House Rules, Requirements, Procedures, and Lodger Agreement

(No Recovery Program or Services Provided)

Mission Statement

 Our mission is to be the premier provider of sober living housing by providing an alcohol and drug free residence in a clean, safe, and supportive environment. Our residents will be adult alcoholics and addicts who are motivated to continue their recovery, committed to staying sober, and agree to remain active in their recovery program. 

 

Section 1 – Prospective Residents

 1.1 Qualifications – To be considered for admittance, prospective residents shall possess the following: a desire to stay sober, ability to get along with others, agree to abide by all house rules, a willingness to work their program, and the ability to meet financial requirements.

 1.2 Screening – All prospective residents shall pass an interview with at least one sober living coordinator. Photo identification must be available.  Verification of financial responsibility may be required.  If applicant does not meet requirements for admission, they will be referred to the Sober Living Network referral number at 800-799-2084.

 1.3 Application form – A copy of the new resident application form must be completed in its entirety.  Choices reserves the right to contact and/or verify any reference provided on the application form.  A copy of the completed and signed application form, the signed lodger agreement, criminal history verification form, and a copy of the resident’s photo identification shall be placed in the resident’s file. 

  

Section 2 – Residency Requirements

 2.1 – Agree to not drink alcohol or use any illicit drugs while living at Choices.  Also agree not to have any alcohol, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia on the property at any time. 

 2.2 – Ability to pass a drug and alcohol test and agree to submit to random testing. 

 2.3 – Agree to continue working a 12 step program by attending a minimum of 3 meetings a week and working a program of recovery with a sponsor.

 2.4 – Respect the rights, views and property of other residents.  Get along with others.

 2.5 – Agree to contribute to the cleanliness of the house by doing their chore and picking up after themselves.

 2.6 – Agree to abide by all the house rules.

 2.7 – Ability and agreement to pay lodger fees.

2.8 – Agree to take prescription medications as prescribed and be in good medical health, free of communicable diseases that put others at risk of contraction through casual contact.. 

  

Section 3 – House Rules

 

Note: Management reserves the right to change or make additions to the house rules at any time.  Management also has the right to interpret and apply the rules at their own discretion and may do so differently from case to case.  These rules have been adopted and modified by the house captains and residents over the course of many months.  Individual houses may adopt rules that are specific to their house using the democratic process.  These rules must be approved by the directors and sober living coordinators. 

 

3.1 Policy Prohibiting Alcohol and Non-Prescribed Drugs – Alcohol, illegal drug, or non-prescribed drug use or possession are strictly prohibited. Any resident who is found to have used, is under the influence of, or in possessions of alcohol or illicit drugs will be immediately required to move out and stay out of that house for a minimum of 30 days. ALL RESIDENTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG SCREENS and/or ROOM SEARCHES.  Under no circumstances shall a resident who is under the influence be allowed in the house.  Management shall pack their bags for them.  When sober, the resident can arrange with the office to retrieve personal property. 

 3.2 Prescription Drug Policy – All prescription and over-the-counter medications being taken must be disclosed to management.  It is the residents’ responsibility to notify management when there is a change to their medications.  If a resident is prescribed psychotropic medications, the resident must continue taking them to stay in the house.  Prescription medications must be taken in the dosage and frequency as prescribed.  Abuse of medication can be considered a relapse.  Taking or possessing prescription drugs that are prescribed to someone else is prohibited. 

 3.3 Violence – Violence or threats of violence can result in eviction. Arguments between residents are also prohibited.  Yelling, cursing, and disruptive behavior is prohibited. 

 3.4 Curfew – Curfews must be followed unless other arrangements are made in advance with management.  Curfews are set based upon a system of phases as follows: 

 

Phase 1 – All residents start off in phase one.

-        Residents must be home by 11:00 p.m. and must remain home till no earlier than 5:00 a.m. every day.

-        No overnight passes.

 

Phase 2 – Eligible for phase 2 after 30 days of residency in good standing.

-        11:00 p.m. curfew Sunday through Thursday, 1:00 curfew Friday and Saturday.  Must remain home till no earlier than 5:00 a.m.  every day.

