Rental Policy

Our purpose is to develop a community of long-term resident owners, rather than short-term tenants. Our community is based on relationships. We desire stability, demonstrated by low turnover.

We anticipate the need for owners to live away from the community at times, temporarily, for work, family or personal reasons. A rental policy will facilitate their ability to do so with out them having to sell their unit or incur financial loss, and will support our value of having a close-knit community.

Renting units provides for economic diversity and brings new ideas and energy into our community. It is also a way for people to try out living here who may choose to become owners.

Ashland Cohousing Community needs the participation of all of its residents to accomplish the shared tasks of the community. We seek those who are willing to be full participants in the work and the rewards of community living. ACC believes it is valuable to provide an orientation on cohousing to potential renters, discuss community life and invite them to meetings and common meals to help insure that the choice to rent here is the best one for the renter and the community. We do not intend for people to own units in our community for secondary residences, for investment opportunities as absentee landlords, as vacation rentals, or as homes held until later retirement.

After members have moved into ACC, there may be circumstances when they are absent from home for an extended periods and may wish to rent their home to a nonmember at that time. In order to insure stability of ownership in our community, owner absent renters will be limited to 2 homes at any given time.

To allow all owners a reasonable opportunity to rent if needed, each home is limited to a total of 24 months for every five years. If an owner’s absence exceeds 2 years, they will meet with the community to review their long-term plans for membership. It requires the consensus of the HOA for an absent owner to continue to rent beyond 2 years.

The owner continues to be responsible for monthly payments to the HOA. Besides HOA fees, there are community fees and costs associated with participation, some required and others elective, that renters may be asked to pay. The owner is liable for any and all unpaid community fees and costs that are incurred by their renter.

If there is a problem with a renter, the HOA will use the current process for conflict resolution. The owners are ultimately responsible for their renters following and abiding by the community policies, agreements and commitments.

ACC welcomes those renting rooms in a member’s home. These policies apply whether the homeowner is living in the home or elsewhere. Community dues will be assessed based on the number of people residing in a home at any given time.

Owners are required to have a written lease agreement with any renters staying for over 30 days. That agreement must include a rider stating: “Renter will read and agree to follow all of ACC’s policies, rules and regulations.”

Owners will give a minimum of 30 days notice to the community of their intent to rent their home or a room in their home. In the event of sudden and unexpected changes, the required notice may be shortened with community approval.

Under special circumstances, exceptions to this policy may be granted by the HOA.

This policy will be reviewed and amended if needed, by the HOA.