House Rules

“We Help Each Other lead a better life”

Download House Rules Doc

“We Help Each Other lead a better life”

HOUSE RULES

May 1st, 2025

www.goodhouseNW.org

GOOD HOUSE RULES

LANDLORD-TENANT RULES DO NOT APPLY TO TEMPORARY HOUSING

Our Mission: Good House is a 501C3 committed to provide safe shared single-family homes for people recovering from tough circumstances.

We serve those in recovery from substance use disorder.

In safe neighborhoods with connections to agencies who identify people who are ready to build a better future.

We serve people in need of stable housing.

We help them become secure and independent.

Good House will serve to create a better society of healthy individuals recovering from substance use disorder and becoming active in the community in which we help each other.

All sections in green ink are additions or rewording required by WAQRR to update our policies to meet WAQRR standards.

Sim Guth

House Manager_________________________, P______________________

Welcome to Good House. We have these rules because they are consistent with community placement and recovery practices. Please review carefully, as all residents will be expected to meet these expectations.

POLICIES & EXPECTATIONS

LIVING IN A GOOD HOUSE

Honesty and integrity are expected at all times.
You must abide by all rules of the house and all laws.
Everyone is expected to interview when you are first housed. Each one of these rules will be reviewed with you. Sim Guth is your first call if you have a conflict or problem.
You are expected to develop and implement a recovery program and work together with the residents in the houses on your recovery.
We encourage using external agencies that can help support you in achieving your goals. We believe that living in a Good House is an opportunity to expand and heal.We will do everything we can to facilitate your goals.
Respect all residents. Honesty, cooperation and integrity are expected at all times. Our highest values are zen, tranquility, cooperation and feeling personal safetyNo threats of harm (Cause for termination of residency). No obstruction with the authorities and Department of Corrections personnel monitoring their clients (Cause for termination of residency.)
No discussion about other resident’s background and warrants with non-residents.
Your health is a huge part of your recovery. We understand that many residents come to us with a number of prescribed medications designed to provide medically assisted recovery. During intake all medications, the prescribing physician, the strength and dosage must be reported on your intake form in Sobriety Hub. It is your responsibility to keep all medications locked up in your provided lock-box. Any changes in medications must be reported to the House Manager within 12 hours of the change. Failure to report changes of your medication promptly is grounds for termination.
To assist the house manager in scheduling meetings EACH RESIDENT MUST TURN IN A WRITTEN EMPLOYMENT AND RECOVERY MEETING SCHEDULE TO THE HOUSE MANAGER. If your schedule changes in either of these areas promptly update the schedule.
Each resident will create and an improvement plan. This improvement plan will include a main goal and why it is important. Once a month each resident will review the status of the plan with the Good House manager and share the successes and updates for the plan for the following month.

FINANCIAL POLICIES

ROOM CHARGES:

Room charge is $700 per month. You may be covered by an agency. When you do not have agency coverage if you wish to remain in the home you will be responsible for the room charge. We do not keep card information. You are responsible for making sure that your charges are paid, even if it is paid by another organization.

Please open a bank account. We will accept debit credit cards.
POLICY ON REFUNDS: If you break the rules and are asked to leave, there is no refund

I understand there is no refund

Signature__________________________________ Date_________________

FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT OF STAFF: Anyone associated with the houses or foundation is prohibited from handling your finances. We will provide referrals to banks and financial education that is external to the housing.
Your financial accountability continues as established during the intake process. Any changes in your financial situation must be immediately reported to Good House administration so emergency funding resources can be reviewed at least one week prior to the rental payment due dates.

Signature____________________________________ Date______________________

CURFEW & OVERNIGHTS

CURFEW: Curfew is midnight on Friday and Saturday night. Curfew is 10 PM Sunday through Thursday night. No exceptions unless approved by the House Manager. You may be asked to provide a work schedule to the house manager if you are working night shift.
You will be asked to provide a work schedule to the house manager. We enforce the curfew unless you have a check out slip from work.
NO CALL – NO SHOW at housing for 48 hours may result in exit. Please contact your house manager if you plan on being gone longer than 48 hours with approval.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

POLICY: NO DRUG USE OR ALCOHOL USE – INCLUDING MARIJUANA This is a recovery supportive housing program. Re-occurring Drug and Alcohol use may lead to a housing exit.

RCW 59.18.550 Drug and alcohol-free housing—Program of recovery—Terms—Application of chapter governs the terms of this agreement.

