GHI’s Board of Directors recently amended the Member Handbook to reflect changes approved during 2018 Board meetings. Paper copies of the updated pages were delivered to members beginning last month.
I compared the pages with the handbook I’ve been updating since I moved to GHI in June 2013 and list the changes I found below. Please note that I hand-typed this list so I welcome your corrections or additions.
One of the most interesting changes pertains to new members. The amendment removed the provision under which GHI would repair free of charge (and with several exceptions) any deficiency reported to GHI within 1 month of settlement.
You can view the entire handbook online (click on the green links I. Member Information and II. Rules & Regulations) but the PDF does not yet seem to include the October 2018 amendments.
https://www.ghi.coop/content/ghi-members-handbook-greenbook
BEGIN NOTES
Comparing new page 7 with previous page 7
This sentence was not edited but is reprinted in bold type to add emphasis:
“Members are urged to contact their insurance agent for specifics and to obtain HO-6 or similar coverage which will protect their possessions.”
In the list of property maintenance for which MEMBERS are responsible:
Comparing new page 32-18 with previous page 32-91
previous: “2. Window glass, including the seals between panes on insulated glass, screens, shutters, and door glass.”
now: “2. Window glass, including the seals between panes on insulated glass on windows installed prior to the 2016-2020 Homes Improvement Program (HIP), non-standard windows and doors installed by members, window treatments, screens, shutters, and door glass.”
previous: “3. Ranges, refrigerators, washers, dryers, garbage disposals, are (sic) conditioners, and any additional appliances.”
now: “3. Air conditioners, furnaces and exhaust fans (except for those in the 29 larger homes), heat pumps (except for those enrolled in GHI’s maintenance reserve program or still under a HIP Optional Items installation warranty), ventilation fans, wood stoves and fireplaces, ranges, range hoods, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dryer vents, garbage disposals in frame and masonry homes, and any additional appliances.
previous: “4. Kitchen and medicine cabinets.”
now: “4. Kitchen and medicine cabinets that are not original to the structure.”
previous: “8. Smoke Detectors.”
now: “8. Smoke detectors (other than those provided and installed by GHI) and carbon monoxide detectors (except for those installed by GHI in the 29 larger homes).
previous: “9. Telephone and cable television lines.”
now: “9. Telephone, internet and cable television wiring and equipment.”
Comparing new page 33-18 with previous page 32-91
added: “10. Ceiling finishes other than drywall in frame homes, larger townhouses and single-family homes and plaster in masonry homes.”
added: “11. Pull-down attic stairs”
added: “12. Exterior painting of masonry homes in accordance with the GHI painting policy (see XI).
added: “13. Sheds, trash containers and enclosures (except the original trash closets in the frame and masonry homes), fences, patios, decks, arbors, pergolas, privacy screens, ponds, fire pits, and retaining walls not installed by GHI.”
added: “14. Gardenside exterior light fixtures and all exterior electrical outlets.”
Comparing new page 33-18 with previous page 33-91
previous: “14. Al (sic) repairs made necessary by the negligence of the member or by persons living in or visiting the residence.”
now: “17. All repairs made necessary by the negligence of the member or by the negligence of persons living in or visiting the residence.”
In the list of property maintenance for which GHI is responsible:
previous: “5. Flooring, steps, and sub flooring in all homes, as well as original tile in masonry and larger homes.”
now: “5. Flooring, steps, and subflooring in all homes, as well as original asbestos floor tile in masonry and larger homes. Original black floor tiles in masonry homes contain non-friable asbestos; staff should be consulted before disturbing them.”
Comparing new page 34-18 with previous page 33-91
previous: “8. Exterior and trash closet doors, original screen doors, door locks, weather-stripping, and door knobs.”
now: “8. Exterior and trash closet doors and door frames, original screen doors, door locks, weather-stripping, and door knobs.”
Comparing new pages 34-18 and 35a-18 with previous page 34-04
previous: “16. Pest and Rodent control.”
now: “16. Pest and Rodent control. Rodenticides may not be put out by members.”
previous: “18. Servicing and repair (but not replacement) of air-to-air heat exchanger.”
now: “18. Servicing and repair (but not replacement) of air-to-air heat exchangers in masonry block homes.”
added to paragraph C2. “… or original items that are obsolete or not replaceable.”
changed “parts” to “components” in paragraph C2.
previous: “3. On units purchased after 1988 the staff supplies the member with a list of improvements and non-standard parts and fixtures which are excluded from GHI maintenance.”
now: “3. At resale of a unit, staff supplies the new member with a list of improvements and non-standard parts and fixtures which are excluded from GHI maintenance.”
In the section “Minimum Use & Maintenance Standards”
Comparing new page 35b-18 with previous page 35-02
changed section from “Minimum Use and Maintenance Standards-Homes and Yards” to “Minimum Use & Maintenance Standards”
removed paragraph “New members should be aware that GHI will repair free of charge, with several exceptions, any deficiency reported to GHI within 1 month of settlement, including items listed below. Contact GHI for further details.”
removed “1. Interior walls and ceilings shall be clean and painted, paneled, or papered and in good condition. No chipping, peeling or flaking paint is allowed. This is especially important as the presence of lead paint may exist in GHI homes. More information is available from GHI.”
added “or balusters…” in item A3.
previous: “A10. All GHI homes must have at least 1 working smoke detector. In a two-story dwelling, a working smoke detector shall be installed on or around the ceiling area of the second floor landing. If located on the ceiling, the smoke detector must be spaced a minimum of four (4) inches from any side wall. If located on the side wall, the top of the smoke detector must be a minimum of four (4) inches or a maximum of twelve (12) inches from the ceiling.
now: A9. All GHI homes must have working 10-year lithium ion smoke detectors compliant with the State of Maryland’s Smoke Alarm Law. At the date of this section, required locations are:
For one bedroom and single floor units: one smoke alarm in hall outside of bedroom door.
For two-story units: one smoke alarm on each floor, including hallway outside of bedroom doors, i.e. a total of two smoke alarms.
For three-story units: one smoke alarm on each floor, including hallway outside of bedroom doors, i.e. a total of three smoke alarms
If located on the ceiling, the smoke detector must be spaced a minimum of four (4) inches from any side wall. If located on the side wall, the top of the smoke detector must be a minimum of four (4) inches or a maximum of twelve (12) inches from the ceiling.
Comparing new page 37a-18 with previous page 37-05
previous: “8. A lawn must be cut before it exceeds a height of 8 inches.”
now: “8. A lawn must be cut before it exceeds a height of 10 inches.”
previous: “9. All shrubs, hedges, and plantings shall be planted and maintained in accordance with Section V.D.”
now: “9. All shrubs, hedges, and plantings shall be trimmed in accordance with Section V.D.”
previous: “14. …. Members are also required to prevent the spread of creeping invasive vegetation outside their yard boundaries and maintain a minimum thirty [30] foot buffer from their rear yard line.”
now: “14. …. Members are also required to prevent the spread of creeping invasive vegetation to beyond their yard boundaries and maintain a minimum thirty [30] foot buffer between any such vegetation and their rear yard line.”
Comparing new page 37b-18 with previous page 37a-05
previous: “20. …. firewood must be neatly stacked no less than six (6) inches from the ground and at least 10′ from the building.”
now: “20. …. firewood not exceeding one cord (a stack 4′ high, 4′ wide and 8′ long), must be neatly stacked no less than six (6) inches from the ground and at least 10′ from the building.”
Comparing new page 52-18 with previous page 52-12
added “5. Structures shall not be allowed in GHI common areas, including parking areas.”
END NOTES
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