Witham Employee Housing Policies
Eligibility
Only full-time employees that are working at least 32 hours per week, and that are 18 years of age or older are eligible for employee housing. Witham Family Hotels does not offer couple or family housing.
Eligibility for occupancy automatically ends upon termination of employment with the company. This Housing Agreement is non-transferrable.
Term
HOUSING IS TEMPORARY-The term of this Housing Agreement shall begin on the “check-in date” set forth above and applies as long as the employee is both employed by and living in Witham Family Hotels’ employee housing. Please note that employee housing is meant to be TEMPORARY. Subletting your room and/or unit is never allowed. No exceptions.
Security Deposit/Non-Refundable Incidental Fee
Each employee is required to pay a refundable $100-$200, depending on housing status, security deposit, and a non-refundable $50 incidental fee. These amounts need to be paid in one lump sum, or in 6 weekly deductions from the employee’s paycheck.
Witham Family Hotels reserves the right to withhold the security deposit, if the employee breaks or violates the terms of this Housing Agreement.
A final inspection will be conducted upon each employee vacating the premises. The security deposit will be returned only if the assigned room/living quarters are left in a satisfactory condition, all keys are returned, and all personal items are removed from the housing unit.
Rent Payment
Rent will be deducted directly from the employee’s Witham Family Hotels’ paycheck on a weekly basis. Should the employee’s paycheck not cover the rent, the employee will have 7 days to pay their rent. After 7 days, a penalty of $5 per day that the rent is late will apply.
Vacating
The housing must be vacated within
48 hours after termination of this agreement.
No exceptions.
Room Assignment Policy
Each employee MUST occupy the housing unit/room that is assigned to them. Requests for a specific unit, room or roommate will be considered, but are NOT guaranteed. Room changes are NOT PERMITTED, unless prior approval by the Housing Coordinator. Unauthorized changes may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of the Housing Agreement as determined at the sole discretion of Witham Family Hotels. We reserve the right to relocate any employee responsible for a disruptive environment. Management reserves the right to consolidate housing and reassign employees to a new unit, at any given time.
Utilities
Utilities included in rent are: water and sewer, electricity, gas/propane/oil, heat, and Internet. All utilities may be used only for normal household purposes and must not be wasted. Witham Family Hotels reserves the right to raise the weekly rent if the cost for utilities go above and beyond normal usage. Each employee will be billed for excessive usage. The use of an air conditioner must be approved by the Housing Coordinator prior to installation. An additional $10.00 per week will be added to the cost of weekly rent for use of such an appliance to offset electric costs.
Keys and Locks
One set of keys (main door of the unit and bedroom door) will be provided to each employee upon signature of this agreement. A re-keying fee of $15.00 will be charged for the replacement of any lost keys. Upon vacating the premises, the complete set of keys must be returned to the Housing Coordinator. It is the employee’s responsibility to return the keys and notify the Housing Coordinator that they will be leaving and to schedule an inspection. The security deposit will ONLY be refunded if the keys are returned and there is an inspection completed. Due to safety and maintenance concerns, Employees are not allowed to change doorknobs and locks. You are also not permitted to add locks.
Noise/Quiet Hours/Guests
Noise and voices must be kept at an appropriate level to respect neighbors and coworkers. Quiet hours are from 9pm to 7am. No visitors or guests are allowed in housing after 9pm. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Guests must be at least 18 years of age. Employees MUST always accompany their guests. No parties are permitted in or around employee housing at any time. The use of any appliances (washer/dryer, stove, microwave, etc.) or bathrooms serving the housing unit is reserved for employees only.
Smoking/Drug Policy/Alcohol
Smoking is NOT allowed inside employee housing. Drugs and drug paraphernalia are strictly prohibited in housing and on premises. Any individual found to be in possession will be immediately evicted. Drinking alcoholic beverages is only permitted if the employee is over 21 years of age (legal age to purchase and consume alcohol in Maine).
Fire Safety/Firearms/Weapons
Burning of candles, oil lamps, incense, etc. is strictly prohibited due to fire safety concerns. Firearms, knives or dangerous weapons are strictly prohibited in housing and on premises. Any individual found to be in possession of a dangerous weapon will be immediately evicted. It is strictly prohibited to disable or tamper with smoke detectors.
Furniture/Pets
It is prohibited to move Witham Family Hotels’ furniture in or out of housing, or in or out of its assigned room. Unauthorized removal of furniture will constitute a theft. Employees are not allowed to make any alterations to their room or common areas. Pets of any kind are prohibited in housing. Any individual found to be in possession of an animal in housing will face possible eviction.
Trash Disposal
Each employee is responsible of making sure the trash is properly disposed of. Trash must be secured in tightly closed bags before being placed in the outside trash cans or dumpsters. Littering is not acceptable, and loose garbage is not authorized in the outside containers. Cigarette butts should also be disposed of adequately and not thrown on the ground. The waste removal company will only pick-up securely closed trash bags. The bags must be placed in the proper container, not in front or on top.
Housing Inspection
Unannounced housing checks of each room and living quarters will be conducted as needed. These inspections are conducted by management to ensure safety, room upkeep, cleanliness, and to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions of this Housing Agreement. Failure to maintain and clean your room/living quarters may result in eviction from Witham Employee Housing. Housing inspections may occur on any day, at any time, and will be conducted by persons selected at the sole discretion of management.
Room Care And Room Damage
Employees are responsible for cleaning (inside and outside) and maintaining their assigned housing in satisfactory living conditions. Employees are expected to clean up after themselves, and to participate in the cleaning of all common areas. Each room must be kept clean and orderly. Employees agree to pay and will be charged for damages such as holes in the walls, soiled or stained carpets, cigarette burns, odors, paint spilling, etc. All cleaning and repair charged will be deducted from the residents final Paycheck/ Security Deposit. All damages MUST be reported to the Housing Coordinator in a timely manner. If the employee failed to report the problem, all employee will be held responsible for any violation. Employees are responsible for leaving their assigned housing clean and in good condition at the time of departure.
Personal Property
Witham Employee Housing is intended for sleeping and storing a limited number of personal items. Do not store cash or items of value in your room. Witham Family Hotels is NOT responsible for lost, damaged or stolen property. Employees should always keep their door locked. All personal items left in housing after the employee has vacated will be disposed of.