-        Overnight passes must be approved by house captains and the sober living coordinator in the office (Chores must be covered, all lodger fees must be current, resident must be in overall good standing)

 

Phase 3 – Eligible for phase 3 after six months of continuous residency in good standing.

-        No curfew.

-        Overnight passes don’t need to be approved, but the house captains must be informed. (Chores must be covered, all lodger fees must be current, resident must be in overall good standing)

-        If out and need to stay out all night, but didn’t plan ahead and notify house captain and sign log, must either call the house captains before 11:00 pm or call one of the sober living coordinators. 

 

Moving up to a higher phase must be earned and is not guaranteed solely by continued residency.  Phase advancement is based upon the residences overall adherence to house rules, input from house residents and house captains, and the judgment of the owners and sober living coordinators.

 A resident who does not follow all the house rules is subject to dropping down to a lower phase. 

 3.5 Twelve-Step Programs - Residents must attend a minimum of three 12-step meetings per week and have a sponsor. This information must be listed on the meeting signup sheet each week.  Sponsorship may be verified by office staff at anytime. 

 3.6 Television – Unless an individual home votes otherwise, the house TV shall be turned off by 11:00 pm daily and by 1:00 am Saturday and Sunday mornings and shall remain off until no earlier than 5:00 am. During the weekdays, Monday–Friday, the TV shall be off from 9am-4pm. The house TV shall be set to the channel which the majority of viewers select.  Personal TVs are allowed in bedrooms, must fit on top of a dresser and may only be played with the permission of the other room residents that are present. 

 3.7 Stereos – Personal stereos are permitted in the house and may be played only with the use of headphones. 

 3.8 House Meetings – Participation in the weekly house meeting(s) is mandatory.  Additional meetings may be called when a situation warrants.  Acceptable reasons for excused absences are being hospitalized or having to work (paid work, not volunteering). 

 3.9 Cleaning – A list of chores will be posted weekly. Residents are expected to complete assigned chores in a timely fashion.  Chores should be completed by 10am or prior to leaving the house, or the night before.  The completion of chores are verified by the house captains. 

 Residents are expected to pick up after themselves and clean appliances after use.  Dishes, cups, utensils are to be washed or loaded in the dishwasher immediately after use.  Personal belongings and trash shall not be left out in the house. 

 3.10 Bedrooms – Residents are expected to keep their bedrooms clean and neat at all times. Beds must be made each morning.  On Monday through Friday residents are encouraged to be up and out of bed by 8am. Only those residing in a given room and management may enter that room. Management has the right to enter any room at any time.  Food is not to be stored or consumed in bedrooms.

 3.11 Behavior – Residents are expected to act like ladies and gentlemen.  No pornography or sexual activity on premises, no cussing, no fighting, no stealing, no lying, and no behavior that is not conducive to recovery.  Intimate relations between residents are not condoned.  The living room, library, dining room, kitchen, and yard are common areas. Rules of common courtesy, respect, cleanliness, and cooperation are in order.  Residents are expected to be good neighbors, not just “non-disturbing” neighbors.

 3.12 Visitation Policy – Guests are allowed in the house between the hours of 9:00 am and 10:00 pm.  Guests must abide by all house rules and are expected to be clean, courteous, and sober at all times. Guests may not stay overnight. Guests must be escorted by the host resident, who is responsible for the guest while in the house. Guests are not allowed in any bedroom.  Guests will be required to vacate the property for any violation of house rules or procedures. 

 3.13 Smoking Policy – Smoking is not allowed inside the house at any time.  Smoking is allowed outside provided that the ashes and buts are disposed of in the proper containers. 

 3.14 Eviction – Lodgers can be asked to vacate premises without notice at anytime.  Lodging fees are paid in advance and are nonrefundable. 

  

Section 4 – Policy/Guidelines/Procedures

 4.1 Chain-of-Command – All resident questions, concerns and comments are to be directed to the house captains first, then to the Sober Living Coordinator, before being brought to the attention of the directors.

 4.2 Exceptions to Curfew – Overnight/weekend passes may be granted at the discretion of management if the following criteria are met:

  • The resident has lived at the house for more than 30 days.
  • The resident is current with rent.
  • The overnight pass slip has been filled out in its entirety and signed approval by both house captains and one of the sober living coordinators in the office, prior to the day.
  • The resident has made arrangements to have his chore covered while away.

