“the thing that jumped out at me is that they are threatening to evict residents if they don’t wear masks in common areas”

Photo by Clif Burns

“Dear PoPville,

I received this email from my apartment building’s management. The stuff about amenities is not new, but the thing that jumped out at me is that they are threatening to evict residents if they don’t wear masks in common areas or if they have guests over. Besides that there’s nothing I can see in the lease that allows this, evictions are illegal right now (for 60 days until the end of the public health emergency). Management has not laid out an exceptions for people who have difficulty putting on masks due to a disability, or for children, and haven’t laid out exceptions for people with essential guests (caretakers and the like). This is a Bozzuto building; it would be interesting to know if other Bozzuto residents have gotten notices like this?

Dear Valued Residents,

We hope everyone is staying safe and well during these trying times. As you are aware, we sent out communication last week in regards to our new community policies as we begin to re-open our community amenities. Please see below a friendly reminder of some of these key changes to ensure the safety of all in the community.

All residents must follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC, which recommends wearing a face covering in public as well as maintaining social distancing.
For the safety of residents and our team, the rooftop is open only for the use of residents at this time – no guests will be permitted.
Do not move the furniture, it has been strategically repositioned to allow for social distancing guidelines to be met.
Please limit the grills to one household at a time. Please clean the interior and exterior of the grills after every use. Grill tools will not be available at this time.
You are not permitted to bring any furniture to the rooftop.

It has been brought to our attention that some residents are not adhering to all of these requirements specifically that of wearing a face covering while in common areas of the building and no guest policy. Please be advised, although the CDC only recommends the use of a face covering Bozzuto is implementing this as a requirement at our sites in the common spaces. Please understand that the failure to follow such restrictions (for example, by failing to follow social distancing protocols, failing to wear proper protective equipment, or improperly accessing to common area facilities) may risk the health and safety of others in the community. A failure to comply with directives or restrictions related to a public health or other emergency is a breach of the lease and may lead to lease termination. We reserve the right to deny access for persons refusing to abide by new required guidelines. As management, it is our responsibility to enforce these standards. Continued failure to follow such protocols will result in management making the hard decision to keep all amenity spaces closed until further notice. We hope that everyone works together and understands that our main priority is the safety and well-being of all residents and staff members.

Resident’s Compliance. To ensure the safety of all in the community during a public health or other emergency, Residents (“you”) and Management (“we”) must work together in a cooperative and respectful manner. You agree to follow and comply with any directive or restriction from us and/or governmental authorities. You understand that the failure to follow such restrictions (for example, by failing to follow social distancing protocols, failing to wear proper protective equipment, or improperly accessing to common area facilities) may risk the health and safety of others in the community. A failure to comply with directives or restrictions related to a public health or other emergency is a breach of the lease and may lead to lease termination. We reserve the right to deny access for persons refusing to abide by new required guidelines, inclusive of the need to close an amenity space.

You understand that we can make no guarantee or promise of safety during a public health or other emergency. Specifically, and without limitation, You assume the risk of your use of common areas or amenity spaces. Our decision to reopen common areas is not a representation of the safety of using such common areas, and you understand that we cannot make any such representation. Despite our best efforts, it may be impossible to prevent damage or disruption to the community during a public health or other emergency (including without limitation the transmission of disease). You acknowledge that we have made no promise and assumed no duty regarding its conduct during a public health or other emergency.

We thank you in advance for your personal commitment to adhering to all community guidelines and in doing your part to safeguard yourself, your neighbor and your Senate Square Management Team.

With Gratitude,

Senate Square Management Team”