A copy of the current Association Rules & Regulations, as adopted by the Board of Directors on January 12, 2023, can be downloaded here.

You can also read them below:

THE CHATEAU THIERRY

CONDOMINIUM

Rules & Regulations

(Drafted: May 22, 1995)

(Revised: September, 2023)

I. Residential Purpose

The purpose of this condominium is intended for, but not restricted to, residential living by its inhabitants. The acquisition, rental, or occupancy of a unit or the use of any part of the condominium by any person shall constitute his/her agreement to be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Condominium Instruments and the Rules & Regulations put forth here, and such provisions shall be deemed to be enforceable by the Board of Directors on behalf of the Association.

II. Building Emergencies

The New Washington Land Company currently manages The Chateau Thierry Condominium. Should you need help with problems relating to the building, TNWLC's office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The phone number is (202) 483-8282. When calling, ask for the property manager

This number is also operational after regular business hours for emergency service, though a voicemail may also be left after-hours for urgent requests that do not constitute emergencies.

For more non-emergency or general service requests, unit owners may submit a ticket through the online portal, newwashingtonlandco.managebuilding.com. Those who do not have access to the online portal may submit general service requests at chateauthierry.org/report-issue.

Examples of emergencies include: major leaks or other threats to property, both elevators out of service, building alarms.

Examples of non-emergencies include: one elevator out of service, laundry machines out of service (contact service contractor posted by machines), questions about cable or telephone service, street closures, lost keys/locked out (call locksmith), trash collection issues.

Ill. Security

Residents should not let any strangers in behind them when entering or exiting the building. Any strangers caught loitering on the premises should be first reported to the police and then management.

Doors should not be left propped open and unattended at any time. When moving large items through doors, the door should remain attended, and should only be propped as long as necessary to move the item.

The telephone entry system should only be used to admit people or deliveries that you are expecting for your unit. If you are not expecting a specific delivery or otherwise can’t be sure that a request for entry is legitimate, ask who the delivery is for. (If they don’t have your name, do not admit them.) Remember that UPS and other carriers do not generally work at night.

IV. Moving/Leasing

         1. A move-in/out must be scheduled with the Association's managing agent no less than five business days in advance of the actual moving day. Generally, only one move will be scheduled per day.

         2. Move-in/outs are permitted only Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., or by special permission from the Board of Directors.

         3. Move-in/outs are to be performed by using the freight elevator only. Please re-secure all doors when the move is completed, and do not leave doors propped open and unattended at any time.

         4. A move-in fee in the amount of $400.00 is due upon each change in tenancy. The cost of repair for any significant damages (as determined solely by the Board of Directors) to common property as a result of a move shall be the responsibility of the owner.

       5. Prior to moving into the building, the following requirements must be met:

       A. Upon the sale or lease of a unit, or any change in occupancy, it is the responsibility of the owner of the unit to file a copy of the settlement statement, deed, lease, or appropriate affidavit with the Association's managing agent.

       B. If renting, please fill out the attached Resident Information Form (Attachment 'A'), or the Resident information webform on the Association’s website, chateauthierry.org.

         6. The Bylaws provide for a minimum lease period of six months on all agreements between owners and their tenants. A fully conformed copy of a lease must be provided to management within seven days after execution.  Short-term lodging for compensation for 31 to 180 days (e.g. AirBNB, VRBO, or other “hoteling” sites) are considered leases of less than six months and are strictly prohibited by the Bylaws.  In addition, short-term lodging for compensation for 30 days or less is strictly prohibited hotel or transient use under the Bylaws.  Violations of this provision will be turned over to an attorney for the association, and any associated costs will be charged to the unit owner.

The Board of Directors requires that every lease agreement for a unit shall contain:

         (1) a provision obligating the tenant to comply with the Bylaws for the Condominium Association and these Rules & Regulations;

         (2) a provision empowering the Board of Directors to terminate such lease agreement or to bring summary proceedings to evict the tenant in the name of the lessor thereunder in the event of a violation of any provision of the lease agreement; and

         (3) any other provisions which the Board of Directors deems necessary to ensure the enforcement of the Bylaws and Rules & Regulations.