It is the resident’s responsibility to inform management if their work schedule does not allow for compliance with curfew.

 4.3 Moving – Residents may move to a different bed within their assigned room, when a bed opens up, based on seniority.  The owners or sober living coordinators in the office must approve moves between rooms and between homes.  Moves are based on the discretion of the owners and sober living coordinators.  There is a $100 transfer fee for any resident moving from one house to another. 

 Personal belongings abandoned by residents become the property of Choices Sober Living for donation or distribution to residents.  Abandoned personal belongings may be held up to seven days.  Arrangements should be made with the sober living coordinators in the office to pick up personal belongings. 

 4.4 Valuables – Management is not responsible for residents’ personal property. Bringing valuables into the house are at the residents’ own risk. Abandoned property will be keep for up to 7 days. Residents are required to arrange for the claiming of this property during this time, or all property will be donated back to the house or charity.

 4.5 Emergencies – The police should be called only in the case of real emergencies.  Call 911 for medical emergencies.  If possible, the house captains and sober living coordinators should be informed first. 

 4.6 Mail Etiquette – Mail shall be given to the house captains for distribution.  Opening mail addressed to another person is a federal offense and a violation of house rules. 

 4.7 Computer Etiquette – Rules of common courtesy apply.  No resident shall monopolize the computer.  The computer shall not be used for pornography or any illegal activities. 

 4.8 Phone Etiquette – Calls from the house phone are $0.25 for 10 minutes of local call.  $0.75 for 3 minutes of long distance calls.  Rules of common courtesy apply.  No resident shall monopolize the house phone.  The house phone shall not be used for any inappropriate or illegal activities. 

 4.9 Events – Periodic events may be sponsored management.  These can include barbecues, holiday dinners, etc.  Resident sponsored events are allowed with prior authorization from the office. 

 4.10 Pet Guidelines – Dogs and cats can be very therapeutic and will help make the house a home.   With consistent training, the house pets should prove to be everyone’s best friend. Physical abuse of any animals will result in immediate eviction and prosecution to the full extent of the law.

 The residents are encouraged to:

  • Play with and talk to them.
  • Pet, scratch belly and behind ears.
  • Play catch but don’t chase after or play tug-of-war.
  • Ask if you have a question about the pets.

 But, Please Do Not:

  • Do not feed them any human food as this can make them sick. 
  • Don’t Tease or hit.
  • Don’t let the dog jump on you. Tell him firmly “down and no”.  If he does jump, you can lift up your knee or lean over him).
  • Don’t play tug-of-war or chase games
  • Don’t let dogs dig holes. If you see him digging tell him “no”, and tell management.
  • Don’t let the dog nip or bite. He’s just playing, but we don’t want him to think that biting or nipping is ok. Tell him “no” firmly and loudly.
  • Ask if you have any problems or questions.

 The residents are responsible for providing food and care to the house pets.  Management will cover the costs of medical care and licensing when needed. 

 4.11 Lodger Fees – Lodger fees are to be paid in advance and are non-refundable.  Lodger fees are due on the first of each month unless other arrangements are made in advance.  A late fee may be assessed and/or the resident may be asked to move out.  It is the residents’ responsibility to contact the appropriate person in the office to make payment or to make arrangements for payment.  Director has final authority regarding payment plans. 

 4.12 Relapse – A resident who relapses (uses alcohol or drugs) will be asked to immediately vacate the house and may not move back into that house for a minimum of 30 days. 

 4.13 Linen Deposit – A refundable linen deposit shall be paid if Choices’ linens are to be used.  This deposit shall cover the use of bedding (sheets, pillow, pillow case, blanket, towel, wash cloth, and mattress pad).  The deposit is refunded when the resident launders and returns all linens. 

 4.14 Key Deposit – After 30 days of residency in good standing, the resident may secure a key with a deposit, that is refundable upon return of the key.

 4.15 Confidentiality – Choices Sober Living is not bound by any rules of confidentiality with regard to client information.  Choices will fully cooperate with and share information with law enforcement personnel, including parole and probation officers.