Resident Handbook - Como Student Community Co-op

Welcome To Como Student Community Cooperative

This resident handbook is here to help you navigate life at the Como Student Community Cooperative. Inside, you’ll find information about the amenities available to you, your responsibilities as a resident stockholder, and other essential topics to support your day-to-day experience at CSCC.

The handbook reflects policies set by the CSCC Board of Directors and is updated online whenever policies are revised or added.

CSCC thrives because of the involvement and generosity of its residents—past and present—who give their time to support this community. I encourage you to get involved, whether by joining one of our committees (outlined in the “Governance Structure and Volunteer Opportunities” section) or simply by being an engaged neighbor. Say hello to someone at the playground, introduce yourself at the basketball court, or check in on the people living next door. These small connections build the strong sense of community that defines CSCC, and often lead to lasting friendships.

On behalf of the staff, welcome to the Como Student Community Cooperative. We’re glad you’re here.

Yeng Lee
Chief Executive Officer

Resident Responsibility for CSCC Communications

The primary way management communicates with residents is through email. Management will inform residents about things like parking lot closures, hygiene inspections, and rent increases, by sending emails to residents’ registered email addresses. It is of the utmost importance that you read and understand the content of these emails, since you are responsible for acting in accordance with them.

CSCC also publishes a monthly newsletter, The Spirit, as a courtesy to keep residents informed about what is happening at CSCC. In this newsletter, you can find announcements, information about upcoming events, and minutes from the latest Board of Directors meeting.

You are responsible for reading and understanding the content of all CSCC communications, including The Spirit. If you receive a fine due to a failure to read an official communication, that fine will not be waived unless management did not send it to your registered email address. If you believe you are not receiving some or all CSCC communications, please contact the office.

Living Space

Your Apartment

Your apartment consists of a living room, a kitchen, a dining area, a bathroom, and two or three bedrooms. In the garden- and ground-level two-bedroom apartments, all these rooms are on the same level. In two- and three-bedroom townhomes, the bedrooms and bathroom are upstairs.

Kitchen

CSCC sinks do not have garbage disposals. Residents should use the provided strainer to stop food debris from going down the drain. In addition, residents must not let fat, oil, or grease go down the drain. Liquid oils and fats can solidify and cause clogs in the plumbing. Residents will be held financially liable for clogs they cause by washing anything but water down the drain.

Residents should be aware of fire hazards in their kitchens. For example, using aluminum foil to line stove top burners is not permitted, as foil can melt and become a fire hazard. It is also good practice to remove grease from stoves, counters, cabinets, and floors regularly, since oil is also a fire hazard.

Bathroom

Residents are responsible for keeping their bathrooms clean. Use a bath mat to stop water from getting on the floor and use a shower curtain, sealed properly inside the tub, to stop water from splashing onto the walls and floor. Wipe away standing water immediately and run the bathroom fan for 20 minutes after taking a shower to draw away moisture. These precautions prevent the spread of mold.

Residents should also use the provided hair catcher when taking a shower or bath. Hair clogs are the most common cause of slow drains. This hair catcher will also stop other items, such as small washcloths or toys, from going down the drain. If you notice your tub is draining slowly, do not use chemicals like Drano or Mister Plumber to try to clear the clog on your own. Instead, put in a maintenance request right away, before the clog worsens, so maintenance can fix it.

Do not flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Everything else (hair, food, feminine products, dental floss, condoms, kitty litter, grease, gum, etc.) should be thrown away in the trash. Never flush wipes of any kind, even if the package says they are flushable. Doing so can damage the plumbing, and residents will be held financially responsible.

No plumbing alterations are allowed under the CSCC Lease Agreement. This includes self-installing a bidet. If residents are interested in having a bidet installed for them, they can contact the office. Residents who are found to have made plumbing alterations will be fined $250.

Heating

CSCC uses a boiler and radiant baseboard heating system to heat your apartment. The boiler ignites when the temperature outside drops below 55°F. This means that, in the spring and fall, the boiler may not be running all day. However, in the winter, the boiler will run night and day to meet demand for heat. The boiler delivers heat to your apartment via baseboard radiators. The entire length of the radiator will not be warm to the touch; only the portions of the radiator that are directly below the windows emit heat. Because of this, you should avoid placing furniture in front of your windows, as this will block the flow of heat to your apartment.

Residents can control the temperature of their apartment using the thermostat that is located in their living room and in the largest bedroom of two- and three-bedroom townhomes. Setting the thermostat to a higher number asks for more heat, and setting the thermostat to a lower number asks for less heat. This heating system can take time to respond, so residents should keep in mind that it might take a while for the apartment to warm up if windows were open during the day.

Windows

Residents should be aware that the windows in their apartments can be a safety hazard for children. The windows are screened to prevent insects from flying into the apartment, but if a child leans against or pushes on a window screen, he or she could fall through. Residents can prevent such accidents from happening by not placing furniture onto which a child could climb (sofas, chairs, beds, etc.) directly in front of a window.

Outlets and Ports

In the living room, there is an ethernet port for the University of Minnesota internet and a cable wall outlet. In the dining area, there is a landline telephone jack.

Painting

Residents are allowed to paint their apartment walls if they restore them to the original color, at their own expense, before vacating. Residents are not allowed to paint the ceiling, cupboards, woodwork, window sills, or fire suppression system deco shields.

Apartment Hygiene

Residents are responsible for keeping their apartments clean. This includes cleaning the kitchen regularly by washing dirty dishes, cleaning and disinfecting the countertops, wiping off the stove, taking out the garbage, and sweeping the floor. Doing so minimizes the likelihood of roaches, mice, and other pests. Residents should also clean their bathrooms regularly by cleaning the tub, tiles, and toilet, and run the fan after showering to prevent mold growth. Regular vacuuming is also encouraged, as it helps prevent damage to the carpet and contributes to the cleanliness of the apartment. Residents can rent a carpet cleaner from the office for a small fee.

Residents should be conservative when using a humidifier in their apartments. Residents might use a humidifier in winter, when the air is the driest; however, too-frequent use of a humidifier can lead to mold growth. Even running a humidifier every night would be too often for a CSCC apartment. Residents are responsible for preventing mold in their apartments.

Annual Apartment Hygiene Inspection

Management conducts an annual inspection of each apartment to ensure residents are maintaining their units in a condition that meets basic standards of cleanliness and hygiene. During these inspections, maintenance staff evaluate the cleanliness of the apartment, test drains and plumbing, and note the condition of the carpet, stairs, doors, and drawers. Management will notify residents via email if additional cleaning and reinspection are necessary. Repeated incidents of poor hygiene will result in lease termination.

Utilities

All utilities (electricity, heat, water, garbage, and internet) are included in the cost of rent. There is an energy surcharge for additional appliances like dishwashers and freezers that residents bring into their apartments. Please see the sections titled “Prohibited and Optional Appliances” and “Service Fees and Appliance Charges” for more information.

Renters Insurance

All CSCC residents are strongly encouraged to purchase renters insurance while they are living at CSCC. Renters insurance policies typically provide protection for personal belongings, liability claims, and living expenses when a unit is damaged. Residents are responsible for the cost of any damages they might cause to the apartment, whether through renters insurance coverage or from their own funds. CSCC is never responsible for the loss of or damage to a resident’s personal belongings.

Residents may obtain renters insurance through a provider of their choice, or they may purchase a policy directly through the resident portal from a third-party vendor.

Your Coreway

A coreway is the common space shared by five or six apartments that have the same address. The inner coreway needs to be kept clear at all times, by order of the Fire Marshal. This means no items can be stored in the coreway or left outside of apartment doors, including shoes. The only item allowed to be in the coreway is a doormat, if residents choose to use one. Residents will be assessed a $30 fine if items other than doormats are being stored in the inner coreway.

The mailbox is located on the lowest level of the coreway. You must post the name of all adults living in your apartment in the designated mailbox slot or the mail carrier will not deliver your mail. Please empty your mailbox on a weekly basis.

Above the mailbox, there is a bulletin board for CSCC-sponsored information only. Residents can find the coreway cleaning schedule on this bulletin board, as well as flyers for community events.

The coreway lights are designed to be energy efficient. This means that not all the lights will be illuminated during the daytime, but all lights will be illuminated at night.

The outer coreway is for storing bicycles and seasonal items only. These include, for example, sleds in the winter and lawn chairs in the summer. Residents who store seasonal items in the outer coreway must tag them with their apartment number. There is a vertical bike rack on one side of the outer coreway that residents can use to store bicycles. Priority is given to residents who use their bicycles for commuting and/or on a daily basis. Children’s bicycles should not be stored on the vertical bike racks. There are additional bike racks located outside the coreway. Residents who use these bike racks do so at their own risk and should secure their bicycles with U-Locks, since bike theft can occur. CSCC is not responsible for loss or theft of bicycles stored on the indoor and outdoor bike racks.

Quiet Hours

Residents must keep noise to a minimum between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. every day of the week, including weekends. Activities like playing loud music, slamming doors, walking with heavy footfalls, dragging furniture, cleaning the coreway, and playing on the stairs with toys that make noise should be restricted to daytime hours. Even during daytime hours, residents should be mindful that noisy activities can be disruptive to neighbors.

Residents of upstairs townhomes should be especially mindful that activities that do not seem particularly noisy to them can produce a lot of noise for downstairs neighbors. Sound travels easily from your apartment to theirs. For this reason, it is courteous to do loud activities in the upstairs rooms of your apartment. This will help lessen the impact of loud activities on your downstairs and next-door neighbors.

If you are experiencing disruptive noise from your neighbor’s apartment, please communicate with your neighbor directly. It is possible that they do not realize their actions are disruptive. If necessary, management can remind residents of the quiet hours policy, but situations like this are usually best resolved between neighbors.

Resolving Conflicts with Your Neighbors

Residents who have a dispute with a neighbor or management that they are unable to resolve on their own can contact the University of Minnesota Student Conflict and Resolution Center, which offers informal conflict resolution services for students. At the SCRC, residents can meet with an Ombud, who can help with identifying the nature of the conflict and finding strategies for resolving it. Residents can contact the Student Conflict and Resolution Center at sos@umn.edu or 612-624-7272.

Fire Safety

There is a fire suppression sprinkler system in every apartment and coreway. Do not inhibit this system by placing furniture in front of sprinkler heads or hanging anything (coats, decorations, etc.) from the sprinklers. There is also a smoke detector in every apartment. Do not tamper with your apartment’s smoke detector in any way. If the smoke detector starts beeping while you are cooking, you can fan it to encourage it to stop.

Smoke detectors are designed to start chirping when their batteries get low. If this happens, you should submit a maintenance request right away so maintenance staff can replace the batteries in your smoke detector. Residents are required to inform management if their smoke detectors need new batteries or are otherwise not functioning properly within 24 hours of discovering the problem (Minnesota Statutes 299F.362). During annual inspections, maintenance staff will check your smoke detector to ensure it is working properly.

Residents should familiarize themselves with the exits in their coreways. If the fire alarm starts to sound, you should leave your apartment immediately and call 911 once you are outside. In the event of a small fire, there is a fire extinguisher in each coreway for residents to use. Please submit a maintenance request if you use the fire extinguisher so it can be refilled.

Prohibited and Optional Appliances

Washers and Dryers

Residents are not allowed to have washing machines or dryers in their apartments, even if the machines are not being used. The penalty for being in possession of a washer or dryer is $250.

Large Kitchen Appliances

There is a stove and a refrigerator in every apartment at CSCC. If a resident desires to bring any additional large kitchen appliances into their apartment (e.g., an additional refrigerator or freezer, or a dishwasher), the resident must register this appliance with the office and pay the required fee. Residents can register their additional kitchen appliances by submitting the online Appliance Registration form. There is a $250 fine for having an unregistered kitchen appliance.

Air Conditioners

CSCC apartments have either one or two sleeves for air conditioners. Residents can choose to install their own air conditioner(s) for use during the summer season (April 1 to October 31). To do this, residents must first register their air conditioner(s) using the Air Conditioner Registration form. After completing this form, residents can remove the insulation from the wall sleeve(s) in their apartments and install their air conditioner(s). Residents should save this insulation so they can replace it in the air conditioner sleeve(s) at the end of the summer season. After registering their air conditioner(s), residents will be charged a monthly air conditioner fee. This fee will not be prorated, regardless of when a resident registers their air conditioner(s) or how much they use it.

