Home/House Rules
House Rules
Part of your Occupancy Agreement (Annexure 1). If anything here differs from your signed agreement, the agreement prevails.
In these rules
- Lock all doors and windows whenever you go out.
- Don't leave personal belongings in communal areas — CDA is not responsible for them, and you're responsible for insuring your own belongings.
- Report any damage to the premises by email as soon as you become aware of it.
- If you cause a breakage, tell us. If nobody does, all occupants may be charged equally for the repair.
- Never change, remove or install any lock or security device without CDA's prior written approval — CDA may restore the original lock at your cost.
- Most common areas have 24-hour CCTV for security. Bedrooms and bathrooms are never monitored; footage is accessed only for security, incident or legal purposes.
Keys & lockouts
Lost key: $70. Locked out? A CDA staff call-out costs $150, or hire a locksmith at your own expense.
- Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is prohibited inside the house, in rooms and on balconies. Outdoor areas only — dispose of butts responsibly.
- Smoking indoors means paying for professional smoke removal ($200–$600).
- If smoke alarms or sprinklers are triggered by smoking, incense or unattended heaters, the Fire Brigade call-out fee (up to $1,500) is charged to you.
- Drugs are strictly prohibited. Possession of illicit substances means termination of your agreement.
- Small gatherings (under 10 people, guests included) are allowed 9 AM – 10 PM. Large gatherings (10+) are prohibited.
- You're fully responsible for cleaning after any event — otherwise a $170 cleaning fee applies to all occupants involved.
- Guests must leave by 10 PM.
- Overnight guests need express permission from CDA, plus a $50 additional occupancy fee for that week (Mon–Sun) regardless of nights. Share your guest's name, phone and email.
- Guests staying more than 7 days must sign their own agreement and pay rent.
- Nobody sleeps in communal areas — occupants or guests.
- Complaints from housemates, neighbours, council or police caused by you or your guests may lead to a termination notice.
Can my guest stay over?
- Cleaning supplies (dishwashing liquid, toilet paper, bin liners) are not supplied by CDA.
- Wash, dry and put away dishes immediately after every use — no dirty dishes in shared spaces or your room.
- Kitchen items are communal: clean and return them after use.
- Everyone shares cleaning of the living room, courtyards, hallways, stairs, bathrooms, kitchen and house front. We recommend a roster — ask us for suggestions.
- Routine inspections check house cleanliness. If inadequate, you have 24 hours to fix it; otherwise a $170 cleaner fee is split among occupants.
- No cleaning between 10 PM and 8 AM (noise).
- Keep your bedroom clean. Signs of smoking or unhygienic conditions at inspection can mean termination (1 week notice) plus cleaning and deodorisation charges from your deposit.
Sort rubbish into the correct bin — council fines for illegal dumping may be charged to occupants, and uncollected bins mean a rubbish removal fee.
| Bin lid | What goes in |
|---|---|
| 🟡 Yellow | Recycling — clean paper, cardboard, glass bottles, cans, hard plastics |
| 🔴 Red | General waste — food scraps, soft plastics, non-recyclables |
| 🟢 Green | Garden waste — leaves, grass, small branches |
| 🔵 Blue | Paper & cardboard (where provided by your council) |
- Take bins out and bring them in according to your house schedule.
- Report missing or damaged bins via the maintenance form.
- Check your local council website for detailed sorting instructions.
- Exhaust fans MUST be on when showering, cooking, doing laundry or drying clothes.
- Open windows and doors when weather permits (mind security).
- Don't use heaters excessively.
- Report any mould immediately after arrival via the maintenance form.
- Extra cleaning caused by poor ventilation or excessive heater use is charged to you; CDA doesn't reimburse cleaning products used on mould.
- Your Condition Report records the room's state at move-in, including that it's free of bed bugs.
- You have 7 days from your start date to check your bed, room and common areas and report any issue to hello@cdacoliving.com. No response = room accepted as described.
- Bed bugs found after the 7-day window are presumed introduced during your stay (unless you show otherwise) — treatment costs go to the occupants of the affected room.
- Keep your room tidy to avoid infestations.
- Never bring furniture, beds or appliances found on the street into the property. Used items brought in make you responsible for pest control and disposal costs.
This one matters — there have been real fire-hazard close calls, and only certain appliances are approved by our insurers.
| ✅ Permitted | ❌ Not permitted |
|---|---|
| Pedestal fans (cooling) | Fan heaters |
| Oil-column heaters (heating) | Portable air conditioners |
| Portable electric panel heaters | |
| Radiant heaters |
- CDA doesn't provide heating or cooling appliances in rooms.
- Unpermitted heaters or air-conditioning units are immediately confiscated, no questions asked.
- Maintenance caused by non-permitted heaters is charged to you.
- In-house air-conditioning units require CDA approval before use — unauthorised use can make you solely liable for excess electricity costs.
- If in doubt, ask us first.
- The washing machine is available to all occupants — don't leave clothes in it after your load finishes.
- CDA provides basic appliances only (typically fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster, washing machine and basic kitchenware). What's recorded on your move-in Condition Report is what's provided at your property.
- CDA repairs or replaces its own appliances for normal wear and tear; damage from misuse is charged at the item's depreciated value.
- Where dryers are provided: clean the lint filter after every use — damage from not doing so counts as misuse.
- Clothes racks are allowed only inside bedrooms and laundry rooms — never in hallways, living rooms or kitchens.
- Bikes go in the front or back yard — never inside the property or bedrooms.
- CDA takes no responsibility for theft or damage — your equipment is your responsibility.
- E-bike battery safety: follow the manufacturer's charging instructions, use the correct outlet, never modify batteries or chargers, and never leave charging batteries unattended.
- Property damage from battery misuse or negligence is your financial responsibility.
- Wi-Fi is included, offered primarily for communication, work and study.
- CDA makes no warranty on connection speed or coverage throughout the premises.
- Gaming consoles are allowed, but their use is secondary — if the house experiences slow speeds, console use may be restricted.
- "Andy" is CDA's official corporate WhatsApp account (not a personal account) — announcements and house info are broadcast there.
- Maintenance requests: cdacoliving.info/Maintenance or hello@cdacoliving.com — this keeps everything documented and tracked.
- Move-out notice: 4 weeks in advance, in writing, via the Move-Out Form or email to hello@cdacoliving.com.
- Rent: pay by the agreed method and on time; payment questions go to hello@cdacoliving.com.
Next guide
Living at CDA — maintenance, rent & transfers
CDA Coliving