Leni Cummins is quoted in Habitat Magazine’s Board Operations column discussing changes to house rules. These rules cover general “household” matters, such as noise, recycling, fines, waste disposal, and the use of common areas, and amending them requires only a majority vote of the co-op board. Developments in technology are one reason house rules would be changed. E-bikes have been a contentious topic, particularly due to safety concerns regarding their lithium-ion batteries, prompting discussions about regulations through updated rules.

Another trend is “good citizen rules”, which prohibit anyone in the building from engaging in threatening, harassing, or offensive verbal or physical conduct. Leni recalled a case where a subletter berated a woman in a luxury condo she represents, resulting in the policy being added. Following the enactment of the rule, the board sent a letter to the unit’s owner, stating that the tenant was in breach of the new house rule and that fines would be applied if the behavior did not cease. The subletter also received the letter, and the misconduct immediately stopped. "No one's looking to try to create some kind of a dictatorship in these buildings, but there's got to be standards that can be enforced even with just a lawyer letter that says you're violating something," said Leni, adding that some people will not shift their behavior simply because they are asked. "They need something a little bit more."

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