Residential Agreement (DRAFT SUGGESTION ONLY)

Updated 409 Days AgoPublic

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DRAFT, PROPOSAL ONLY

Principles

To have a home in our economic system requires payment of costs for three things, quoting @Kari:

1. The cost of land on which we live (this is the only truly non-negotiable, and the only genuinely appreciating asset, as everything else depreciates)
2. The cost of the dwelling in which we live (this is whatever we want it to be within the means we have available - folks can live in a tent if they want, or a mansion if they prefer)
3. The cost of the resources we use to facilitate our way of life - i.e. bills (this is also whatever we want it to be within the means we have available - folks can be frugal or decadent, and there are differing opinions on what's genuinely necessary)

So, as I see it, while land is a cost, then it's a cost everyone should pay an equal share of, unless by some agreement someone is able to access more of it in a way that restricts access to others (basically how capitalism works, eh? And if we're not capitalists, then we share.).

The dwellings we live in differ from person to person, based on whether an individual brings their own resources to the table, or utilises resources made available to them by someone else. The cost would therefore vary. If I bring my own tiny home, for example, then I'm paying for that, but I'm not paying it to the Sanctuary, because the Sanctuary is not providing it. If the Sanctuary provides me with a room, or other accommodation, then I pay the Sanctuary for access to that.

Our use of resources will also vary depending on our setup and whether we're sharing or independent. So, for example, if my tiny is off-grid, then I'm not using shared water or electricity, so I wouldn't expect to pay bills for resources provided by the Sanctuary. I'd be paying for my own off-grid setup, so still paying, but paying specifically to the provider of my resources. But if the Sanctuary provides my electricity and water, then I would see it as fair to pay an equal share of that. And if the overall costs are not what I would expect to pay, then I'd seek to negotiate ways in which all who share in those costs could arrive at costs we're all happy to pay (this would generally be by managing consumption, not trying to wriggle out of an equal share 🙂 ).
So, with that as the basis of my thinking, I'm suggesting the cost of land, dwellings, and bills all be managed separately, and in accordance with what any given individual is accessing. This would, in practice, involve figuring out a value that covers the cost of the land, and splitting that. And then figuring out a value that covers the cost of any dwelling provided by the Sanctuary, and charging that to any given individual accessing said dwelling. And then bills just split equally among those who use shared resources.

• Firestone Sanctuary Incorporated should not be making a loss on rental agreements
• Firestone Sanctuary Incorporated should be paying a stable yearly rent (or multi-yearly)
• Sublease agreements should be able to be stable fixed-term (e.g. 6 month or 12 month) after a probationary period to give stability to residents
• Assume year-round livability, disasters can be managed as they happen roughly adapting RTA precedents
• Itemise everything as a bill for those who it affects - try to factor in the maintenance bill as something that covers most cases but accept that there might be extraordinary circumstances that might impose a levy bill for those

Needs discussion:

The one thing I'll say that might be more controversial is that I think I should still pay for the use of the land when I'm not there if I have a dwelling on the land. If that dwelling is provided by the Sanctuary, then I also need to pay for that. But I would not need to pay bills if I'm away for an extended period, as I would not be using those resources (within reason - i.e. if I'm away for a couple of days, or go on a two-week holiday, then that's negligible in the grand scheme of things, it's something we all do, and it's easier not to quibble as it probably balances out).

• A fair rent price is one that assumes that rent will be sufficient for a person to live satisfactorily (i.e. if a person chooses to additionally rent another place in the city, that's exclusively their private choice but should not affect discussions on what a fair rent price should be)
• We may be able to negotiate a FIFO / combined rent (e.g. person A rents a dwelling Mondays - Thursdays and person B rents the dwelling Fridays - Sundays) in some sort of combined three-way agreement, but, in absence of this, a person should be considered to be renting 100% of the time

Suggestion:
Separate agreed-upon storage fees if a dwelling is packed up "out of the way", but standard rent charged if dwelling is set up in a way that others can't use a potentially rentable space

• minimum contribution vs "woofing" models or work-for-accommodation - the latter will be a later development but separate to residential agreements

Financials

Suggestion:
$100 for individuals living on the space in their own dwelling.
$150 when that includes a Sanctuary resource not owned by the resident, such as a room in the Cottage or Lily's Tiny Home.
Residents are expected to do (e.g.) 4+ hours work per week on Sanctuary tasks as general contribution.
Bills (internet, water, extraordinary electricity) still extra. Maintaining one's individual space as clean and mowed is not part of those 4+ hours.
We may have volunteer stipends later when Sanctuary has more of an income but it will not be part of the lease agreements at this stage.

Responsibilities

I understand the area that has been allocated to my care and stewardship.

I agree to maintain the area by keeping, at all times, where practicable

• all relevant grassed areas mowed below 10cm high
• all relevant planted trees watered
• the fire load low
• litter and mess in bins or taken to the dump
• no unnecessarily bright (including white light at night) or visually unappealing or offensive items
• no rocks or hidden items in areas that may be mowed
• weeds removed

I agree that any cables or pipes (electricity, water or other) in my area will be regularly maintained to be clean and free of grass or weeds as a high priority!

I agree that if I do not keep this agreement, another resident or collaborator can perform these maintenance tasks. If no other agreement can be made with that other person at the time, I agree to pay them at least standard minimum wage for doing so. I agree that said resident or collaborator may access my space while performing these tasks, as long as they give me reasonable notice that they are doing so (and a chance for myself to remedy first).

Suggestion:

Inclusive of Collaborator Agreement and being able to be reasonably contactable in an agreed-upon software platform (e.g. Discord)

Agree to give mobile phone contact details and have scan of photo identification documents taken(?)

Space-specific agreements - e.g. Cottage shared space and kitchen (e.g. cleaning roster for Cottage residents), composting toilet maintenance, future community buildings
All dwellings and used spaces to have at least one fire extinguisher on-hand