You are not allowed to use or possess alcohol, drugs, medications not prescribed to you, or drug paraphernalia.
You will be asked to sign a medical release form when you fill out your application so that we and our designee may share house drug testing results with counselors.

If you supply or give drugs or alcohol to another resident or are caught dealing drugs on or off property, we reserve the right to exit you immediately. (If exited, you may get your belongings within three days.)
If you have a recurrence of use of drugs or alcohol, you must self-report immediately to the Good House team and your drug court team. Not disclosing quickly and completely places your housing at risk.
There is no expectation of privacy. Staff may search the rooms for contraband at any time. Minimum 2 witnesses shall be present during any search.

You are not allowed to or any other group.
Any return to the house after a relapse may include a determined period at a detox and inpatient treatment center, a behavioral contract limiting travel, overnight stays and curfew hours. An increase in the frequency of UAs will be required. Good House administration will work with your outside agencies to determine a holistic path forward and a contract that reflects all needed compliance. Refusal to comply with adjusted behavioral rules as set forth in the contract will result in your termination from Good House.

You will have a baseline urinalysis drug test (UA) when you arrive. Random housing UA’s will be required. The house manager or any resident may request a random UA. Failure to take a UA when asked may lead to a housing exit. We frequently UA an entire house.
If you use someone else’s urine sample or synthetic (store bought) urine for your UA, you may be exited immediately.
If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol or have substances in your UA, you may be removed from housing immediately.
The results of your housing UAs will be made available to drug court staff/counselor/CCO.
Bringing fentanyl into the house is cause for immediate termination and payment for a hazmat removal.

MEDICATION

Only prescription drugs prescribed by your healthcare provider and approved by your drug court team are allowed. No cough syrup, unless it is prescribed.
If you are on medication that is prescribed by your physician or program,

Any prescribed medication must be kept in your provided personal locked box. Please take your medications privately and not in the presence of other residents.
You will be expected to follow drug court policies regarding prescription medication. If you receive a new prescription, make sure to report it to your Drug Court case manager and your treatment provider.
Possession of medication not prescribed to you is cause for an exit.
Unused medication abandoned by resident that moved out will be kept with belonging for pick up. If not picked up within seven days will be taken to the pharmacy safe medication disposal bin

COMMUNICATIVE DISEASE POLICY

As a resident of Good House, you will be living together with others in recovery. People in recovery have the right to keep their personal health conditions private. Therefore, recovery house or you may not know if someone you are living with has a serious communicable disease. Therefore, it is recommended that you always follow precautions to avoid the transmission of communicable disease.

It is the policy of Good House that standard precautions will be utilized by recovery housing and residents in the handling/disposal of hazardous materials and infection control.

First-aid kits will be available at each site for use in the cleanup of hazardous/infectious waste. Included in the kit are instructions on standard precautions to provide instruction on the appropriate handling of waste.

General sanitation procedures will be conducted in compliance with accepted precaution standards.

All staff shall receive training regarding the prevention and control of infection and communicable diseases, and the appropriate use of standard precautions.

All residents are informed of expectations around the spread of communicable disease and general expectations regarding reducing the possible spread of such disease, such as maintaining a clean environment, hand washing and not sharing toiletries or other personal items.

Any resident who discloses to Good House that he/she/they may have a communicable disease will be connected to a health care provider or public health department, as appropriate.

GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY

SMOKING & VAPING

Do not smoke or vape in your room or anywhere in the house. Smoking/Vaping is only allowed outside . Please clean up your smoking materials.
The exterior of the house shall be kept neat. This is a nice community and we want to keep a good relationship with neighbors so that the program can remain here.
As a member of the Good House community, you are expected to speak with courtesy to all our neighbors.
When approached by a neighbor do not attempt to resolve any complaints directly, give them Sim Guth’s contact information as well as the house lead’s information.

SHARED LIVING COURTESY POLICY

ROOMS

There will be both scheduled and random room searches for all residents. Rooms may be searched for drugs or contraband at any time.
ROOM CARE: Rooms must be kept orderly and clean. Beds should be made daily when not occupied. Dirty dishes should be removed daily and washed. Trash should be emptied daily.
Food may not be stored in rooms.
Rooms are shared rooms, unless arrangements are made. If there is an open bed in your room, you are responsible for maintaining the bed. You may not use the spare bed, dresser or closet.