         7. Unscheduled Moves. Moves that are not properly scheduled with management cause problems for the Association and our residents. In particular, unscheduled moves may tie up elevators or disrupt the moving process for those who have properly scheduled a move, and residents who attempt to move anonymously may damage common property, leave bulk waste, or cause security or other hazards, all of which should be attributable to the responsible party. Attempts to avoid the building move-in fee, as well as unregistered tenancies, harm the Association financially and make it impossible to contact current tenants, including in building emergencies. Except in extraordinary circumstances, the Board of Directors shall impose on any non-compliant unit owner the following fines, including cumulative daily fines while any ongoing violation persists:

(A)  $5 (per day) for failing to notify the Association of a change in tenancy;

(B)  $5 (per day) for failing to provide a copy of a lease agreement to management;

(C) $5 (per day) for failing to pay any applicable move-in fee;

(D) $5 (per day) for failing to schedule a move-in or a move-out on the date of any move;

(E)  a $150 administrative fee for any disposal of bulk items left behind by a tenant, plus the actual costs of such disposal (see section VIII, below), including in cases of unscheduled moves where the tenant’s role cannot be readily established but cannot be ruled out;

(F)  the costs of repair to common elements discovered at any time after an unscheduled move, unless it can be persuasively shown that such damage existed before the unscheduled move or otherwise could not have been caused by the unscheduled move.  

         8. All unauthorized rentals, including short-term “hoteling” rentals prohibited by the Bylaws, are each considered changes in tenancy, and shall be assessed the $400 move-in fee applicable to any other change in tenancy, in addition to other available remedies.

         9. A freight elevator key may be picked up from TNWLC’s office (1606 17th St NW), 9am-5pm on the scheduled move date or one business day prior. The freight elevator key allows manual control of the freight elevator (and its doors) during the move, and prevents others from calling the elevator, enabling a smoother, faster move. A key deposit (currently $250) must be made by check; the check will be returned or destroyed upon return of the key.

10. All rental units must be registered and licensed with the appropriate District authorities, as required by DC law. As of April 2023, this includes (1) the maintenance of a Basic Business License for the unit, from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection; (2) a Rental Accommodations Registration (with a rent control registration or exemption number) from the Department of Housing and Community Development. The Association shall impose daily fines on owners who operate unlicensed or unregistered rentals for as long as the violation persists. Owners shall provide their registration/license information to management at the start of any tenancy, or upon request. 

V. Pets

One common household pet may be kept in each apartment on the Condominium property. Any unit owner or guest who keeps or maintains any pet in the Condominium shall be responsible and may be assessed by the Board of Directors for any costs incurred by the Condominium in enforcing these Rules and Regulations and for the cost of repairing any damage caused by such pet to the common elements.  Pet owners should not curb their pets on the building’s landscaping.

VI. Exterminator Service

Once a month, the building provides for common area and apartment pest spraying. To have your apartment treated, contact management and they will provide you with a number to call and what needs to be prepared before treatment. If any evidence of roach infestation is found, repeated treatments are required until infestation is eliminated.

VII. Noise and Disturbances

         1. Unit owners, residents, and lessees shall exercise extreme care to avoid unnecessary noise or the use of musical instruments, radios, televisions, and amplifiers that may disturb other unit owners. All walking areas (except bathrooms and kitchens), and 85% of all wood floor areas in each apartment unit must be covered by carpet or rugs. No nuisance or use or practice which is a source of annoyance to the Condominium residents or which interferes with the peaceful possession or proper use of the Condominium by its residents shall be allowed in the Condominium.

         2. Excessive noise in general, and construction noise in particular, must be avoided between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

         3. Televisions, stereos, pianos, and organs should not be placed on common walls. Please keep volume at a respectful level at all times.

VIII. Trash Disposal/Recycling

1.    Solid, non-recyclable waste is to be placed in the cans on the rear stairwell decks. If you are not familiar with the areas described, contact management or ask a neighbor to show you. Do not leave large boxes, furniture, plants, appliances, etc. on the stairwell decks or hallways. Waste that does not fit in trash bags or the trash cans provided should be placed in the dumpster adjacent to the building in the alley, and large boxes should be broken down and placed in the recycling bins (toters) adjacent to the dumpster.

2.    Bulk item removal (for large furniture, appliances, and other items that do not fit easily in the dumpster) is not an included service in the Association’s trash collection.  Do not simply leave these items in the alley by the dumpster, or anywhere else on the premises.  Residents should make arrangements to sell, donate, or dispose of large items separately (e.g. by contacting Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, College Hunks Hauling Junk, etc.)  Items may also find a good home on the ‘free’ section of craigslist or other community lists.  Please note that the DC DPW (including service offered through DC 311) does not remove bulk trash from apartment buildings or condos with more than 3 units, such as ours.  Do not contact DPW/DC or rely on them to pick up bulk items from the building.  Any costs of the Association for disposal of bulk items will be charged back to the unit owner, including an administrative fee of $150.