Residents must register air conditioners before installing them for use. CSCC Management inspects building exteriors monthly to check for unregistered air conditioners. If a resident uses an unregistered air conditioner, they will be fined $50.

When a resident has finished using their air conditioner for the season, they should submit the Air Conditioner Cancellation form. Residents have until the close of business on the 5th day of the month to cancel their air conditioner and avoid being charged the air conditioner fee for that month. After cancelling their air conditioner registration, residents must immediately remove the air conditioner from the sleeve and replace the insulation to prevent heat loss. If a resident did not save the insulation bag that was inside their air conditioner sleeve, or if the sleeve did not have an insulation bag inside it, residents can obtain a replacement insulation bag at the office.

All CSCC residents must remove their air conditioners before November 1 or be charged a $25 fee.

Beginning in fall 2025, a permanent air conditioning unit will be installed in the living room air conditioner sleeve of every apartment at CSCC. The cost of this air conditioner will be included in the price of rent. However, if residents choose to install another air conditioner, they will be required to register that air conditioner and pay the additional monthly fee.

Vehicle and Parking Policies

CSCC is not responsible for resident vehicles, including stolen or damaged vehicles. Residents can take steps to prevent theft of or damage to their vehicle by locking car doors and not leaving any items, especially valuables, inside the car. Using a steering wheel lock or anti-theft device can also deter theft. Always report suspicious activity to the University of Minnesota Police Department and notify the CSCC office if safety concerns arise on the property.

Parking at CSCC

Residents are allowed to park up to two (2) vehicles per apartment in the CSCC parking lots. Residents must register their vehicle(s) by submitting the Vehicle Registration form, and they will be given a parking sticker for each registered vehicle. This sticker must be displayed in the rear window on the driver’s side of the car. If a vehicle’s parking sticker is incorrectly displayed, it is subject to tow at the owner’s expense.

There are five parking lots at CSCC. Residents may park in any CSCC parking lot. Because residents in multiple buildings use each parking lot, residents are not guaranteed to be able to park in the lot closest to their building. Parking spaces are not assigned to specific residents, with the exception of accessible parking spaces.

All vehicles that are parked in CSCC parking lots must be owned by a current resident and be in working condition. If residents of an apartment have more than two (2) vehicles, they must park the additional vehicle(s) off CSCC property.

A vehicle parked in a CSCC parking lot will be subject to towing and/or fine if the vehicle is:

Blocking (either partially or completely) an entrance, aisle, or fire lane
Parked illegally in a handicapped parking space
Parked in front of a garbage dumpster
Parked in a “no parking” area, as indicated by a “no parking” sign
Not parked within the lines of a parking space
Not displaying current license plates or tabs
Not in working condition (e.g., missing bumper or having flat tires or nonfunctional lights)
Not removed from the parking lot after instruction from management
Deemed dangerous by management (e.g., a fire hazard)

Accessible Parking

There is accessible parking in every CSCC parking lot. To park in these spaces, a vehicle needs to display a state-issued disability parking plate or placard. Unlawful use of accessible parking spaces, including parking in them without a permit for any period of time, carries a $100 fine, and the vehicle is subject to tow.

Prohibited Activities

Residents are not allowed to perform car repairs in CSCC parking lots that require the use of a jack or other tools for lifting vehicles.

Electrical plug-ins and block heaters are also not allowed at CSCC.

Visitor Parking Permit

Residents will be given one visitor parking permit per apartment at move-in. Guests should only use this parking permit when they are present on CSCC property. Between April 1 and October 31 of each year, visitors displaying the visitor parking permit are allowed to park in any CSCC parking lot. However, between November 1 and March 31, visitors are only allowed to park in Lot C and Lot D. During this period, any vehicle that is displaying a visitor parking permit and is parked in Lots A, B, or E will be relocated to Lot C or Lot D, and the apartment who provided the permit will be fined $250, plus a relocation fee.

Residents will be charged $10 if they need to order a replacement permit or do not return their permit to the office when they vacate.

Parking Lot Maintenance

Parking lots are plowed and swept at management’s discretion. If management decides to clear CSCC parking lots to plow snow or perform maintenance, they will notify residents by email that they must move their vehicles out of CSCC parking lots. Residents are responsible for reading these emails and complying with these instructions, as those who do not move their vehicles by the designated deadline will be fined $250, and vehicles that are still in the parking lot after the deadline may be towed at the owners’ expense.

Residents who leave their vehicle at CSCC for an extended period of time are encouraged to arrange with a neighbor who could move the vehicle should CSCC close a parking lot during their absence. In the winter, residents can park in designated “snowbird lanes,” or the parking spaces in the northernmost row of Lot C (off Hennepin Avenue) or the easternmost row of Lot D (off 29th Avenue SE), while they are away from CSCC or not using their vehicle. These rows are not plowed in the winter, so residents whose vehicles are parked in these spaces will not need to move them should management decide to plow the parking lot(s).

When a CSCC parking lot is cleared for snow removal, sweeping, or maintenance, CSCC visitor parking permits are voided for all CSCC parking lots.

City Street Parking

Residents who park on the street should be familiar with Minneapolis’s summer and winter parking policies and snow plow schedule. Residents are encouraged to sign up for snow emergency updates from the city during the winter months.

Operating Vehicles on CSCC Grounds

No motorized vehicles are allowed to be parked or operated on the interior of the complex. This includes fire lanes, sidewalks, and lawns. Electric scooters are also not allowed to be used on CSCC property or locked to any of the bike racks or signage at CSCC.

Residents who are moving in or out of CSCC can request an exception to this policy in order to operate a vehicle in the fire lane. Residents can check out a fire lane gate key from the CSCC office during regular office hours. Residents should place the fire lane sign they receive when they check out the key on the dashboard of their vehicle whenever it is parked in the fire lane. Residents are only allowed to drive in the fire lane, not on the sidewalk. Residents will be assessed a $50 fee if the dashboard sign or fire lane gate key are not returned after use, or if the fire lane gate lock is found to be missing.

Mopeds and Motorcycles

Mopeds and motorcycles are to be parked in CSCC parking lots. Residents are not allowed to park mopeds or motorcycles at a bike rack or outside a coreway. Like all other vehicles, mopeds and motorcycles must be registered with CSCC, have current tabs, and be in working condition.

Bicycles

There are multiple bike racks inside and outside each CSCC coreway. The vertical racks in the outer coreway are for adult bicycles only, with preference given to bicycles that are used for daily commuting. The bike racks outside are for children’s bikes and non-commuter bicycles. All bicycles should be locked tightly with a U-shaped lock. If your bicycle has quick-release hubs, you should also lock your wheels and seat post. Unlocked bicycles and bicycles that are locked with cables or chains are a target for theft.

Any bicycles that are stored inside coreways and on outdoor bike racks at CSCC are vulnerable to theft. If a resident wants to ensure their bicycle will not be damaged or stolen, they can keep it inside their apartment.

Occupancy Policies

Occupancy Limits

The maximum number of people who are allowed to reside in a two-bedroom CSCC apartment is four (4). Of those four people, only two (2) can be adults. The maximum number of people who are allowed to reside in a three-bedroom apartment is six (6), and only two (2) of these can be adults. If an individual graduate student is renting a three-bedroom apartment, the maximum occupancy is three (3) adults.

CSCC Guest Policy

Any guest or extended family member who is staying at CSCC for more than seven (7) days must register with the CSCC office within seven (7) days of their arrival. Any resident who fails to register a guest within this timeframe will be fined $100.

Extended Family Guests

Extended family members who are visiting CSCC residents may stay at CSCC indefinitely, as long as they are registered with the CSCC office and do not exceed the apartment’s occupancy limit. Long-term guests are not eligible for a parking permit during their stay.

Non-Family Member Guests

Guests who are not family members cannot stay at CSCC for more than 31 consecutive days, or for more than 31 days within any 180-day period. This limit applies to the entire apartment complex, which means that a guest cannot stay at CSCC for more than 31 days, regardless of which apartment they are staying in. Residents who house non-family guests for longer than 31 consecutive days or for more than 31 days in a 180-day period will be fined for an unauthorized sublease. Additionally, residents cannot charge guests for their stay, since this is considered an unauthorized sublease and will result in a fine. Guests are only allowed to stay at CSCC if the total number of people in an apartment does not exceed the maximum occupancy limit.

Conduct and Supervision of Guests

Residents are responsible for the conduct of every member of their household. This includes their children, their children’s guests, and their own guests. Failure to appropriately supervise children and/or guests is a violation of CSCC policy and is grounds for lease enforcement up to and including lease termination.

Subletting Apartments

Residents may sublet their entire apartment for a period of one (1) to six (6) months if they are going to return to CSCC at the end of that period. The subtenant must be an individual or family who has applied to CSCC and meets CSCC’s eligibility requirements. Once a resident secures an eligible subtenant, they must meet with management to complete the necessary paperwork. CSCC residents are limited to one sublet in a twelve (12) month period.

Subtenants are required to abide by all CSCC policies, including stockholders’ responsibilities, if the subletter is a CSCC stockholder. In the event that a subtenant does not clean the coreway, for example, the non-cleaning event counts as a strike against the subletter, and they could lose their stockholder status. Residents have the option of withdrawing their stockholder status while they are subletting their apartment. Subletters are ultimately responsible for the actions of their subtenant. Management will hold subletters responsible for any violations of their lease, even if committed by their subtenant.

Residents are not allowed to rent their apartment or room on a nightly, weekly, or other basis through AirBnB or similar enterprises. Unapproved subleases are subject to a $250 fine.

Transferring Apartments at CSCC

If a resident wants to move into a different CSCC apartment, they should submit the Transfer Request form on CSCC’s website. To be eligible for an apartment transfer, a resident needs to have lived at CSCC for at least twelve (12) months. They will also need to pay a transfer fee, which varies depending on the length of time a resident has been living at CSCC. The transfer fee for residents who have lived at CSCC for twelve (12) months is $450; it is $350 for residents who have lived at CSCC for eighteen (18) months; and it is $250 for residents who have lived at CSCC for at least two (2) years, or twenty-four (24) months. The minimum transfer fee is $250.

Residents are required to submit a 60-day notice to vacate for the apartment they are vacating and to pay to increase their security deposit to the required security deposit for the unit they are moving into. Residents should also be aware that they will pay rent on two apartments, both the unit they are moving into and the unit they are vacating, for at least two days as they move. Any hourly fees for additional cleaning or damages will be charged to the new apartment.

Apartment Keys and Lockouts

Residents are liable for all keys issued to them by management. If a resident does not return an apartment key when they move out, they will be charged a $250 lock change fee.

Requesting Additional Keys

Residents may request additional apartment keys. Each key costs $30 and must be returned to the office at the time of move-out.

Apartment Lockout

If a resident is locked out of their apartment, they can call the CSCC Maintenance Emergency line, 612-378-0219, and a staff member will come to unlock the door. When the staff member arrives, the resident will first be required to show a photo ID. The name on the resident’s ID must match the name on the lease.

The fee for this service depends on the day and time of the lockout. If a resident calls the Maintenance Emergency line during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), there will be a $10 charge for a staff member to come unlock their apartment. For calls after business hours, between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays, and between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekends, there is a $50 charge. For calls after 9:00 p.m. and before 8:30 a.m. every day of the week, there is a $75 charge. Once a resident has called the Maintenance Emergency line and a maintenance technician is enroute to unlock their apartment, lockout charges apply even if the situation is resolved without maintenance assistance.

Residents should be aware that, according to CSCC policy, CSCC staff will always lock the front door when they leave an apartment after performing scheduled maintenance or for entering for any reason, so residents should have their keys with them when they are not at home to prevent lockouts.

