Introduction:
A condominium is a community where people of diverse ages and backgrounds live in close proximity to one another, sharing the common elements of the building that is their home.  In publishing the Rules Handbook it is the sincere intention of the Board of Directors that The Vaux be a true community of neighbors who know, like, and respect each other.

 

It is the Board's responsibility to adopt Rules and Regulations to cover more specifically what constitutes the conduct of good neighbors  (Bylaws 7.21).   The Rules linked here are written informally for easy reference, and do not substitute for the governing documents of The Vaux Condominiums or any policies established by the Owners' Association Board.

 

 The Vaux Rules Handbook

 

In many important respects, living in a condominium is different from living in a detached house, an apartment, or a dormitory.  Condominium living places restrictions on a resident's activities — such as the volume of noise tolerable from a stereo, or the kind of pet one may own — that are either not an issue or not enforceable in a neighborhood of private homes.  Moreover, owners have a social and monetary interest in the upkeep of the building, which they own in common.  

 

At The Vaux, it is the Board's responsibility to insure that the property be kept in the finest condition possible to preserve the value of your investment.

 

In purchasing at The Vaux, we all agree to abide by the incorporating Declaration of the Vaux Condominiums, the Bylaws of the Vaux Condominiums Owners' Association, and by implication, the House Rules.  The maintenance of the value and the livability of our condominiums require the interested participation of all members of the Association in the quality of life offered here, both as a community in which we participate and as a property that we maintain.

 

The following discussion summarizes many —but not all — of our most important obligations ...

 

Conduct:
Residents of The Vaux are expected to behave well at all times, in willing compliance with Section 7.8 of our Bylaws:  

• "Owners and other occupants shall not engage in any abusive or harassing behavior, either verbal or physical, or any form of intimidation or aggression directed at other Owners, occupants, guests, or invitees, or directed at the manager, its agents or employees, or vendors."

 

 

Security:
Everyone living here should be as aware and forceful in protecting our security as if The Vaux were a private residence.  It is difficult to deny building access to people that appear to have a reason to enter, but homeowners and tenants must be assertive in this regard.  Otherwise, there is effectively no security in the building beyond the lock on your door.

• "Do not admit any persons unknown to you into the building at any time, for any reason, no matter how nice they look or how reasonable their explanation.  If they have a legitimate reason to be in the building, they will be able to reach the party they are visiting from the front door phone.   If the party they are visiting is not home, then they have no reason to be in the building; so there is never a good reason for giving a stranger access to the lobby."
  — (Vaux Rules Handbook, page 4)
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• If you feel emnbarrassed to confront a stranger, just say, "I'm sorry, I don't recognize you."
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• Tell your guests not to expect to enter the building without using the security systems and ask them not to expect other people entering the building to let them in.
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• Vehicles entering and exiting the garage should wait in view of the gate to insure that it closes behind them.
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• On foot, be sure that all exterior doors close properly behind you when going in or out.
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• Immediately report all suspicious activity to the Portland Police —  
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  • For non-emergency Police calls — 503 823 3333
  • In a real emergency only — Dial 911

 

Required Information:
All owners, including absentee owners, must maintain on file with the Property Management Company (CMI) a completed copy of the Owner and Tenant Information Form, and any changes affecting the accuracy of the information must be reported to CMI.

• If you rent or lease your unit, please be sure to notify CMI of your tenant's name, move-in date, automobile description, and valid contact information each time there is a change of tenants.
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• Guests are guests for two weeks only.  After that they become occupants, and owners must then notify CMI of their name(s), move-in date, automobile description, and valid contact information, just as if they were tenants.

 

Occupancy:
No more than six persons may live in a Primary Unit on a permanent basis  (Bylaws 7.2)

 

Moving In & Moving Out:
Moving on to a new home is a way of life in America at large, and at The Vaux in particular, where ex-owners depart and new owners arrive on a regular basis. Every episode is a disruption of daily life that requires the assistance of guards and staff, so moves must be scheduled well in advance.

• Prior to your move, contact our property manager (CMI) 14 days in advance to arrange a date & time ...
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  • Community Management, Inc. — 503 223 0300
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• Moving hours are 8AM to 5PM daily.
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• The fee for moving in or out is $200, payable to CMI 14 days in advance of the move.
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• Only a single move is allowed per day to insure one elevator is always available for residents' use.
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• There is no charge for single-item moves — couches, bureaus, etc. — but be sure to contact CMI so protective pads can be installed in the elevators.
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• At the end of the move all resulting debris must be removed and properly disposed.

 

No Smoking:
Smoking is permitted inside one's unit, but absolutely nowhere else on Vaux property.   This prohibition covers all common areas, including the courtyard, garage, lobbies, elevators, hallways, stairwells, decks, balconies, porches, and terraces  (Bylaws 7.24).

• Residents who violate this rule, or who allow guests to violate this rule, are subject to fines.

 

Children:
Children are welcome at the Vaux.  However, for safety reasons they must be under adult supervision at all times while in common areas.

• Children are not allowed to play in our water features or courtyard landscaping.

 

Pets:
No animals or fowl shall be raised, kept, or permitted to reside within the Condominiums, except domestic dogs, cats, or other household pets  (Bylaws 7.15).

• When in common areas, all pets shall be leashed and attended at all times.  
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• Each person bringing or keeping a pet in the buildings shall be liable to the other Owners, their family members, guests, or tenants for any damage to persons or property caused by the pet.  
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• Owners must be able to keep their pets from jumping up on other people while in the common areas of the building.  
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• Owners must keep their pets out of the water features and landscaping in the courtyard.  
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• Pet owners are urged to take their animals away from the buildings and the nearby greenery to relieve themselves.  Care of the trees and plants on and adjacent to The Vaux property is the the Association's responsibility, and, per city ordinance, the Association must replace them if they die.  
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• Owners are reminded that Portland has a "poop scoop" law, and that all waste must be removed.

 

Common Areas:
Maintenance, repairs, and replacements to the common elements will generally be made by the Association and charged to all Owners as a common expense.  However, if such maintenance, repairs, and replacements are necessitated by the acts or omissions of an Owner or their tenant, the Owner responsible will be charged.

• In order to maintain a uniform appearance in common areas, to avoid obstructions to hallway cleaning, and to avoid damage to unit doors (which are common elements of the buildings), no permanent or seasonal decorations or ornaments of any kind are permitted on the exterior of the units, either attached to the door, floor, balcony, deck, or patio.  
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• Floor mats are not permitted, except for temporary situations to protect the hall carpet from construction dust.  
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• No furniture, packages or objects of any kind shall be stored in the lobbies, vestibules, hallways, stairwells, garage, or any other part of the common elements other than those designated as storage areas.  (Packages placed in the lobby for mailing purposes are excluded.)  
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• The lobbies, hallways, and stairwells shall be used only for normal passage.  
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• The Association assumes no liability for any loss or damage to articles stored in any common element or other storage area.

 

Renting:
Leasing or renting units is allowed, but only under tight restrictions.  (Bylaws 7.1).   For details, follow this link ...

 

 Restrictions – Rentals

 

Architectural Review:
Structural changes to Vaux units all require approval  (Bylaws 7.2).   Find out more here ...

 

 Restrictions – Alterations & Additions

 

Recycling:
What refuse materials can safely be recycled and what must be thrown away? This tricky question is discussed here ...

 

 Recycling Guidelines