3.    Two blue recycling containers are kept in each rear stairwell landing on every floor, labeled 'Recyclables only'. All items clarified on the list (see Attachment 'B') are to be placed in the circular bin, and paper and flattened cardboard in the rectangular bin. Please break down or flatten all cardboard boxes, and note that many packing materials/mailers are not recyclable through standard means. Styrofoam, plastic film and bubble wrap are not recyclable in our bins. See https://how2recycle.info/sdo for information on where to recycle these materials, if desired. Do not bag recyclables in plastic; leave them loose in the blue bins, or alternatively in paper bags. Recycling bins are emptied three times per week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Please rinse all recyclables to avoid attracting bugs and rats.

4.    It is each resident's responsibility to help keep the stairwell recycling area clean and bug-free. If, for example, you wish to dispose of trash or recyclables on a Sunday evening, and the bins or cans on your floor appear full, either try another floor or hold your recyclables until Monday, in order to not overcrowd the stairwell.

IX. Bicycle Storage

Bike room storage facilities exist behind the building; the bike room entrances are located outside on each end of the basement-level patio when exiting the rear stairwell. These two rooms are specifically allocated for bicycle storage. Ample room is available. If you wish to store your bike there, please contact management for a key. Bikes are not to be stored in the stairwells or other common areas as they are not allowed inside the building.

Bike rooms are for the storage of bicycles only, along with small bicycle-related gear (e.g. bike pumps, helmets). Other items found stored in the bike rooms may be removed by management without notice.

X. No Smoking Policy

No residents, guests, clients, patients, employees, etc. will be allowed to smoke in the following areas that constitute the common elements: lobby, hallways, stairwells, laundry areas, elevators, bike and/or other storage areas.

XI. Renovations, Improvements, and Maintenance

1. Owners are required to notify and obtain from the Board of Directors and management prior written consent for any major renovations/improvements that could possibly affect the building structure in any way or form. Please submit a description of any renovation or improvement plans to management. Please allow enough time for the Board of Directors to review your request; it may take up to 45 days to receive a response once a complete submission has been received. External fixtures added to the building, including antennae or satellite dishes, are expressly prohibited by the Association Bylaws.  Any violation of this provision is subject to a $5 per day fine.

2. Water. Water use is our single largest common association expense, and all residents are encouraged to be judicious in their personal water use to minimize our HOA fees.  Owners are required to keep their water and plumbing fixtures in good working order, and to promptly fix any leaks, dripping faucets, or running toilets. Tenants should immediately report any maintenance issues to their landlord (unit owner). If an issue appears to originate in another unit (e.g. a leak or the sound of continuously running water), it should immediately be reported to the unit owner (if possible) and to management.

3. Air Conditioners. Upgrades to HVAC systems should be done in a way that minimizes the noise of the units. Any improvements or upgrades must include noise-dampening anti-vibrational pads or similar noise-minimizing devices, and condenser units may not be directly attached to the balcony sheet metal.  Excessively noisy condenser units may be considered a nuisance (see also Section VII, above).

4. Inspections. At least once per year a self-inspection should be performed by a resident of each unit. If no one lives in the unit, the owner or owner’s agent shall complete the self-inspection. A self-inspection form shall be available on the association website, and email reminders will be sent for the annual inspection. The board and management shall arrange for the manual inspection of any unit that does not complete a self-inspection form.

5. Vacancies. In the event of a prolonged vacancy in a unit (generally a week or more) a unit key must be available on-site (e.g. in a lockbox) or with an available local representative, in case of maintenance emergency. To prevent costly flooding disasters or undetected water leaks, any unit that will be vacant for a significant period of time and is not being actively shown to possible buyers or tenants should have its water and water heater shut off.

XII. Use of Common Areas

1. Balconies: are used for trash disposal only. District law prohibits the use of barbecues, any gas cooking, etc. on building balconies.

2. Washing Machines/Dryers: are provided in the stairwells for resident use only. To minimize water use, please wash full loads of laundry whenever possible. Washing machines are not for public (non-resident) use. If a machine goes out of order, please report it to the repair contractor whose phone number is posted at each machine location.  Do not call the emergency service line for washers/dryers that are out of service. 

3. Parking Spaces: are not available to residents. Parking spaces are privately owned and vehicles are subject to towing.

4. Soliciting: Unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors, no soliciting is permitted in the condominium and notices for such activities may not be placed on the walls, left under doors, placed in mailboxes, etc. A bulletin board for legitimate announcements is placed near the front entry and will be regularly monitored. No "for sale or rent" signs are to be posted in windows or in front of the building.

5. Car Washing: Car washing is strictly prohibited on or near the common

alley or parking areas. No outside water is to be used for this purpose.

6. Lockboxes: Any owner, realtor, or resident lockboxes should be placed on the railing on the rear of the building, and all lockboxes should be reported to the management company. Lockboxes should be labeled with a contact telephone number or alternatively, a registration number on file with management.  Unlabeled lockboxes, or lockboxes attached to the front railing, may be removed by management without notice.