HOUSE CARE

Immediately clean up any area you use (Kitchen, Bathroom, and Common area). .We provide bleach in the house for sanitizing surfaces. Do not leave dishes in the sink.
: Do not put anything into the toilet except toilet paper. Putting any other objects into the toilet may cause damage and will lead to an immediate exit.
HOUSE CHORES: You are expected to participate in house chores and they will be assigned weekly. The chore list is in the kitchen. If you cannot do your chore, you need to make arrangements with another resident to cover it for you. The house will be deep cleaned by residents every week. Chores will include thorough cleanup of common areas (kitchens, bathrooms, living room). Each tenant is responsible for cleaning up after themselves and for participating in communal chores as assigned.
UTILITIES and GARBAGE: Energy conservation is everyone’s responsibility. Garbage must go out. It is up to everyone to make sure the cans are outside.
Good House staff will inspect each home each week and provide a report card.
PROPERTY DAMAGE: If you intentionally damage the house, you will pay for the damage. If the damage amounts to over $100 in repairs, you will be billed the excess amount with the following month’s program fees.
If you own a vehicle, it must be functioning and not in disrepair (leaking oil, smoking) and you must also have proof of license and insurance. Parking is first come first served. There is no assigned parking. If you damage someone’s car or someone else damage’s your car, it is your responsibility. We do not get involved. We do not allow junk cars that are not running anywhere on the property.
The house phone, computer and printer are to remain in the common area.
You must abide by all the rules of the house and all laws.
When you exit the house, you may not take house supplies, furniture, or anything that does not belong to you. We will follow up immediately if something is missing.
House meetings are mandatory. Signing in and out of the house is required.

25. You are required to follow your treatment plan with your health care team.

ANIMALS

We are not able to accommodate pets due to our communal nature and shared spaces.

PERSONAL POSSESSIONS

You are not allowed to possess guns, knives, or other weapons . Possession of these items will be cause for an exit. Staff may search the rooms for contraband at any time. Minimum 2 witnesses shall be present during any search.
Good House is not responsible for your personal property.
You must identify any personal property with value of greater than $50 to the intake team.
If you borrow and loan it is at your own risk. . Residents storing personal belongings in common areas store them at their own risk.
Stealing is cause for an exit. Taking someone’s medication is stealing. We will ask you to move out if you steal.
FOOD: Taking someone else’s food is stealing. You must ask about taking items in the refrigerator or food located elsewhere.We occasionally have food donations for the entire house.Please be sure you understand if something is community food or personal food.
PROPERTY STORAGE: Any property left behind after moving out or abandoning your unit should be removed as soon as you are able to make arrangements. Storage may be available for up to 45 days. We do not have the ability to store property for more than 45 days. Please make arrangements to have someone collect your items if you cannot do so. After 45 days items will be donated to local clothing ministries and Goodwill.

GUESTS / SECURITY

If you breach the safety of the house, or exit your residency, it will lead to a change in door codes.
If you give your entry code to someone else, or let someone in on your code, that is considered a breach of house safety and will be grounds for an exit.
Guests are NOT allowed. NO overnight guests are allowed under any conditions. NO persons under the age of 18 allowed anywhere on the property at any time, unless discussed with the managers and CPS has approved.
No individuals who do not reside in the house are allowed on the property. However, we allow family members to tour your house on move in or at a pre-arranged time.
Physical violence or threats of any kind will not be tolerated. Violence or threats by you or your approved guests will be cause for an immediate exit.

OTHER RESIDENTS

Do not ask other residents for money.
You are not allowed to ask other residents to sign paperwork for the courts or any other group.
If you have a conflict with anyone in the house, please ask the house leader, the peer mentor and the owners for support in helping to come to a resolution.
NEW RESIDENTS: We will not knowingly move someone into the house that has harmed you or provides stress to you. Please let us know if you have concerns about your safety or ability to live in a shared space with any of the residents based on prior history.

PRIVACY

Since some Residents are on Community Placement, the Department of Corrections will have full access to the premises.You must be polite to questions from DOC, whether you are on community placement or not.Telephone, in person or written DOC requests will be answered by any resident, honestly and with integrity. You should be polite to anyone who enters the home with a request for information.
Due to the fact that residents are in transition for various reasons, if we do not have a Release of Information, we will neither confirm nor deny that you live here.
Information about other residents and Good House must be kept confidential. It must be kept private No information about other residents or Good House may be shared on social media. If there ever is such a posting it is grounds for immediate Exit.

Policy: Paid work by residents. (From the National Alliance of Recovery Residences.)