Management Entry Limitations

CSCC management has the right, as per the lease agreement, to inspect the general condition of all apartments and to enter at reasonable hours and after giving notice stating the time, date, and purpose of entry. Management respects the right to privacy and follows these limitations on entering residents’ apartments:

When management believes an emergency exists (e.g., smoke, water, an open window in winter, etc.), they have the right to enter the apartment.
When a resident submits a maintenance request, permission to enter is assumed unless the resident explicitly denies access.
When a University of Minnesota or CSCC project necessitates entry to an apartment, management will give twenty-four (24) hours notice.
After residents submit a notice to vacate, maintenance staff will enter the apartment to assess the work needed to turn over the apartment. Management may also enter the apartment to show it to prospective or incoming residents.

Management inspects all CSCC apartments twice per year, in the fall and in the spring. The fall inspection focuses on general apartment hygiene, and the spring inspection focuses on fire safety. Residents will be notified in advance of the date and approximate time of this inspection.

Roommate Policies

Requesting a Roommate

An individual student living at CSCC may share an apartment with whomever they choose. The new roommate does not have to meet CSCC’s academic eligibility requirements and can be either a student or a non-student.

Residents who wish to have a roommate must submit a roommate request to management for approval. Management reserves the right to deny a roommate request if that apartment has not been completely vacated in the past seven (7) years or requires renovation.

If management approves a roommate request, the new roommate will complete the standard application process by submitting an application through the CSCC website, paying the $50 application fee, and providing management a copy of their ID or passport and their Ucard, if they are a University of Minnesota student. Then both the resident and incoming roommate will sign a Lease Amendment: Roommate Addition Agreement, and pay an increase to the original security deposit directly to CSCC.

CSCC does not assign or assist in the placement of roommates.

Roommate Responsibilities

Each resident or roommate in a CSCC apartment is jointly and severally responsible for all obligations of the lease. This means that any one roommate or resident is responsible for all the rent due to CSCC, for the fulfillment of all stockholder responsibilities, for any damages done to the apartment, and to fulfill the terms of the lease

New Stockholder Orientation

To retain stockholder status, all roommates in an apartment must attend the New Stockholder Orientation. If a new roommate fails to attend one of the first two (2) orientation sessions offered after they move in, all roommates in that apartment will lose stockholder status.

Vacating Roommates

When a roommate decides to vacate CSCC, they must submit a 60-day notice to vacate and sign the Lease Amendment: Roommate Vacate Agreement form. All roommates remain responsible for the total apartment rent during that 60-day notice period.

Roommate Security Deposits

Management only refunds the security deposit for an apartment after all residents have vacated and the entire apartment is turned over. For this reason, when an individual roommate vacates an apartment, CSCC is not responsible for refunding the vacating roommate’s portion of the security deposit. It is up to the remaining, vacating, and/or incoming roommates to determine how the vacating roommate will receive their portion of the security deposit.

In addition, management will not conduct an inspection of the unit while it is still occupied or give estimates of charges that might be owed for damages to the apartment. Management will not determine if, or how much, residents owe in damages until the lease ends and all residents have vacated. It is therefore the responsibility of the roommates to assess the condition of the premises when one roommate vacates and a new roommate moves in and to work out amongst themselves their individual responsibility for contributing to the security deposit.

CSCC does not handle any financial disputes between roommates.

Roommates Restrictions and Fees

Individual students are not allowed to add a new roommate to their apartment if they are within twelve (12) months of finishing their work at the University of Minnesota. So, if a resident wants to add a new roommate to their apartment, they must first provide documentation from their advisor or equivalent University of Minnesota authority stating that they are not yet in their final twelve (12) months of work at the University of Minnesota.

A $50 fee will be charged to an apartment if there are more than two (2) roommate changes within a period of twelve (12) months.

Residential Life

Smoke Free CSCC

Smoking is not allowed at CSCC. The use of vapes, e-cigarettes, hookahs, and any form of tobacco is not permitted inside CSCC buildings and on CSCC grounds. “CSCC grounds” means anything within the public sidewalk that surrounds the perimeter of CSCC. This includes parking lots, playgrounds, laundry rooms, storage rooms, coreways, apartments and the Community Center. CSCC residents are responsible for ensuring their guests comply with this policy.

CSCC has been smoke free since the 1990s. The purpose of this policy is to protect residents from secondhand smoke. If you smoke tobacco, marijuana, or anything else, you must leave the complex to do so. The first time a resident or their guest violates this policy, they will be charged a $100 fine. A second offense results in a $250 fine. A third offense results in lease termination.

Those who practice smudging must notify the office and follow the the Smudging and Pipe Ceremony Guidelines for Family Student Housing.

Solicitation Policy

Soliciting, proselytizing, door-to-door selling, or asking for money for any reason is not permitted at CSCC. The only exceptions to this policy are candidates for the CSCC Board of Directors and volunteers who are canvassing on behalf of candidates running for public office. Residents and non-residents alike are required to comply with this policy.

Firearms Policy

The University of Minnesota’s Possession and Carry of Weapons policy states that no person, whether a student, employee, or visitor, shall possess or carry a weapon while on University of Minnesota property. The University of Minnesota has issued CSCC an exemption to this policy, which means that CSCC residents are permitted to carry unloaded firearms.

CSCC residents must comply with several restrictions. Firearms are only permitted on CSCC grounds while residents are actively in transit to and from their apartments. Firearms must be unloaded, and they must always be encased during transit through CSCC. Residents are only allowed to store firearms in locked storage inside their apartments and never in CSCC storage rooms or anywhere else on the premises.

Any violation of this policy will result in immediate eviction.

Safety and Security

Reporting Crime

If residents witness usual, suspicious, or harmful behavior, they should report it to the University of Minnesota Police Department by calling 911.

If you are the victim of a crime on CSCC property (e.g., bicycle theft, car break-in, or assault), report the crime to the University of Minnesota Police Department by calling 612-624-2677. If you need immediate assistance, call 911.

It is critical that residents report crimes committed on CSCC property to the University of Minnesota Police Department because UMPD allocates resources based on crime data.

Management provides a monthly report of crimes committed at CSCC to the Board of Directors so the Board can stay informed about crime in our community and take steps to mitigate it.

Preventing Crime

There are several steps residents can take to make CSCC safer, including:

Watching out for unusual or suspicious activity (e.g., strangers loitering around the complex or actively committing a crime) and reporting it immediately by calling 911
Removing valuables from vehicles or hiding them from view
Locking bicycles with U-Locks, locking car doors, and locking apartment windows and doors even when at home inside the apartment
Keeping coreways and stairwells to free of any items other than doormats
Requesting an escort from the University of Minnesota SafeWalk program (612-624-9255)
Signing up to receive SAFE-U Notifications about crime events on and around campus
Getting to know neighbors

Power Outages

Power outages occur for many different reasons, including inclement weather and equipment malfunction. If your power goes out, call Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-4999 to report the outage. You will need to provide the address of the laundry-room coreway of the affected building (e.g., on 27th Ave SE: 1004, 1016, 1028, 1040, 1056, 1062, or 1068; on 29th Ave SE: 1005, 1021, 1029, 1037, or 1049). Only Xcel Energy can restore power in the event of an outage. CSCC maintenance technicians do not have the necessary access to correct a power outage.

Emergency Lighting

If the power goes out, each coreway has emergency lighting that will run for about fifteen (15) minutes. Residents are encouraged to own a flashlight, since coreways and apartments can be quite dark during a power outage.

Waste Removal

Garbage

Residents are required to dispose of their own trash in the dumpsters located in each parking lot. Do not leave garbage bags outside your door; instead, take them directly to the dumpster, put them inside, and close the lid. If one dumpster is full, put your garbage in the next available dumpster. Please dispose of trash in garbage dumpsters and not in the container that is only for recycling. A $250 fine will be assessed if a resident places garbage in the recycling container.

Residents should not ever leave garbage outside a dumpster. A $250 fine will be assessed if a resident does not put their garbage fully into the dumpster. If a resident needs to dispose of a large or bulky item, like a mattress or a large piece of furniture, they should arrange for CSCC’s trash hauler, Aspen Waste, to pick it up by calling 612-884-8000. Large items should never be left near garbage dumpsters in the parking lots or elsewhere on the grounds.

In addition, residents should not use the trash cans located near playgrounds for disposing of personal apartment garbage or pet waste. They are for incidental trash that may occur while playing outside. All pet waste should be disposed of at the designated stations on the perimeter of the complex.

Recycling

Residents are encouraged to use the recycling bins located by the garbage dumpsters in each parking lot. Residents can recycle these items: plastic containers numbered 1,2 or 5, aluminum cans, junk mail, paper, food boxes, and cardboard boxes that have been flattened or broken down. Egg cartons and wax-coated cartons are not recyclable.

Please do not put non-recyclable plastics inside the recycling bin. Plastic bags, foam and plastic trays, and medicine bottles are not recyclable. Do not dispose of recyclables in plastic bags, as this will contaminate the entire container. It is best to collect recyclables in a brown paper bag or a reusable container that can be emptied directly into the recycling bin. Please follow directions posted on the recycling bin to ensure the proper disposal of recyclables.

Organics

There is one organic recycling bin at CSCC. It is located on the northeast side of parking lot D. Residents must collect organics in a brown paper bag or biodegradable green bag and should only dispose of organic materials (e.g., food scraps, napkins, paper towels, plants, and flowers) in this bin. Garbage bags and plastic bags should not be put into the organic recycling bin.

The organic recycling bin is kept locked. To gain access to the organic recycling bin, residents must sign and submit the CSCC compost agreement.

Amenities

Internet

CSCC residents have access to the University of Minnesota’s campus internet and WiFi signal. Residents can use the internet by connecting to the ethernet port located on the living room wall in each apartment. To use the ethernet port, residents first need to register their devices with the University of Minnesota’s Office of Information Technology (OIT).

The University of Minnesota’s eduroam WiFi signal is also available at CSCC. CSCC residents who are students of the University of Minnesota can access this WiFi network by signing on to eduroam using their MyU login credentials. Non-students residents can use the Guest network.

Finally, the University of Minnesota provides WiFi for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smart televisions, Roku streaming device, and Amazon Alexa devices. Residents do not need to register their Internet of Things devices to use this network. They can access the network by selecting the UofM-IoT-Como WiFi and entering ComoCooper@tive!! as the password. This service is only available inside CSCC buildings. Google Home devices will need to be registered them through the University’s Chromecast registration process.

Residents who use the eduroam WiFi network agree to abide by the University of Minnesota’s terms of use. As part of these terms, residents are not allowed to use wireless printers, cellular hotspots, signal boosters, or WiFi routers that are plugged into the ethernet jack. Such devices create rogue networks that interfere with wireless access points in the coreways and violate the University of Minnesota’s internet usage rules. However, if residents choose to obtain their own internet service, CSCC apartments are wired for elective Comcast and CenturyLink services.

CSCC does not provide technical support for the eduroam WiFi or the internet available through the living room ethernet port. If residents have internet-related issues, they should contact the University of Minnesota’s Office of Internet Technology Help Desk by calling 612-301-4357 or emailing help@umn.edu.

Laundry Rooms

Every building at CSCC has its own laundry room. The card-reader-operated washing machines and dryers in the laundry room are leased from BDS Laundry. Residents should contact BDS if they encounter problems with the machines, or to request a refund if a wash or dry cycle is not completed, by calling BDS Laundry’s service line at 651-688-8000.

For convenience, many residents choose to store their laundry detergent in the laundry room. Residents must label any laundry detergent they store in the laundry room with their apartment number and take it with them when they vacate. CSCC is not responsible for personal items that are stored in the laundry room. Residents use this amenity at their own risk.

Storage Rooms

Starting in summer 2025, fenced storage spaces and indoor bike storage will be available for a monthly fee. For more information about reserving one of these storage spaces, please contact the CSCC office. CSCC is not responsible for any personal items stored in these areas, and use of storage spaces is done at residents’ own risk.

Residents who use the storage rooms must comply with policies dictated by the Fire Marshal. Items must not be stored in the aisles, and aisles must be kept clear. Additionally, gasoline, motorized vehicles, firearms, and toxic or flammable materials including lighter fluid are not permitted in CSCC storage rooms.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging

There are three Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, with six ports, in parking lot C. These charging stations are only for CSCC residents and their guests, so they are not listed in public directories.

To become an approved user, residents need to connect to the charging stations via the ChargePoint app using this link: https://chargepoint.app.link/OB7o7P3s5Rb.