7. Storage: No common areas (including stairwells, hallways, balconies, and the lobby) are to be used for the storage of personal property, including bicycles, scooters, furniture, appliances, packages, shoes, or any other items. Bicycles (and only bicycles) should be stored in the bike rooms (see Section IX). Items kept in common areas may be considered abandoned and removed without notice. The Board or management will not remove laundry detergent kept in an orderly fashion by the laundry machines.

8. Packages: Packages are generally left in the lobby by USPS or other carriers, though sometimes they are left outside the front door. Residents are encouraged to bring packages inside, and to ensure that packages are out of view from the street (i.e. along the wall under the window). Although the lobby requires key card access, and is subject to surveillance, package thieves do sometimes gain access (e.g. by following a resident in).

Residents should treat the lobby as if it were a front porch, and not leave packages there any longer than necessary. Packages left for extended periods increase the risk of thefts for everyone, as a large pile of packages is a more attractive target for would-be thieves. If you are receiving a package while out of town, you could ask a neighbor to look after it. You can also request that USPS hold packages while you are away. If you notice a package for a neighbor who lives on your floor, you can do them a favor (and help clear the lobby) by bringing it to their door on your way up.

All the major delivery services offer delivery notifications by text message & email, and there are other options for secure package delivery, holding, or rerouting if you are having expensive items delivered or are not able to retrieve your packages promptly.  FedEx partners with Walgreens (a block away) to hold deliveries, UPS MyChoice allows rescheduling and has numerous access points in the area that can store deliveries, Amazon has lockers; and USPS also offers temporary mail holding options.

XIII. Collection Policy

An administrative charge of $25.00 will be assessed against a unit's account if an assessment is not received by the fifteenth day of the month in which it is due.

Collection/Notification Schedule

-1st day of the month

Assessment due and payable in advance. Owners will be informed of the amount of their assessments at the beginning of each fiscal year. No monthly reminders will be sent.

-10th day of the month

Interest on unpaid amounts begins to be charged at a rate of 10% per annum.

-15th day of the month (or next working day if the 15th day falls on a weekend or holiday)

If payment is not received by the 15th day of the month, the administrative charge is assessed. A late notice will be sent to each delinquent owner.

-15th day of the following month (or next working day if the 15th day falls on a weekend or holiday)

If payment is not received by the 15th day of the following month, a late charge is assessed. A late notice will be sent to each delinquent owner.

-by the end of the second month

If full payment (including administrative and late charges, collectively “administrative charge”) is not received by the end of the second month, a final notice will be sent to the delinquent owner. This notice will be sent by certified mail. This notice will include a $25.00 processing fee. This will be the last notice before legal action.

-after 7 working days

If all monies owed are not received by 7 working days from the final notice, the matter will be turned over to the Association's attorney for legal action. A delinquent owner is liable for all legal and collection costs.

Additional Policy Provisions:

-       Payments will be applied first against the owner's oldest obligation. Owners may not designate payments otherwise. Payments accompanied by endorsement restrictions may be returned to the owner.

-       The administrative charge for a late payment will be waived in the following circumstances:

●       a new owner's first full assessment;

●       if the payment envelope is postmarked no later than one day prior to the due date;

●       the first time after an increase in the regular assessment, if an owner is current and pays the assessment at the old rate;

●       if the owner's previous 6 monthly payments were on time;

●       if the remaining balance of the monthly assessment is within 25% of the monthly amount due.

It will be the responsibility of the owner to inform the Association if the administrative charge assessed to his/her unit can be waived because of any of the above reasons. The owner must do so within 30 days after the administrative charge is assessed, by informing the Association in writing.

-       If an administrative charge cannot be waived because it does not fall within the above-stated parameters, an owner may appeal an administrative charge if he/she desires, by writing to the Board of Directors, in care of the managing agent, within 30 days after the administrative charge is assessed, indicating the basis for the appeal. This appeal will be reviewed by the Board of Directors at its next meeting, provided that all other payments due by the owner have been paid.

-       When a check representing any payment due by the unit owner is returned by the bank unpaid, any applicable bank fees and administrative costs  will be assessed to the unit ($35 as of June 2022, and subject to change).

-      No failure by the Board of Directors or Managing Agent to enforce this policy will be deemed a waiver of the policy, nor affect the enforceability of the policy in the future.

-      This policy may be changed, amended, or modified at any time by action of the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Association's Governing Documents.

-       All remedies set forth above shall not be deemed exhaustive.  The Association reserves the right to exercise any and all legal remedies available under the Association's governing documents and applicable law.