Renter Code of Conduct

In addition to the code of conduct below, Happipad renters are responsible for upholding and abiding by municipal, provincial and federal laws, and all municipal bylaws of their area.

First and foremost, treat each other with kindness and respect

“Clear is kind.”  (Brené Brown)

• Treat your host(s) and their visitor(s) with dignity, free from intimidation or harassment
• Conduct yourself in such a manner as to ensure your Happipad host’s well-being and peaceful enjoyment of their home
• Keep in mind the needs of others in the home at all times and be considerate in your use of common space, facilities or equipment
• Respect the host’s standard of cleanliness and maintain this standard
• Ensure you keep noise at a level that does not have a significant impact on the other person(s) in the household
• Foster comfort for others in the household and a welcoming environment for visitors

Be trustworthy and create a sense of safety and security

“When someone trusts you, gift them your trustworthiness.” (Drishti Bablani)

Personal safety and security of property: 

• No loaning or duplication of keys, fobs or swipe cards
• Do not attempt to gain entry to any unauthorized areas of the premises
• Ensure your behaviour is free of disruptive, threatening, or harmful speech, gestures, actions and/or unwanted sexual contact
• Do not possess weapons or any other objects that can cause alarm
• No using and/or selling of the host’s possessions or removing of property from the host’s premises without the host’s express permission

Fire safety:

• Make sure you are aware of all safe escape routes from the home and where you will meet the host(s) outside in the event of an emergency
• Do not overload electrical outlets
• If the host has given express permission, ensure the safe use of candles, incense or other objects which could cause a fire

Fulfil your obligations and take responsibility for your actions

“Eventually we all have to accept full and total responsibility for our actions, everything we have done, and have not done.” (Hubert Selby Jr.)

• Make sure you pay your rent on-time
• Honour the commitments you make to others in the household
• Manage your own physical and mental health to mitigate negative impact(s) for others
• Rooms, common spaces, telephones, and internet connections are not to be used for commercial purposes
• Make no alterations to the structure of the home (e.g. painting a wall, installing a shelf, etc.) without the host’s express consent
• Unacceptable behaviour is any behavior which is inconsistent with the principles outlined in this document and/or behaviour which is in violation of the host’s house rules

Engage in open, honest communication and act with good character and strong principles

“Say what you mean, mean what you say, and do what you say you will do.” (Barbara Coloroso)

• Be open and straightforward in all communication with your host(s) and/or others in the household
• Ensure you are clear about what is okay and what is not okay with your host
• Promptly and respectfully advise the host and/or others in the home if you feel uncomfortable about a situation in the home
• Do not falsely represent the host(s) e.g. to contractors, home maintenance workers, and/or delivery persons

Cooperate with others in creating an enjoyable shared living experience

“This life is for loving, sharing, learning, smiling, caring, forgiving, laughing, hugging, helping, dancing, wondering, healing, and even more loving.” (Steve Maraboli)

• Learn about your host’s hobbies and interests
• Explore interests you may wish to share with your host and/or others in the household; for example, watching a TV show, go shopping or enjoying a shared outing, playing a board/card game, sharing cooking and/or eating a meal together

*All of the above expectations for a renter’s behaviour apply to the renter’s visitor(s) as well.  Renters are responsible for ensuring that their visitors are aware of and abide by the house rules and the guest’s responsibilities (and strata bylaws, if applicable) and that they do not engage in any behaviour that may result in harm to themselves, others and/or to the host’s premises.  Thus, guests are encouraged to take care in deciding who they will ask to visit the host’s premises.