Here are some helpful links for getting started:

Residents can find charging rates in the ChargePoint app. These rates are subject to change. If residents have questions about the ChargePoint app, they should reach out to ChargePoint directly. If residents experience any problems with the charging stations, they should report them to the CSCC office.

Fitness and Recreation

Fitness Rooms

CSCC has two fitness rooms that are located on the lower level of 1058. They contain cardio machines, weights, suspension trainers, and other strength training equipment. Residents must sign the Fitness Room Waiver and Release form to gain access to this space.

The fitness rooms are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Posted rules and hours may change at any time without prior notice at management’s discretion.

Residents are requested to change from outdoor shoes into clean-soled athletic shoes before using the fitness room, especially during the winter, since salt from the sidewalks can damage the equipment. Residents should take their shoes or any personal items from the in the fitness rooms when not in use.

Game Room

CSCC residents are welcome to use the game room on the lower level of 1060. There is table tennis, paddles, and balls, as well as board games, in the game room for resident use. Before using the game room, residents must have a Fitness Room Waiver and Release form on file with the office. The CSCC game room cannot be reserved.

Basketball Court

East of the CSCC Community Center, there is a full basketball court. Residents are allowed to use the basketball court only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., since gameplay noise can be disruptive to neighboring apartments. The court is available on a first-come, first-serve basis unless there is a community-sponsored event taking place there.

Soccer Field

There is a soccer field on the north side of the complex that is only for resident play. No outside organized play is allowed on the CSCC soccer field.

Please note that this area is not a dog off-leash area. Animals must remain leashed at all times.

The soccer field will be closed each spring when grass is growing in, and after it rains considerably. Residents are not permitted to use the soccer field during these closures. Additionally, cleats are not allowed on the field, as they can damage the grass.

Volleyball Court

CSCC also has a sand volleyball court for resident use. It is located west of the soccer field and, like the soccer field, is available on a first-come, first-serve basis unless a community event is being held there. Each spring, management installs a volleyball net for residents to use. Please let the office know if the net needs to be repaired or replaced.

Tetherball

A tetherball pole is located between coreways 1021 and 1029. Please let the CSCC office know if the tetherball needs to be replaced.

Playgrounds

There are five (5) playgrounds at CSCC for residents and their children to use.

Outdoor Workout Equipment

Residents are welcome to use the five (5) adult exercise stations near coreway 1015.

Tools and Equipment

Tool Lending Library

CSCC offers a Tool Lending Library, which contains tools and equipment for home maintenance, bike and car repairs, and other DIY projects. Residents can visit the CSCC office to access the Tool Lending Library.

Battery Jumper

If a resident’s car battery dies and needs to be jump started, there is a portable jump starter available to borrow from the CSCC office at no cost during open office hours.

Dolly Cart

The CSCC office has a “dolly,” or a cart with four wheels, that residents are welcome to borrow when transporting heavy items, including while moving in and out.

Carpet Cleaner

Residents can check out a carpet cleaner to clean the carpet in their apartments. The rental fee for the carpet cleaner is $10 per in-person business day and includes soap. Residents should contact the office to schedule a rental.

The Loft

The CSCC Loft is the large open room on the second floor of the CSCC Community Center. The Loft is available for residents to rent at a rate of $12 per hour. This rental fee includes use of the room, seven tables and approximately 50 chairs, and use of the kitchen. Residents can view the Loft’s availability by checking the Community Calendar and can reserve the Loft up to 60 days in advance by contacting the CSCC office. Residents should include set-up and clean-up time in their reservations, since bookings are often made back to back.

Picnic Areas and Grills

There are five (5) picnic areas throughout the complex. These picnic areas have tables and charcoal grills that residents are welcome to use. Residents must be at least 15 feet away from buildings and other objects when grilling and must not use the small trash cans in playground areas for cook-out waste. Instead, residents should take their trash to the parking lot dumpsters and dispose of hot ash and coals in the hot ash receptacles provided. Residents are not allowed to use propane tanks for grilling.

Communal Fire Pits

CSCC provides communal fire pits for resident use on a first-come, first-served basis. All users must follow the City of Minneapolis guidelines for recreational fires, including safety, size, and material restrictions. Please review the full regulations here: Minneapolis Recreational Fire Guidelines.

Community Garden

There is an organic community garden directly east of the Community Center. The garden is run by the Community Garden Committee. Each spring, residents who are interested in tending one of the 45 plots in the garden can submit an application. Plots are assigned by lottery, so space is not guaranteed. Residents who receive a garden plot agree to tend their assigned plot for the entire growing season and to complete required work hours and participate in community work days led by the Community Garden Committee.

The community garden is only open to registered gardeners. Pets and support animals are not allowed inside the garden.

Community Groups

CSCC’s various community groups are a great way for residents to meet their neighbors and make friends who share similar interests. Residents are encouraged to organize a community group, which could be a one-time get-together or a recurring meeting—anything from a foreign film screening to a cooking class to a monthly chat about philosophy and faith. The CSCC Loft is free for community groups’ use, and CSCC can also provide paper products (plates, napkins, cups, and utensils) and beverages (water and/or soda). The only requirement is that community groups must be open to all CSCC residents.

Funding is available for community groups, too! It is allocated based on expected attendance and supplies needed. It’s easy to start a community group: just fill out the Community Group Application form on the CSCC website.

Maintenance in Your Apartment

Maintenance Requests and Charges

CSCC’s maintenance team is committed to resolving problems as soon as they arise. Residents can support this effort by submitting maintenance requests promptly through the resident portal. Submitting a request is the fastest way to receive service. On the WebAccess portal, residents can also track the status of their maintenance requests.

Residents are encouraged to submit a maintenance request whenever there is a need to do so, whether within their unit or in any communal spaces. There is no service charge for repairs resulting from ordinary wear and tear, but if negligence necessitates a repair (like letting food or grease go down the drain), residents will be charged the hourly rate for maintenance.

Maintenance Emergency Line

If there is an emergency—meaning that people or property will be endangered if action is not taken at once—residents may call the CSCC Maintenance Emergency line at 612-378-0219. Emergencies include plumbing failure, plumbing backup, loss of heat, loss of electricity, and appliance failure. In situations like these, residents should call the emergency line.

Elective Services

Management provides standard fixtures and appliances in good working condition. However, residents have the option of requesting the following elective services for an additional cost:

Approved bidet installation
Range hood installation
Long-neck faucet installation

These installations must be approved by management and completed by the maintenance team. To request a service or receive more information about pricing and scheduling, please contact the CSCC office.

Pest Control

Pests can spread rapidly, so if you spot rodents or bugs in your apartment, contact the CSCC office immediately. Residents should also take proactive steps to prevent pests, including:

Discarding food scraps in the garbage and taking household garbage to the dumpster in the parking lot daily
Wiping kitchen counters clean after cooking is completed
Removing grease from the stove, countertops, and/or cupboards
Storing grains and other bulk food items in air-tight containers
Ensuring paper boxes and plastic bags are closed tightly

In the event of a pest sighting, management may ask you to submit a maintenance request and submit a photo. This will allow for our pest control professionals to identify the pest and treat them accordingly to prevent pests from spreading to neighboring apartments. CSCC’s contracted pest control provider will treat your apartment on their next visit to CSCC. There is no cost to you for this service, and the provider may treat neighboring apartments at the same time. Please note that residents are required to prepare for treatment, if needed, before the technician arrives. If a resident fails to prepare for their treatment, a charge may apply.

Willful failure to report pests or keep the apartment clean and sanitary will result in eviction.

Light Bulbs

Residents are responsible for replacing light bulbs in their apartment, after the bulbs that have been furnished by management burn out. Residents can purchase standard appliance bulbs for the refrigerator and stove hood. Light fixtures in the kitchen, hallway, and oven do not use traditional light bulbs, so residents should contact maintenance for replacements.

Shoe Coverings for Maintenance Staff

Maintenance personnel are not allowed to remove their shoes when entering an apartment. Residents are welcome to provide non-slip surgical boot covers for maintenance personnel.

Rent

Rent is due on the first day of each month and is payable until 11:59 p.m. on the fifth day of each month. Residents can pay rent by ACH transaction, credit card, or debit card through the Resident Web Access Portal, or by a check paid directly to the CSCC office. Management does not hold checks and will cash any checks received.

Late Rent

CSCC has a multi-step process for handling late rent. Residents are charged a $25 fee for all late rent, with no exceptions. If a resident does not pay rent by the 10th day of the month, a hold will be placed on their University of Minnesota account. This hold will not be released until the resident has paid their entire outstanding balance. If the resident does not pay rent during the following month, CSCC will seek the resident’s eviction through Hennepin County Courts.

Residents are also subject to an unpaid balance fee if they carry a balance into the next month.

Rent Extensions

As a courtesy, CSCC offers three rent extensions per year to residents who are not carrying an outstanding balance but who are experiencing special circumstances, such as delayed financial aid disbursements. When CSCC grants a rent extension, residents can pay rent before the fifth day of the following month without receiving a late fee.

Residents can request a rent extension using the Rent Extension form on the CSCC website. Rent extension requests must be submitted by the fifth day of the month. If the rent is not paid according to the terms of the rent extension, the resident will be charged a $25 late fee and a $25 unpaid balance fee, and a hold will be placed on their University of Minnesota account.

Rent extensions will not be granted once a notice to vacate has been given. Residents with an outstanding balance are not eligible to apply for a rent extension.

Rent Increase

Rent increases annually on July 1. Management will give residents at least 60 days’ notice prior to enacting a rent increase.

Pet Policies

Registering Pets

CSCC residents are allowed to have up to two (2) animals per apartment.

Residents who would like to keep a pet must register their animal by submitting the Animal Request form within seven (7) days of possessing an animal. After submitting this form, management will reach out with next steps.

Pet Fees

Residents pay a $150 initial pet registration fee and a monthly fee for keeping a pet at CSCC. Residents found to be in possession of an unregistered animal will be fined $250.

Allowable Pets

Small Caged Animals

CSCC’s Small Caged Animal Policy limits residents to a total of two (2) caged pets or aquarium animals per apartment. Small caged animals (e.g., rabbits, hamsters, birds, etc.) must weigh less than 15 pounds and are to be kept in appropriate cages. Aquarium animals (e.g., fish, turtles, salamanders) are permitted if they live in fewer than 10 gallons of water and do not eat living food (e.g., mice) other than feeder crickets. No animals are allowed that are venomous, biting, or pose a threat for infestation. Animals not listed above may be approved or denied at management’s discretion. Ferrets are not permitted to be kept as pets at CSCC.

Dogs and Cats

CSCC’s Animal Policy allows residents to keep dogs and cats as pets or as support animals (for more information about having a support animal at CSCC, please see the section titled “Support Animals”).

All dogs and cats must be licensed and registered with CSCC within seven (7) days of possessing the animal (see Animal Registration section above).

In addition, within fourteen (14) days of submitting the Animal Request form to CSCC, residents need to complete these steps:

Obtain a City of Minneapolis animal license and submit proof of license to management
Submit proof to management that the animal has been spayed or neutered (or, if the resident is adopting a puppy or kitten, the resident must have the animal spayed or neutered before the animal is thirteen (13) months old and then submit proof)
Submit an individual photo of the animal to management
All leaseholders must agree to and sign the CSCC Animal License Agreement

Minneapolis City Animal License

Residents are required to obtain a City of Minneapolis animal license for their dog or cat. To be licensed, a dog must be at least four (4) months old and vaccinated against rabies. A dog can be vaccinated against rabies once it is twelve (12) to sixteen (16) weeks old.

Liability Insurance Requirement (Dog Owners)

Residents who keep a dog as a pet must carry liability insurance for the dog.

Waste Sampling Requirement (Dog Owners)

CSCC participates in PooPrints, a service that analyzes feces that have not been disposed of properly to determine which dog they belong to. Residents are required to make an appointment with CSCC staff within seven (7) days of submitting an Animal Request form to collect the dog’s DNA. Dog waste on CSCC grounds that has not been properly disposed of will be collected and tested, and the dog owner will be fined $250.

