[Go to Previous Section] [Return to Laurel House FAQ Introduction] [Go to Next Section]
14.1 How is the house maintained?
The house is maintained by a combination of house labor and professional contractors. The house maintenance coordinator is responsible for making sure that all the rooms and public spaces in the house are properly maintained. Small problems (burned out light bulbs, leaky showers, repainting, etc.) are fixed by members who are assigned maintenance labor by the maintenance coordinator. Bigger projects (plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc.) are worked on by professional contractors who are paid out of the house maintenance budget.
14. 2 Can I remodel my room?
Yes, within reason. All changes made to rooms are subject to approval by the house director and College Houses. Generally you may repaint all or part of your room and the house will provide the paint if you provide the labor. If you make unapproved changes, you will be required either to return the room to its previous state or be billed for the cost of doing so.
14. 3 Does Laurel House ever have problems with insects? What is the policy concerning insect eradication?
The house contracts with an exterminator to come and spray the house
regularly. Residents may request that their rooms not be sprayed if
they do not wish to have their rooms entered. There were termites in
some ground floor rooms in 1907 a few years ago, but considering the
age of the building, that was not surprising. They have since been
eliminated and have not returned. Fleas and cockroaches have been
known to exist around the co-op but they rarely enter the
buildings. The house works very hard to keep the rooms and public
spaces (especially the kitchen) free from all bugs and rodents.
[Go to Previous Section] [Return to Laurel House FAQ Introduction] [Go to Next Section]
Laurel House Co-op / Austin, Texas, USA / last updated 30 March 2005