Policy and procedures that ensure the following conditions are met if the residence provider employs, contracts with or enters into a paid work agreement with residents: • Paid work arrangements are completely voluntary. • Residents do not suffer consequences for declining work. • Residents who accept paid work are not treated more favorably than residents who do not • All qualified residents are given equal opportunity for available work. • Paid work for the operator or staff does not impair participating residents’ progress towards their recovery goals. • Paid work is treated the same as any other employment situation. • Wages are commensurate with marketplace value and at least minimum wage. • The arrangements are viewed by a majority of the residents as fair. • Paid work does not confer special privileges on residents doing the work. • Work relationships do not negatively affect the recovery environment or morale of the home. • Unsatisfactory work relationships are terminated without recriminations that can impair recovery.

Grievance policy: If you have any problems with your house, please contact your house manager, peer support or founders. For immediate service, please contact Sim Guth, 206-480-8084.

COVID/CONTAGIOUS DISEASE POLICY: We follow state and CDC guidelines for safety in the house and quarantine procedures.

YOUR RIGHTS AS AN GOOD HOUSE RESIDENT

RESIDENT RECORDS POLICY: Any information shared with GOOD HOUSE will be kept confidential under HIPAA standards. Electronic records are stored in the Sobriety Hub system. Paper records, whether stored with the house manager in their private room, or at the administrative offices, are stored in locked file drawers behind a locked door. Access is limited to the house manager, recovery director, and administrators.

You are part of a community of people living in recovery and new beginnings. Your sense of justice is important and we want you to feel that you are experiencing equal and fair treatment. If you feel that you are experiencing abuse by a fellow resident you MUST communicate this to the House Lead. Forms for formal complaints are available in the communication center of the house. Your house lead will address your grievance with you within 24 hours. If this does not happen, or if the situation is urgent and the House Lead is not available, please reach out to Good House administrators, Sim Guth at 206-480-8084.

Remember that a formal grievance is indicated by the breaking of GOOD HOUSE Policy, WAQRR or NARR standards, or violation of city, state or federal law.

If you believe that GOOD HOUSE is violating your rights under WAQRR or NARR Standards, please feel free to contact WAQRR directly at 253-293-5208.

It is our sincere hope that smaller problems can be dealt with during scheduled house meetings or with a conversation with the offender and House Lead. Developing social skills for positive relational outcomes is the goal. Your success and sense of well-being is important to us.

CAUSES FOR EXIT

REASONS FOR TERMINATION OF RESIDENCY

Please initial each term below

Immediate termination of residency may result from any of the following behaviors:

Possession of guns, knives, other weapons. ____________
Physical violence or threats of any kind. This includes threats made by your approved guests. ___________
Breaching the safety of the house, including giving your entry code to someone else or letting them in on your code. ___________
Use or possession of alcohol, drugs, medications not prescribed to you, or drug paraphernalia. ____________
Failure to report use of drugs or alcohol to the Good House team. _________________
Dealing drugs on or off the property. ____________
Abuse of over the counter or prescription medications. ___________
Possession of stolen goods or any theft. _____________
Non-residents on the property. Family may be allowed to visit with 24-hours notice. ________________
Violation of curfew. _____________
Violation of house rules. ______________
Having a messy room or food in your room 2 times. _____________
Stuffing anything down the toilet except toilet paper. _______________
Damaging the house intentionally. _____________________________
Soliciting money from other residents. ____________________________
Social Media posting related to good house or other residents________________

CLIENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I agree to always comply with the house rules and expectations. ____________________

I understand that I must follow through with Drug Court requirements, and expectations communicated by Good House and Drug Court staff. ____________________

I understand that cooperation and kindness are key values and will do my best to support the residents in the house. _____________________

I will immediately report mine or any resident’s use of alcohol or drugs to the Peer Mentor and Sim Guth. Failure to report will be cause for termination of residency. _____________

I have identified any personal property with value of greater than $50 to the intake team. I understand that Good House is not responsible for my personal property. __________

I understand that if I have a conflict with anyone that the house leader, the peer mentor, and the owners will help come to a resolution. We will work together as a team to resolve any conflict. _________________________

By signing this agreement, you understand that when you breach the safety of the house, or exit your residency, it will lead to a change in door codes. If you give your entry code to someone else, or let someone in on your code, that is considered a breach of house safety and will be grounds for an exit.

Room charge is $700 per month. You may be covered by an agency.

Signed and understood ______________________________

Printed Name _______________________________________

Date ____________________________________

SPECIFIC TO WASHINGTON STATE – EACH STATE HAS THEIR OWN CODE

RCW 59.18.550 Drug and alcohol-free housing—Program of recovery—Terms—Application of chapter governs the terms of this agreement.