Exceptions to Pet Registration Timeline

In some cases, management can make exceptions to the required pet registration and licensing timeline. To be eligible for an exception, residents must provide satisfactory documentation and keep in regular communication with management.

Conduct for Pet Owners

Animals are not allowed on playgrounds, the volleyball court, or in the community garden.

Toileting

Residents are expected to toilet their animals on the perimeter of the complex. Residents should never toilet pets on playgrounds, near benches or picnic tables, in landscaped areas, on the soccer field, or in the community garden. Pet feces must be picked up immediately and disposed of in parking lot dumpsters or designated pet waste stations throughout the complex. Pet feces should never be disposed of in playground trash cans.

Leashes

Residents are required to keep the pet in an appropriate carrier or on a non-retractable leash that is less than six (6) feet long whenever they are outside.

Laundry Room Etiquette

Residents should remove animal fur from their laundry before using the shared laundry room and pick up after their animal in the coreway.

Prohibition of Guest Animals

Only animals registered to CSCC residents are permitted in residential units; visiting animals are not allowed on the premises.

Cancellation of Animal License Agreement

The CSCC Animal License Agreement is considered an addendum to the lease. This means that the Animal License Agreement cannot be paused or temporarily suspended. However, if a resident is no longer in possession of the animal, they may cancel their CSCC Animal License Agreement. To do this, the resident must submit a request to cancel their license, in writing, to the CSCC office.

Support Animals

Residents must receive approval from the University of Minnesota Disability Resource Center to have a support animal at CSCC. Once a resident has secured DRC approval, they must submit the required Animal Request form within the first seven (7) days of possessing an animal.

Support animals are not subject to a limitation on breed or animal type. However, if a resident’s support animal is a dog or cat, they also need to complete these requirements within fourteen (14) days of submitting the Animal Request form to CSCC:

Obtain a City of Minneapolis animal license and submit proof of license to management
Submit proof to management that the animal has been spayed or neutered (or, if the resident is adopting a puppy or kitten, the resident must have the animal spayed or neutered before the animal is thirteen (13) months old and then submit proof)
Submit a photo of the animal to management

Residents with support animals are required to abide by all the above pet policies, including policies on leashing and toileting. Management may be able to make an exception to the required timeline for registering and licensing a support animal, if the resident can supply satisfactory documentation and stays in regular communication with management.

Pet Fees (Support Animals Exempt)

There is a nonrefundable pet registration fee and a monthly charge for keeping a pet at CSCC. Fees vary based on animal type. Support animals are exempt from these fees.

Fee	Dog	Cat
Pet Registration Fee	$150	$150
Pet Monthly Fee	$25	$15
Fine for Pet Policy Violations	$250	$250
Fine for Pet Waste Policy Violations	$250	$0
DNA Test for Animal Waste (if not collected or disposed of)	$100	$0

Eligibility

Academic Eligibility Requirements

At least one member of each household at CSCC must be one of the following:

A degree-seeking student at the University of Minnesota
A postdoctoral scholar at the University of Minnesota
A professional in training at the University of Minnesota
A medical or dental resident at the University of Minnesota
An employee of the University of Minnesota employed under one of these job codes

When applicants apply to CSCC, they are classified either as families or as individuals and roommates. Families are applicants living with a spouse or registered domestic partner or an unmarried applicant with 50% or greater physical custody of a minor child. Individual applicants can apply to live at CSCC alone or with a roommate. If an applicant has applied to CSCC as a family and benefitted from the waitlist priority given to families, they cannot have a roommate if they live at CSCC without their family until after they have lived at CSCC for at least twelve (12) months.

Retaining Academic Eligibility

To be eligible to live at CSCC, a resident must currently be enrolled at the University. Because management must prove every semester that all CSCC residents meet the academic eligibility requirements, management reserves the right to request transcripts and/or letters from advisors or departments to verify compliance. If a resident’s academic status changes, they should reach out to the CSCC office.

Loss of Academic Eligibility

Academic verification occurs each semester. If a resident no longer meets CSCC’s academic eligibility requirements, they will be required to vacate. Residents who are no longer enrolled at the University of Minnesota because they have graduated or for any other reason may reside at Residents may remain at CSCC for up to sixty (60) days following the end of their program, cancellation, or termination of registration. However, a resident may remain at CSCC if at least one other person on their lease meets the academic eligibility requirements or if the resident is on an official leave of absence approved by the University of Minnesota.

CSCC residents who graduate from the University of Minnesota are required to submit a notice to vacate to the CSCC office upon the conclusion of their program.

Seven-Year Occupancy Limit

The University of Minnesota has set a seven-year combined occupancy limit at CSCC and its sister housing cooperative, Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative (CTC). This means residents may not live at CSCC and CTC, or any combination of the two, for a total of more than seven (7) years. CSCC will require a resident to vacate once that seven-year occupancy limit is reached. A resident may seek a temporary exemption to this policy by reaching out to the CSCC office for next steps.

Lease Termination by CSCC

Residents are required to abide by the policies outlined in the Lease Agreement and Resident Handbook, which have been enacted by the CSCC Board of Directors. In rare cases, CSCC must terminate its Lease Agreement with a resident who no longer meets CSCC’s eligibility requirements or has violated CSCC rules. If the resident fails to vacate, CSCC may take additional legal action.

What is CSCC

A property Management Company

Como Student Community Cooperative (CSCC) is a property management company registered as a cooperative with the state of Minnesota. CSCC manages land and buildings owned by the University of Minnesota, which stipulates that CSCC is to provide affordable housing to University of Minnesota students and their families. The University of Minnesota determines who is eligible to live at CSCC and for how long.

The legal authority of CSCC is its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors consists of nine (9) directors who are current stockholders in CSCC. Board members serve for one fiscal year, from July 1 to June 30. All stockholders have the right to run for election to the Board of Directors and are encouraged to do so.

A Cooperative

CSCC is also a cooperative, which means it is owned and controlled by its members, who each own a small share in the business. Residents have the option of becoming stockholders, or members, of the business. To become stockholders, residents purchase a share of refundable common stock ($10), attend a New Stockholder Orientation, and agree to participate in cleaning the coreway—a common space shared by five or six apartments—on a rotating basis.

Residents who do not become stockholders are not responsible for cleaning the coreway or for fulfilling any other obligations of a stockholder. They pay a surcharge of about 10% of the rate of their rent and are not eligible to participate in cooperative governance or to receive a patronage refund at the end of the fiscal year.

A Fair Housing Community

CSCC follows Fair Housing practices, which prohibit discrimination against residents based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability (Federal Fair Housing Act); creed, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, gender identity, or sexual orientation (Minnesota Fair Housing Act); and ancestry (Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance).

Responsibilities of CSCC Stockholders

New Stockholder Orientation

All new residents who choose to become stockholders are required to attend a New Stockholder Orientation, which is offered in webinar format about once a month. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure new stockholders understand their responsibilities at CSCC. New stockholders will receive two email invitations with a link to the calendar where they can register for a session. They must attend one of the orientations within their first 60 days of residency. At least one adult from married and partnered households, and every roommate from individual graduate student households, must participate in this orientation.

Residents who do not attend the New Stockholder Orientation within the required time frame will have their stockholder status revoked until they complete the orientation.

Coreway Cleaning

The primary responsibility of stockholders at CSCC is to clean the coreway in which they live on a rotating basis. The schedule for coreway cleaning is posted on each coreway’s bulletin board above the mailboxes and must be checked off and signed after each cleaning. To complete this task, stockholders are required to vacuum all carpeted areas in the coreway, including the stairs; sweep and mop the linoleum entryways; clean the windows inside and out; spot clean the walls; sweep the sidewalk and entryway; pick up litter from green spaces around the coreway; remove old notices from the bulletin board; and, in winter, shovel the berm, or the ridge of snow that the snowplow leaves behind at the ends of entryway sidewalks.

CSCC provides one vacuum, which is located in each building’s laundry room, for residents to use to complete their coreway cleaning. Building residents are responsible for maintaining their building’s own vacuum. Even if the vacuum is not functioning or available when a stockholder is completing their coreway cleaning, stockholders are still required to vacuum the coreway.

Stockholders who do not complete their assigned coreway cleaning will be fined $30, and they will have one strike added to their records. If a stockholder is out of town or otherwise unable to complete their assigned cleaning, they can find a replacement. For example, they may switch cleaning assignments with another stockholder in their coreway or hire a neighbor to complete their assigned cleaning on their behalf. Stockholders who switch with or hire a neighbor to clean for them should notify CSCC’s cleaning evaluator by emailing cleaning.evaluator@cscc.coop. Doing so relieves the stockholder of responsibility should the coreway not actually be cleaned.

Winter Coreway Cleaning Duties

In the winter, stockholders are responsible for helping with snow removal during their assigned coreway cleaning weeks. CSCC currently contracts with a snow removal company to plow the sidewalks throughout the complex whenever it snows more than half an inch. When sidewalks are plowed, the plow tends to leave behind a ridge of snow, also known as a “berm,” at the top of the sidewalk. In addition to their regular coreway cleaning duties, stockholders are required to clear away this berm during their assigned coreway cleaning weeks. Stockholders who do not shovel the berm during their assigned cleaning week will be considered not to have completed their coreway cleaning and will therefore be fined $30.

Additionally, stockholders are required to shovel the sidewalks directly outside of their coreways whenever it snows less than half an inch during their assigned cleaning week. And stockholders are encouraged to use the bucket of salt that is provided in the entrance to their coreway to salt the sidewalk outside their coreway. This is a courtesy that helps prevent sidewalks from freezing and makes sidewalks safer for residents throughout the complex.

Annual Stockholders’ Meeting

Stockholders are encouraged to attend and participate in CSCC’s annual stockholders’ meeting, which usually occurs in late fall or early winter, after the annual audit is complete and within six months of the close of the fiscal year. During the annual stockholders’ meeting, the CEO, Board president, and Finance Committee chair give presentations about the cooperative’s operations and performance during the previous fiscal year. Stockholders will also be asked to vote on any bylaw changes proposed during this meeting. And, finally, stockholders will have the opportunity to ask questions of the CEO, Board president, and Finance Committee chair during a live Q&A portion of the meeting called Stockholders’ Voice. Attending the annual stockholders’ meeting is an important way for stockholders to stay informed about the cooperative they collectively own.

Voting in Elections for the Board of Directors

CSCC stockholders are encouraged to participate in annual elections for the CSCC Board of Directors. It is the right and a responsibility of every stockholder to vote in Board elections and to choose Board members who will represent them in setting policy and making decisions for the cooperative. Stockholders should take this opportunity seriously by getting informed about the candidates running for the Board and voting for candidates who are best able to represent their interests. Stockholders should also consider running for the Board of Directors.

Losing Stockholder Status

Residents may lose their stockholder status if they do not attend a New Stockholder Orientation within the required time frame or if they receive three strikes on their record in a revolving twelve (12) month period. Stockholder status will be retracted until the first strike is over twelve (12) months old. Residents must request reinstatement if they wish to become stockholders again.

Benefits for CSCC Stockholders

Patronage Refund

When the annual audit determines that there was a surplus from the previous year’s patronage income, the Board of Directors will decide whether to return that surplus to stockholders in the form of a patronage refund. This refund is correlated with rent payment, so the more rent a stockholder paid to CSCC during the previous fiscal year, the larger their refund.

If a stockholder is carrying a balance when patronage is issued, the balance will be credited to CSCC before a refund is made. If there has been a change of roommate in an apartment, any patronage refund that would be paid under the lease will remain with the apartment and to the benefit of the remaining roommate or future roommate.

In accordance with CSCC’s Bylaws, no distribution will be made when the amount otherwise to be distributed to a member is less than $20 or the member fails to respond in a reasonable time frame to a request for a current mailing address that is sent to their registered email address. If their current email address differs from the email address that CSCC has on file, a stockholder must provide an updated email address when vacating CSCC.

Governance Structure and Volunteer Opportunities

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is responsible for governing the business affairs of the cooperative and for representing the interests of current and future residents of CSCC. The Board of Directors develops policy, approves the annual budget, raises rent, and approves patronage refunds. It also hires, directs, and evaluates the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who oversees day-to-day operations of the cooperative and implements policies set by the Board.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is responsible for protecting the financial health of the cooperative. Some of the Finance Committee’s duties include reviewing monthly financial statements, tracking expenditures, and proposing the annual budget and rent schedule to the Board of Directors for approval. This committee consists of up to twelve (12) voting members who are appointed by the Board and works directly with the CEO.

