots and Pans. (These are dishwasher safe.)

6. Miscellaneous Kitchen Items. (These include all items in small kitchen

drawers like can openers, teaspoons, and other tools and utensils.)

7. Plastic food storage containers and glass “mason- style” jars. Feel free to

take these with you and bring them back.

Everyplace marked with blackbird stickers are meant for community use.

NOTE: Please use special care to clean kitchen items carefully and run

through dishwasher as the Alison has severe food allergies. (Garlic, eggs, dairy,

pepper, gluten, yeast, shellfish and mushrooms).

Alison is not willing to share the following items because they are fragile, have

a short lifespan if used frequently, or have too much sentimental value:

1. Non-Stick Pans. (Located on hooks just outside of the pantry on the left).

2. Great-Grandmother's China. (Located in East dining room cupboard).

3. Antique crystal glasses with Round Blue Handles. (Located in North dining

room cupboard).

Thank you!

• Leave the sink empty. (nothing left in it and ready for someone else to use).
• Clean counters & cutting boards after use. (counter spray provided).
• Wash your own dishesand put away your clean dishes. (leaving the dish drainer free for others as often as possible).
• Please keep shared counter space free of personal items.
• Coffee? (There’s a square of marble to keep your coffee supplies if you prefer to keep them out.)
• Sharp Knives Clean and return to their magnet directly after use. Hand wash only.
• Stainless steal pots and pans -clean well afterwards. Dishwasher safe.
• Dishes -are for all to use aside from my great-grandmother’s china. Please don’t take them away from home.
• Dishwasher- Clean sign when washing-Dirty sign when ready to load
• Refrain from eating other peoples food.
• If you use the Berkey or water kettle, fill the Berkey and water kettle.
• When using my things, be aware that my food allergies are Garlic, egg of
• chicken, black pepper, gluten, yeast, mushrooms and pasteurized dairy and shellfish. If any of these items are used, take special care to clean them well or even run them through the dishwasher.
•  
• Many Thanks!

Heater schedule for cold season is 8am to 9pm 69 degrees, 9 pm until 8 am 57 degrees. This will serve as our core schedule that we can vary from if needed.

 

Quiet time between 10pm & 9am unless arrangements are made in advance.

 

Guest protocol: As a courtesy, please let people know if you plan to bring more than two guests at a time or an over night guest. Group text is effective.

 

If you plan to stay somewhere else please block the time on the calendar so we are aware of your absence.

 

Participate in maintaining the household by utilizing and actively participating in the rhythm chart up until you move out.

 

Keep common kitchen counter areas and sink free of personal items so it may be used for prep and washing.

 

Keep doors locked (both front and back) at all times excluding a quick trip to the compost or the like.

 

Keep the porch light, two flicker lights on in the evenings and shut them in the light of day. (take a point)

 

Complete action items that you volunteer for prior to the next meeting when possible.

 

During hot weather open windows in the evening and close before it heats up the next day. (take a point)

 

Attend and participate in community meetings and let members know well in advance if you need to change the date or cannot attend.

 

Rent can not be renegotiated.

• Wash hands upon entering the house.

• Use individual cloth hand towels and retire them when done

• Share with community if you are having cold symptoms

• Share with the community if anyone in your first circle tests positive.

 

If someone has it:

• They will have sole use of a private bathroom

• They will quarantine to their room as much as possible

• All other community members will help with contactless support to make it

possible to quarantine

• N95 mask in common areas

Thank you all for taking this modern plague seriously and actively navigating while

we share our space!

Notice is to be given for the first of a future month with a 30 day minimum.

 

It is now vital to have complete cooperation in showing the room, don’t be shy! It doesn’t have to be perfect; people of interest will want to take a peek with your permission and advance notice.

 

Please be flexible and do your best to make it easy.

 

After notice is given, continue to do your share of household chores.

 

Remove all of your belongings by the move out day. (we will let you know if you left anything behind!)

 

Clean your empty room: sweep, mop, dust, clean marks off the walls..

 

Bathroom: clean the shower or tub you used, your personal space, floor, sink mirror and toilet..

 

fridge shelf: remove all of your food and run your shelf through the dishwasher or clean

thoroughly by hand.

 

Food: take the amount that you bought in in the beginning.

 

Keys: leave it when you are done. If keys are not returned a $75 deduction will come out of the deposit (to go toward rekeying the lock).

 

Get a walk through with Alison a minimum of four days in advance so there is time to complete tasks, meet expectations and get the full deposit.

 

Any extra days will be charged for the regular rent/utility rate.

 

Cleaning: if somehow the cleaning is not done by the move out date (rare occurrence), the community will take on finishing up and a deduction of $120 per hour will be taken from your cleaning deposit and will be split between the people cleaning and the house FUNd.

You may need to stack boxes outside your room or about the house and we understand!

 

Your deposit will be returned within a couple of weeks though there is a 31 day window. Please let me know the best way to get this to you!

 

Lastly, sign the add/drop form so we can be sure to get you off the lease.

 

Thank you so much, following this will make it a breeze for the whole community.

 

 

 

• Pay the rent to the owner (who rents the whole house to us and requires one payment for that)

• Pay the utilities and have them in my name

• Vet new potential members and do a lot of the leg work to make it easier for others. (We all decide)

• Provide most of the furnishings, silverware, glasses, dishes, stainless steel pots and pans, BBQ, garden beds,

• Lease negotiations

• Pay legal fees

• Distribute and retrieve keys

• Cover the cost of empty rooms

• Alison put $7,000 down to move in and manage deposit money coming in or out. If she did not do this, anyone who would like his or her deposit from the owner would have to remain on the lease until it is terminated and we all move out. The original deposit will be distributed to whom ever is on the lease at the end of the term.

• Meet service people for inspections and repairs

• Set the room rates

• Print and distribute community paperwork

 

What you get living here:

• Below market rent for a room in a beautiful apartment.

• A furnished home already set up

• Garden beds and arch

• Art, if you live here art will be in your life in many ways even if you do not partake.

• Community structure that is molded to fit the needs of the active members, (meaning all who live here), by way of decisions at the house meetings and going off what has been decided from years past unless a change is put forth that we agree upon.