Building Coordinators Committee

Each building at CSCC is represented by a building coordinator, who is responsible for fostering a sense of community within that building. Building coordinators host CSCC-funded building get-togethers, welcome new residents, and disseminate building-specific information. They also organize building meetings during CSCC’s annual spring and fall celebrations. More than one building resident can share the duties of this position.

Community Activities Committee

The Community Activities Committee strengthens the sense of community at CSCC by hosting social, recreational, and educational events for residents. The committee works in collaboration with the Member Services Coordinator, a CSCC staff member who is responsible for supporting and coordinating events; however, resident participation in planning and staffing community events is essential to their success.

Vacating Your Apartment

Notice to Vacate

A resident wishing to vacate their apartment must submit a 60-day notice to vacate in writing, either using the Notice to Vacate form or by sending an email to the CSCC office. The official lease-end date must be on a CSCC business day. The final month’s rent will be prorated and will include the resident’s official vacate date. Once notice is submitted, CSCC will begin the process of filling the unit, and the notice cannot be rescinded.

Reconditioning Fee

CSCC bases its rental rates on the expectation that most residents will live in their apartments for a minimum of twelve (12) months. If a resident moves out after living at CSCC for fewer than six (6) months, they will be charged a $500 fee. If a resident moves out after six (6) months but before twelve (12) months, they will be charged a $250 fee. This fee accounts for the expenses CSCC incurs in securing a new tenant and turning the apartment.

Apartment Check-Out

Residents are required to vacate by 1:15 p.m. on the agreed-upon vacate date and return keys to the CSCC office. If the apartment is not vacated by 1:15 p.m., residents will be charged a $75 overstay fee. A second $75 overstay penalty applies if the keys are not turned in to the office by 5:00 p.m. on the vacate date. For each additional day the keys are not returned, a $75 overstay fee will apply, in addition to a daily prorated rental charge for the apartment.

Residents should clean their apartment thoroughly before vacating. Management will conduct a final apartment inspection after 1:15 p.m. on the vacate date and compare the condition of the apartment at move-in to the current condition of the apartment. The costs of repairing damages beyond normal wear and tear and any additional cleaning that is needed will be deducted from the resident’s security deposit at a rate of $45 per hour. Management will provide residents with cleaning guidelines when they confirm a resident’s notice to vacate. If a resident would like to be present for the final apartment inspection, they must schedule this in advance.

Service Fees and Appliance Charges

Service Fees

Lock Change	$250
Extra Key	$30
Lockout during business hours	$10
Lockout before 9:00 p.m.	$50
Lockout after 9 p.m., before 8:00 a.m.	$75
Replacement visitor parking permit	$10
Reconditioning fee for vacating after 6-12 months	$250
Reconditioning fee for vacating after fewer than 6 months	$500

Elective Appliance Charges

Air-conditioner*	$30 per air conditioner per month
Dishwasher	$10 per month
Large freezer or refrigerator (5+ cubic feet)	$10 per month
Small freezer or refrigerator (<5 cubic feet)	$6 per month

*Beginning fall 2025, this fee applies only if a resident chooses to install a second air conditioner in their apartment

Exemptions to CSCC Policies

Policy	Fee	Exemptions
Late rent fee	$25	None
Unpaid balance fee	$25 per month	None
Non-cleaning of coreway	$30	Medical emergency, death in the family (documentation required)
Non-shoveling of snow berm	$30	Medical emergency, death in the family (documentation required)
Plumbing alterations	$250	None
Unreported appliance	$250 per appliance	None
Clothes washer or dryer in apartment	$250	None
Unreported air conditioner	$50	None
Smoking/e-cigarettes/vaping on CSCC property	First offense: $100 Second offense: $200 Third offense: eviction	None
Unauthorized sublease	$250	None
Non-registration of guest	$100	None
Items in coreway	$30	None
Littering	$15	None
Unlawful use of an accessible parking space	$100	None
Unauthorized driving in fire lane	$250	None
Non-removal of car from parking lot after notice from management for sweeping, repair, or snow removal	$250	Medical emergency, death in the family (documentation required)
Improper Dumpster Use or Garbage in Recycling	$250	None

CSCC complies with Fair Housing Laws by applying these policies to all residents without bias. If a resident has been fined for failure to comply with one of these policies but qualifies for an exemption, they must bring documentation to the CSCC office.

CSCC Policies With Listed Exemptions

Policy	Fee	Exemptions
Late Rent Fee	$25	none
Unpaid Balance Fee	$25 per month	none
non-cleaning of coreway	$30	medical emergency, death in the family; documentation required
non-shoveling of snow	$30	medical emergency, death in the family; documentation required
plumbing alterations	$250	none
unreported appliance	$250 per appliance	none
clothes washer/dryer in apartment	$250	none
unreported air-conditioner	$50	none
smoking/E-cigarettes on CSCC property	$100 first offense; $200 second offense; eviction, third offense	none
unauthorized sublease	$250	none
non-registration of guest	$100	none
items in coreway	$30	none
littering	$15	none
unlawful use of an accessible parking space	$100	none
unauthorized driving on firelane	$250	none
non-removal of car from parking lot as required (sweeping, repair, snow removal)	$250	medical emergency, death in the family; documentation required
garbage in recycling bin	$250	none

To ensure that Fair Housing Laws are abided by, stated policies are upheld in the cooperative for all residents without bias. There are stated exemptions for specific policies. If a resident has been fined but they have a listed exemption, documentation must be brought to the CSCC Office.

CSCC Lease

The parties agree as follows:

Parties and Authorized Occupants

Owner: Regents of the University of Minnesota (referred to herein as University).

Owner’s Agent/Agent/Management: Minnesota Statutes, Section 504.B.181, requires us to identify to you the name of an agent authorized to accept service of process and receive and give receipts for notices and demands. The name and address of such Agent is: Como Student Community Cooperative, Management Office, 1024 27th Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (referred to herein as CSCC).

Resident: All persons named above are authorized occupants under the Lease and are referred to herein as Resident(s). Each adult occupant must sign this Lease and one Resident must meet the academic eligibility requirements set forth in the Resident Handbook, as established by University. Children who are born to, or legally adopted by, or are wards through legal guardianship of Resident and who are under age 18 and living with Resident, may be added to this Lease as authorized occupants under the Lease (subject to the occupancy standards set forth in the Resident Handbook). No other person may live at, use, or regularly stay at the Apartment without CSCC’s written consent and compliance with the policies in the Resident Handbook.

Eligibility: Occupancy at Como Student Community Cooperative is subject to eligibility requirements set by University and set forth in the CSCC Resident Handbook. This Lease will terminate at such time as a Resident household no longer meets the eligibility requirements, including but not limited to the academic eligibility requirements, set forth in the Resident Handbook. Any request for an extension of occupancy, or other appeal from the enforcement of the eligibility requirements, must be made in writing as soon as possible after the circumstances giving rise to the request for an extension and/or appeal are known, and submitted to the Management Office. All determinations regarding eligibility, extensions or appeals, will be made by University and will be handled by the Management Office. Resident occupancy, whether in one or more units of Como Student Community Cooperative, and/or Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative, Inc., shall not exceed seven (7) years total from the first day of occupancy in such cooperative housing.

Complex: The buildings and grounds constituting Como Student Community Cooperative.

Apartment: The rental premises identified at the address and unit above that is leased hereunder to Resident. In the case of a Resident household transfer, Apartment may include the prior or future unit to be occupied by Resident.

2. Term and Notice Period: The term of this Lease is month-to-month. Either party may terminate this Lease any time by giving 60 days’ written notice. The notice shall specify a vacate date that is any working day of the month on or after the 60th day the notice is given. Resident must fill out and deliver to CSCC the CSCC provided Intent to Vacate Form (Vacate Notice Form) to give proper notice. CSCC may change any term of this Lease, or give notice of a change in rent or other terms, by 60 days’ notice, which notice may be given by an individual letter to Resident or any other manner permitted in this Lease. Notice of a change in rent may also be given in a communication given to announce a General Co-op Members’ meeting at which time financial and business records demonstrating the need for a rent increase may be presented.

The parties acknowledge that rent charges are based on the assumption that it is more likely than not that residents will remain in an apartment for a minimum of 12 months. In setting rents, Agent did not bargain for or anticipate the cost of turning over the Apartment to make it rent ready for another resident if Resident moves within 12 months. There is a $250 turnover fee if a resident moves out between 6 to 12 months and a $500 turnover fee if a resident moves out before 6 months. The parties agree that for evictions or terminations of the Lease that occur as a result of Resident breach of this Lease, nonpayment of rent with less than 12 months occupancy, or vacating for any other reason during the first 12 months occupancy, including lawful reasons, whether or not due to a breach, these turnover fees are a fair amount to collect as liquidated damages for the cost of turning over the Apartment.

3. Move-In: CSCC agrees to deliver the Apartment to Resident on the Move-in Date. If CSCC cannot deliver the Apartment to Resident on the Move-in Date, CSCC shall not be responsible for or liable to Resident for any damages, but rent shall be abated until CSCC can deliver possession. If CSCC is able to make the Apartment available to Resident within 72 hours from the Move-in Date, or CSCC can, at CSCC’s sole option, provide Resident with alternative lodging at CSCC’s expense, then this Lease shall remain in full force and effect. If the Apartment cannot be delivered within 72 hours, and CSCC does not provide Resident with alternative lodging, Resident shall have the option to terminate this Lease at any time until possession of the Apartment is delivered to Resident.

4. Condition of Apartment: Resident accepts the condition and decorating of the Apartment “as is”. No promises or representations have been made to change, upgrade, replace, or otherwise modify any of the decorating, fixtures, cabinetry, flooring, or appliances in the Apartment. Resident has been provided a Move-In Inspection form for purposes of noting any damages or deficiencies to the Apartment including but not limited to any nicks, scratches, holes, burn marks, fraying, staining, matting, or other defect in any flooring, cabinetry, wall, fixture, appliance, woodwork, molding, blinds, screens, tile, vinyl, corner bead, and glass. Failure by Resident to specifically note any deficiencies, or failure to return the Move-In form to CSCC within seventy-two (72) hours of taking possession, shall be conclusive evidence that the Apartment was received in good condition with no damages or deficiencies. The approval by any one Resident as to condition of the Apartment at move-in or move-out will be relied upon by CSCC as constituting the approval of all Residents who sign this Lease. CSCC will initially furnish light bulbs for the Apartment. Thereafter, light bulbs of the proper wattage must be replaced by Resident at Resident’s expense.

5. Agent Promises: CSCC represents and covenants (1) that the Apartment and all common areas are fit for use as a residential premises; (2) to keep the Apartment in reasonable repair and make repairs within a reasonable time after written notice by Resident except when damage is caused by the intentional or negligent conduct of Resident or Resident’s guests; (3) to maintain the Apartment in compliance with applicable health and safety codes except when a violation of the health and safety codes has been caused by the intentional or negligent conduct of the Resident or Resident’s guests; and (4) to keep the common areas clean and in good condition. It shall not be a breach of this paragraph if portions of the common areas are closed from time to time for repair or reconditioning. Resident shall not be entitled to any reduction or abatement in Rent due to interruption or use of the common areas or change in the hours of use, or other terms and condition for use, of the common areas.

CSCC may turn off equipment and interrupt utilities, including the closing or interruption of use of any common area rooms, amenities or equipment, as needed to avoid or repair damage or for maintenance and repair and such interruption or closing shall not be grounds for any Rent abatement.

6. Utilities, Electronic Services, and Waste Collection: CSCC shall furnish utilities for cooking, normal household electric (subject to additional fees and charges for appliances, car heaters, etc. as set forth in the Resident Handbook or otherwise promulgated by CSCC), sewer/water, and trash pick-up in reasonable quantities subject to such terms and conditions, and additional charges as CSCC may set from time to time or as set forth in the Resident Handbook. Resident is responsible for all charges for phone, Internet, and any other charges, such as cable TV, that may or may not be included in rent in the future as determined by CSCC and the members in the annual budget process. Resident shall not waste any utilities. Any waste or failure to report conditions that result in waste or damage from water drips or leaks, lack of or excess heat, windows or doors not properly shutting or closing may be charged to Resident. Resident shall immediately notify CSCC of any drip or leak or running water in any toilets. During months where the heat is on, Residents shall not leave any windows or doors open other than for very brief periods to allow fresh air exchange. CSCC will monitor the building exterior during heat months and may send Resident notices or assess charges for windows or doors left open. In addition to the extra utility costs and waste due to open windows or doors during heat months, open doors or windows can result in damage to pipes and heat systems. Resident will be responsible for any damages or repairs due to open doors, windows, or failure to report any water leak, running water, or signs of leaks or moisture.

7. Rent and Amounts Owed to Agent: Each Resident is individually responsible for paying the full amount of Rent and any other monthly or seasonal charges due under this Lease. Rent is due and payable by the 1st day of each month in the Management Office. Acceptance of partial payment of rent does not waive CSCC’s right to start an eviction action or to continue one that has been started. Residents should check with the Management Office and the Resident Handbook to inquire about a rent extension or payment plan. If Resident fails to pay rent or any other fee or charge on time, CSCC has the right to pursue all available legal remedies including termination of Lease and eviction.

8. Stockholder Rent and Service Charge: Resident acknowledges that CSCC is a membership cooperative. Residents at CSCC are given the opportunity to purchase stock and to participate in cooperative activities. Residents that are not cooperative stockholders agree to pay an additional amount each month as a service charge. The service charge may be adjusted as determined by the cooperative from time-to-time, which amount will be due with the monthly rent.

9. Late Fee and Returned Check Charge: Rent payments made after the fifth day of the month shall include a late fee charge of $25.00. A returned or dishonored check shall bear a $30.00 NSF fee. The NSF charge shall be in addition to the late fee charge. When rent is late, or after receipt of a returned or dishonored check, CSCC may require Resident to make payment in the form of cashier’s check or money order. Residents carrying forward an unpaid balance from a prior month are subject to an additional $25.00 unpaid balance fee.

10. Security Deposit: Resident will pay the security deposit stated on page 1 on or before the Move-In Date. When the Resident moves out, the deposit(s) will be returned by CSCC with interest as specified by Minnesota Statutes providing Resident has:

Given the proper written notice and has performed all the terms of this Lease, including the payment of all amounts due.

a) Vacated by no later than 1:00 p.m. on the date specified in Intent to Vacate Notice.

Left the Apartment and common areas in a clean and undamaged condition, ordinary wear and tear accepted. Resident must leave the Apartment in the conditions required by the Resident Handbook or any move-out instructions. Extra cleaning, painting or treatments to remove stains or to treat stubborn odors from smoke, cooking odors, or other odors are not considered normal wear and tear and these charges will be deducted from the deposit.

1. Removed all personal property and garbage from the Apartment and any storage area.
2. Returned all keys and parking permits to the Management Office.
3. Left Resident’s forwarding address in writing.
4. Paid all outstanding amounts due to the CSCC through the date for which Resident is responsible.

Minnesota law provides CSCC may keep all or part of deposits for damage to the Apartment beyond ordinary wear and tear and for other amounts owed to CSCC. CSCC will send to Resident the deposit, or a written notice explaining amounts deducted from the deposit, along with the remaining balance of the deposit, if any, within twenty-one (21) days after the end of Resident’s tenancy provided CSCC has received Resident’s mailing address or delivery instructions. Resident’s liability for full compliance with this Lease, and for payment of damages to person or property, is not limited to the amount of the Deposit. Failure to promptly pay any rents or charges owed to CSCC after deduction of the deposit plus interest will result in CSCC causing a hold to be placed on the Resident’s records at University

10. Security Deposit: Resident will pay the security deposit stated on page 1 on or before the Move-In Date. When the Resident moves out, the deposit(s) will be returned by CSCC with interest as specified by Minnesota Statutes providing Resident has:

Given the proper written notice and has performed all the terms of this Lease, including the payment of all amounts due.
Vacated by no later than 1:00 p.m. on the date specified in Intent to Vacate Notice.
Left the Apartment and common areas in a clean and undamaged condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Resident must leave the Apartment in the conditions required by the Resident Handbook or any move-out instructions. Extra cleaning, painting or treatments to remove stains or to treat stubborn odors from smoke, cooking odors, or other odors are not considered normal wear and tear and these charges will be deducted from the deposit.
Removed all personal property and garbage from the Apartment and any storage area.
Returned all keys and parking permits to the Management Office.
Left Resident’s forwarding address in writing.
Paid all outstanding amounts due to the CSCC through the date for which Resident is responsible.

11. Resident Handbook and Community Policies: Occupancy at the Complex, and participation as a stockholder in the Cooperative is subject to rules, regulations and policies that are contained in the Resident Handbook, Bylaws of CSCC and community policies and notices that may be communicated to Residents from time to time by notices published in any CSCC newsletter, or otherwise posted in the Management Office and/or distributed to Residents. These rules and policies govern Resident’s use, occupancy and care of the Apartment, common areas, and amenities, Resident’s rights and opportunities to be a stockholder and participate in CSCC activities and programs and obligations of stockholders. Failure to comply with any rule, regulation, or Apartment care requirement will constitute a breach of this Lease. CSCC may make changes in its rules, regulations, Resident Handbook and other policies and such changes shall be effective immediately upon publication, posting or other distribution of notice of such change.

12. Resident’s Care and Use of Apartment, Complex and Premises: Resident promises and agrees: (a) to use the Apartment only for residential purposes and not for any business or commercial purpose; (b) to keep the Apartment clean and sanitary; (c) to read and follow any Apartment care rules or guidelines in the Resident Handbook or other CSCC policies; (d) to notify CSCC in writing of any conditions that may cause injury, require repair, or affect the habitability of the Apartment; (e) for Resident and Resident’s guests to refrain from smoking any substance anywhere in the Apartment or any area on the Complex, including parking areas, within the perimeter public sidewalks, and to report to CSCC any violation of the no smoking policy; (f) to make no alterations, changes in decoration, painting or other modifications to the Apartment or common area without CSCC’s prior written consent; (g) Resident shall not add any additional appliances to the Apartment without CSCC’s written consent (washing machines are never allowed) and paying any applicable energy use fee and not to store or keep any additional appliance at the Apartment without CSCC’s written consent; (h) Resident may not keep a waterbed or other water filled furniture without the prior written consent of CSCC. Such consent may be conditioned upon Resident procuring appropriate insurance coverage. Resident will be responsible for any and all damages caused by a waterbed or water filled furniture whether or not consent has been obtained and will be responsible for any applicable deductibles under insurance coverage; (i) except as may be expressly permitted by law, no signs, signals, advertising notices or other lettering may be affixed to or exposed at the window or any part or inside the building; (j) no awning, antenna, wire, or satellite dish may be affixed to or protrude from the building. No satellite dish may be installed in or outside the Apartment without CSCC’s prior written consent; (k) electric cords may not be stretched between units or to equipment or appliances located outside the Apartment (car heaters are not allowed); (l) no patio, decking, or any gardening, structure, or other alteration or improvement may be constructed anywhere on the Complex grounds without CSCC’s consent or otherwise in accordance with CSCC programs or activities for members that may include grounds or common areas; (m) entryways, hallways, stairways and landings may not be used for play or storage area. For fire and safety reasons, they must be kept clear of all personal property at all times; (n) laundry rooms and facilities, and any other common areas, may be used only at times set by CSCC, as such times may be changed from time to time; (o) no rugs, lines or other items may be hung or shaken from the windows, stairways or landings; (p) all trash and garbage must be removed from the Apartment on a regular basis for sanitation and cleanliness purposes and must be placed inside the dumpsters provided. All boxes should be flattened before disposal and any other recycling requirements that may be set forth in the Resident Handbook followed. Large items or any items subject to environmental restrictions or guidelines may not be disposed of in the regular garbage area but must be handled in accordance with any rules that may be set by CSCC or are otherwise provided in the Resident Handbook.

13. Mold and Mildew Prevention and Precautions: Mold, mildew, and fungi are common elements found throughout the indoor and outdoor environment. The presence of these substances in indoor and outdoor air, on the ground, and in soil is common and is not a source of problem or injury to most healthy people. However, certain conditions can permit mold, mildew, and fungi to grow in a way that could be injurious to individuals or to building materials. It is the responsibility of every Resident to maintain the unit so as to provide appropriate climate control, and cleanliness standards, so as to retard and prevent mold and mildew from accumulating in the unit. Undesirable mold, mildew, and fungi growth is associated with excess water accumulation, dampness, humidity, and impediment to airflow. Resident agrees to clean and dust the Apartment on a regular basis and to remove visible moisture accumulation on windows, walls, and other surfaces as soon as reasonably possible. Resident agrees not to block or cover any of the heating, ventilation, or air conditioning ducts in the Apartment. Window coverings should permit ample airflow between the glass and air. Resident agrees to immediately report to CSCC (i) any evidence of a water leak or excessive moisture in the Apartment, as well as in any storage room, garage, or other common area; (ii) any evidence of mold or mildew-like growth that cannot be removed by simply applying a common household cleaner and wiping the area; (iii) any failure or malfunction in the heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system in the Apartment; and (iv) any inoperable doors or windows. Resident will be responsible for any damage to the Apartment or Resident’s property, as well as injury to Resident and members of Resident’s household, resulting from a failure to comply with this paragraph.

14. Pest Control: All Residents are required to assist CSCC in pest control procedures. Your participation in our pest control treatment program is MANDATORY. If your Apartment is not ready when our pest control vendor is treating units, you may be required to pay a retreatment or second visit fee. You are required to comply with all requests for readying your Apartment for pest control treatments which may include emptying cupboards, removing materials from under sinks or vanities, and other requests. Residents are also required to follow any recommendations or treatment control requests of our pest control vendor. Some pests, such as bedbugs, may require Residents to dispose of or professionally clean (at high temperatures or with chemical treatments) personal property and fabrics. Residents are responsible for all costs of treating or removing personal property, furniture, mattresses, and fabrics needed to achieve effective pest control. CSCC will not reimburse or replace personal property that must be treated or eliminated. Failure to follow the requirements of our pest control vendor is a breach of this Lease. Cleanliness and vigilance are the best preventative medicine in controlling pests. Dispose of all garbage and waste. Do not leave food, dirty dishes, or soft drink bottles/cans lying around. Do not bring cardboard boxes, crates, or other materials that may have been accessible to pests into your Apartment. Storage of foodstuffs, grains, or like materials should only be in plastic or metal sealed containers. Be careful bringing luggage and used furniture or property into your Apartment. Some pests, like bedbugs, can hitchhike on you or your belongings. Even the “cleanest” housekeeper may pick-up a bedbug from clothes at a laundry, luggage and travel. Please notify CSCC if you see signs of pests in your apartment or any other place in the building. Failure to promptly notify CSCC of pests in your Apartment is a serious violation of this Lease. Prompt notification to CSCC is necessary to prevent pest infestation and to keep pests from spreading. If CSCC learns that an apartment has had an ongoing pest problem that is not reported, this may be grounds for termination of this Lease, nonrenewal or charging Resident for pest treatments and damages in other units or common areas or lost rents when your Apartment is vacated by you and cannot be immediately occupied by a future tenant. Where it is determined by CSCC based on the professional opinion of its professional pest control provider, or otherwise established by communication with Resident, that the source and cause of a pest problem or infestation was the Resident, or Resident’s guests, then Resident may be charged for all or part of the pest control treatments.

15. Smoke Alarms and Fire Protection: Resident acknowledges that the Apartment is equipped with one or more smoke detectors. State and federal law, local regulations, and codes require that these detectors be installed in specific locations and be functioning at all times. The alarms/detectors in your Apartment may operate on a battery, may require being plugged into an outlet, or may be hard wired into building systems. For alarms/detectors that require a battery, CSCC shall be responsible for providing the functioning battery at the commencement of Resident’s tenancy. As part of the initial inspection and acceptance of the Apartment, and periodically thereafter, Resident shall test the working operation and existence of all alarms/detectors provided to Resident in the Apartment and replace any inoperable or weak battery, which is available from the CSCC in the Management Office. If after replacing any battery, or otherwise testing the alarm/detector, the device will not operate, Resident will immediately inform CSCC in writing of any deficiencies.

Resident will be responsible for the repair, replacement or restoration of any alarm/detector that is missing, damaged or disconnected during the term of Resident’s occupancy or at the end of Resident’s tenancy. Any interference with, disconnecting, removal of batteries, unplugging, covering, transfer, relocation or otherwise tampering with the operation of any smoke detector or carbon monoxide alarm/detector is a breach of this Lease, and could jeopardize the safety of Residents, the buildings, or other persons.

Your Apartment and the building are equipped with fire safety devices including fire extinguishers. Any Resident misuse, damage or destruction to any fire safety device is a breach of this Lease. Resident shall immediately report to CSCC in writing any observations of damage or missing fire safety equipment. Residents are responsible for fire safety in their Apartment and throughout the Complex. Residents shall never leave candles or any luminary object/equipment unattended. Resident should be attentive and at home whenever ovens or stoves are in use. Kitchen fires and smoke damage, including false alarms due to smoke calls, can occur when Residents are not actively monitoring cooking activities. Residents will be responsible for all costs and charges related to any false alarms or smoke calls caused by Resident or Resident’s Apartment use. Residents are responsible/liable for any damage to your Apartment or common areas as a result of fire or smoke caused by negligence, misuse or inattention and for occupancy or housekeeping habits that pose fire safety risks. Keeping flammables, explosives, or other non-household combustible units in your Apartment or any storage area, careless smoking, failure to remove grease and materials from cook-top, oven and exhaust fans, use of worn or overloaded electrical cords and outlets, ownership or storage of excessive amounts of personal property or furnishings that could block access or impede fire safety and rescue efforts, or leaving paper and flammable near any stove, oven, or other heating unit is prohibited.

16. Motorized Vehicles/Equipment: Resident may not store motorized vehicles or equipment using gasoline, kerosene, or other like fuels or oils in the Apartment including but not limited to mopeds, motorcycles, motorized bicycles, lawn mowers, or portable camp stoves, gas grills, or other cooking devices.

17. Animals and Pets: Dogs and cats are not allowed to visit or stay at CSCC. Small caged pets may be allowed subject to the CSCC Pet Policy and the consent of CSCC. Service animals and medically required support animals that are registered with the University’s Office of Disabilities Services will not be subject to limitation on breed and animal type. Residents with Service animals or medically required support animals are expected to follow the provisions of the CSCC Pet Policy as it relates to health and safety issues, animal behavior, cleaning up pet waste, and any damages caused by an animal.

18. Resident Promises: Resident agrees: 1) not to act in a loud, boisterous, unruly or thoughtless manner or disturb the rights of other residents to peace and quiet, or allow his/her guests to do so; 2) to use the Apartment only as a private residence for normal residential purposes, and not in any way that is illegal or dangerous or which would cause a cancellation, restriction or increase in premium in CSCC’s insurance. All commercial and business uses (including daycare) are strictly prohibited without CSCC’s prior written consent; 3) not to lease the Apartment to other persons (sublet), assign this Lease or sell this Lease without prior written consent of CSCC; 4) not to interfere in the management and operation of the Complex; 5) that the Apartment, common areas, or area surrounding the Complex will not be used by the Resident, any member of the Resident’s household, any guest of the Resident, or by anyone acting under his/her control to manufacture, sell, give away, barter, deliver, exchange, distribute, possess or use any illegal drugs; or other controlled substance; or to engage in prostitution or any prostitution related activity; or to unlawfully use or possess any firearm; or to allow any stolen property on the premises; and 6) to refrain from smoking in any internal space, including your Apartment and all other indoor and outdoor common areas of the Complex within the perimeter of the public sidewalk and to make sure your guests and household members refrain from smoking.

19. Agent’s Right To Enter: CSCC and its authorized agents may enter the Apartment at any reasonable time to inspect, maintain or repair the Apartment, or do other necessary work, or to show the Apartment to inspectors, insurance companies, or potential new residents or representatives of University. CSCC acknowledges Resident’s rights under the Tenant’s Right to Privacy Statute which provides CSCC shall make a good faith effort to give Resident reasonable advance notice under the circumstances of CSCC’s intent to enter, subject to the exceptions set forth in the statute. If CSCC enters without prior notice and when the Resident is not present, CSCC shall disclose the entry by placing a written disclosure of the entry in a conspicuous place on the premises. A request by Resident for work, repairs, or service at the Apartment shall constitute notice to Resident that CSCC intends to enter the property for purposes of responding to such request.

20. Parking: Resident and Resident’s guests agree to comply with all of CSCC’s parking rules and registration procedures as stated in the Resident Handbook, as posted, or as otherwise modified from time-to-time. Residents are responsible for moving their vehicles, or arranging their vehicles to be moved, to assist with any parking lot maintenance and snow removal. Unless CSCC’s prior written consent is obtained, only general transportation vehicles such as cars, SUVs, and light duty vehicles are permitted in the Complex parking areas. Parking commercial vehicles, campers, trailers or large trucks or vans is not permitted. CSCC may require proof of ownership of a vehicle as part of its efforts to restrict parking lot use to authorized Residents. All vehicles must have current license plates. Non-operational vehicles are not permitted. Vehicle storage is not permitted. Residents who will be leaving town should make arrangements for their vehicles to be moved should the need arise. Residents that fail to comply with this Lease, or any other parking rules or policies in the Resident Handbook, as posted in the parking area, or that may be adopted by CSCC from time-to-time, are subject to having their vehicles towed and will be responsible for all costs of towing and vehicle retrieval. Residents are responsible for the safety of their vehicles and their contents. CSCC is not responsible for theft, vandalism, or any other type of damage to a vehicle or its contents occurring on the premises.

21. Destroyed or Unlivable Apartment: If the Apartment is destroyed or damaged so it is unfit to live in due to any cause, CSCC may, at its sole option, terminate this Lease with no obligation to transfer or relocate Resident. If the destruction or damage was not Resident’s fault, and CSCC terminates this Lease, rent will be pro-rated as of the date of the destruction or damage and any balance will be refunded to Resident. If destruction or damage to the Apartment is Resident’s fault, then Resident shall be responsible for rent as well as other damages through the date this Lease terminates. If, in CSCC’s discretion, it believes the Apartment can be rebuilt or restored within a reasonable period of time (generally 60 days or less), CSCC may choose to continue this Lease and prorate the rent for the period of time where Resident may not occupy the Apartment. Resident shall be responsible for Resident’s relocation and temporary living costs during such period of rebuilding or restoration.

22. Damage or Injury to Resident or His/Her Property: CSCC shall not be liable for any damage or losses to Resident or Resident’s property unless caused by the willful misconduct of CSCC or CSCC’s agent. CSCC shall not be liable for personal injury to Resident or Resident’s guests or for damage to Resident’s personal property caused by action of third parties or other accidents or casualties, including but not limited to criminal acts, acts of nature, fire, bursting pipes, water, sewer or sewage back-ups, water leaks, seepage, explosions, any casualty or other like causes. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RESIDENT TO OBTAIN “RENTER’S INSURANCE” TO COVER PERSONAL PROPERTY, PERSONAL LIABLITY, ACCIDENT AND OTHER INSURANCE AND MEDICAL COVERAGE TO PROTECT RESIDENT(S) AND RESIDENT’S GUEST(S), RESIDENT’S PERSONAL PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS INSTALLED BY RESIDENT AND TO COVER LIVING AND MOVING EXPENSES IN THE EVENT RESIDENT IS UNABLE TO LIVE IN THE PRESMISES ON A TEMPORARY BASIS OR MUST VACATE DUE TO CASUALTY OR DAMAGE. INSURANCE CARRIED BY CSCC DOES NOT COVER ANY PROPERTY OF RESIDENT OR RESIDENT’S LOST USE OF THE APARTMENT.

23. Acts of Third Parties: CSCC is not responsible for the actions, or for any damages, injury or harm caused by third parties (such as other residents, guests, intruders or trespassers) who are not under CSCC’s control.

24. Reimbursements: Resident shall reimburse CSCC for: 1) any loss, property damage, or cost of repair or service (including plumbing problems) caused by negligence, accident or improper use by Resident, family or guests; 2) any loss or damage caused by doors or windows being left open; 3) all costs CSCC has because of abandonment or extended absence from the Apartment or other violations of the Lease by Resident, such as costs for advertising the Apartment; 4) any amounts owed under any provision of this Lease, such as reimbursement for pest control costs, damages for not reporting water leaks or moisture, etc.; and 5) all court costs and attorney’s fees CSCC has in any suit for eviction, unpaid rent, or any other debt or charge.

25. When Payments Are Due: Rent is due as set forth in paragraph 7. Any other amount owed by Resident is due when CSCC asks for it. CSCC does not give up its right to any money owed by Resident because of CSCC’s failure or delay in asking for any payment. CSCC can ask for any money owed by Resident before or after Resident moves out of the Apartment.

26. Eviction: Under state law, Resident’s right to possession is voided by any activity prohibited in paragraph 18 (5), and CSCC may immediately bring an eviction action against Resident. If Resident violates any other terms of this Lease, CSCC may terminate this Lease and/or demand that Resident immediately gives up possession of the Apartment. If Resident does not move out voluntarily, CSCC shall be entitled to all rights available to it under state law, including without limitation the right to bring an eviction action. If Resident violates a term of this Lease but CSCC does not sue or evict Resident, CSCC may still sue or evict Resident for any other violation of any term of this Lease.

27. Eviction After Partial Payment of Rent: It is expressly agreed to between CSCC and Resident that, pursuant to Minn. Stat. §504B.291, subd.1(c), acceptance by CSCC of less than the full amount of rent due from Resident does not waive CSCC’s right to recover possession of the Apartment for nonpayment by Resident to CSCC.

28. Attorney’s Fees and Enforcement Costs: If CSCC brings any legal action against Resident, Resident must pay CSCC’s actual attorneys’ fees, or other legal fees and expenses including fees paid to a collection agency, expenses, and court costs even if rent is paid after the legal action is started.

29. Agent’s Legal Rights and Remedies: CSCC may use its legal rights and remedies in any combination. By using one or more of these rights or remedies CSCC does not give up any other rights or remedies it may have. Acceptance of rent does not waive CSCC’s right to evict Resident for any past or existing violation of any term of this Lease.

30. False or Misleading Rental Application: If CSCC determines that any oral or written statements made by Resident in the rental application or otherwise, in connection with establishing continued compliance with University’s eligibility requirements are not true or complete in any way, then Resident has violated this Lease and may be evicted.

31. Notices: All Residents agree that notices and demands delivered by CSCC to the Apartment either personally, via United States mail or via recognized overnight courier service are proper notice to all Residents, and are effective as soon as delivered to the Apartment.

32. Lead Disclosure: CSCC hereby discloses that the Complex was built before 1978. Housing built before 1978 may contain lead based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips and dust can pose health hazards if not taken care of properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant woman. CSCC has no records or reports pertaining to lead base paint and/or lead base paint hazards in the Complex. CSCC has a duty to provide to Residents a copy of a pamphlet entitled “Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home” that is published by the Environmental Protection Agency. By signing this Lease Resident acknowledges that the pamphlet has been provided to Resident.

33. Fair Housing: CSCC is an equal opportunity, fair housing provider. CSCC believes all Residents, potential residents, and applicants should be protected from discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, ancestry, sex, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, familial status, status with regard to receipt of public assistance, disability, and affectional preference. Any act or practice believed to constitute discrimination should be reported to CSCC. CSCC will promptly investigate such reports and will take immediate action to eliminate any act or practice that violates the fair housing laws.

34. Attorney General’s Notice: Upon request, the attorney General’s Office will provide you with a statement and disclosure of the significant legal rights of owners and tenants of rental dwelling units. For further information, call or write: Attorney General’s Office–State Capitol–St. Paul, MN 55155–(651) 296-6196.