Frequently Asked Questions

How does cohousing differ from co-ops, communes, etc?

The big differences are privacy and financial autonomy. Cohousing consists of individual private units arranged so that their residents can easily share activities and facilities with their neighbors, but still have their own independent, fully-equipped quarters.

How does cohousing differ from ordinary condominium developments?

Design, self-governance, and shared resources differentiate cohousing. Cohousing units are designed collaboratively by the residents and design professionals. Cohousing communities decide on their own form of self-governance and make their own rules; they are not under the authority of any outside developer or management company. Owners of cohousing units share ownership of facilities such as the common house and the grounds.

What will MVCC members own when the project’s complete?

Each participating household will own their own condominium. In addition, each will also have a partial interest in the common house, the land and the other shared amenities.

What will be the governing body of MVCC?

When the project has been completed and residents begin to purchase and move into their units, a Homeowners Association (HOA) will be established to which all members will belong. This will be the governing body for the community— it will adopt legal CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions); make rules for the day-to-day functioning of the community, primarily by consensus; will decide upon and assess HOA dues; and will be the forum for dealing with any conflicts, opportunities, or new legal or other developments in the wider Mountain View community.

Can I sell my condominium if I decide to leave MVCC?

Yes, you can. Each unit will be an individual piece of private property, which can be sold on the open market. The HOA will want to meet prospective buyers, introduce them to members of the community, and help them become acquainted, but you retain responsibility for the sale. As in any condominium association, all purchasers agree to abide by the HOA rules and processes. Because there is considerable demand for cohousing and the supply is limited, we believe it will be easy to sell units to people who are eager to live there; they may even be willing to pay a premium to do so.

Can I rent out my condominium if I will not be living in it?

We do not yet have formal rules regarding renting. Typically, condominium developments seek to maintain the home-ownership model by restricting the number or percentage of units that can be rented, for example limiting rentals to 10% or 15% of all units. We expect that a similar sort of limit will be defined in the MVCC CC&Rs. It is also possible that some of the households will rent out their units on a short-term basis (e.g., for a few weeks or months) when they are away on extended vacations or sabbaticals. It is likely that other members will want to take advantage of these short-term rentals as opportunities to have their own friends and relatives stay nearby if they make extended visits.

What is shared in the community?

Each household’s residential unit is private property, just as it would be in any condominium cluster. In addition, all households share use of the common areas of the grounds and gardens, and of the Common House, including its various special rooms, such as workshop, media center, exercise room, laundry, and so on. Each household is a member of the HOA (home-owners association), and participates in the governance of the community. Households share responsibility for the common costs, such as maintenance, utilities, insurance for shared areas, and for maintaining a reserve fund. The group as a whole will work out how to handle chores, maintenance activities, or expenses —and also its communal social and recreational activities.

Will members eat meals together?

As in all cohousing communities, sharing some of our meals will be a central part of the community experience. But we’ve not yet decided on the frequency, the format, or the various roles we’ll play in taking part. Come join us now and participate in those decisions!

Will there be options for vegetarians and vegans at the common meals?

We expect that, as in most cohousing communities, shared meals will include a vegetarian option.

Are the condominiums complete residences?

Yes, every condo is a complete living space, with a full kitchen, two or more bedrooms, two or more baths and hookups for one’s own washer and dryer.

Where are the laundry facilities?

Members will be able to choose whether to do laundry in their own unit or in shared equipment in the common house. Every unit will have hookups for a washer and dryer, but this equipment is optional. There will be one or two large washers and dryers in the common house; some individuals may use these for all of their laundry while others may elect to use them occasionally, for large loads, or never.

Will children live at MVCC?

The MVCC facilities are being designed for adults; they won’t include a playground, play equipment, play room, teen room, or other special facilities for children. However, there are local parks and other places in the wider neighborhood with amenities for children. Landels Elementary School immediately abuts the MVCC property. Many members of MVCC will probably be parents, with children in their teens or older; some will be grandparents. We expect that the MVCC community will include some children, whether as residents or as intermittent visitors.

Will pets be allowed?

Both cats and dogs will be allowed. Dogs must be restrained at all times when in any of the common areas, inside or out. Pets are not permitted in the main part of the common house. Residents of each first floor unit will have access to their own enclosed outside yard that may be suitable for a dog. Other details of the pet policy will be determined by the MVCC members at a later date.

How do the sales prices compare to other options?

This is a condominium-style cohousing development; there are no others that are exactly comparable in the nearby area. Other condominium developments of this size do not have a large common house and common land; nor do they have the mutually supportive environment of cohousing. However, the projected price per square foot of the units is roughly comparable to that in some other recently built condominium complexes in Mountain View and Palo Alto.

What will the condominium fees be?

They will probably be in the range of $400-$550 per month, which is comparable to those of other condominium associations. The fees will cover insurance on all the structures and the common areas (everything except the insides of the private units); decoration, furnishing, repairs and maintenance of all the common facilities and systems (including heating, hot water, and solar panels); common-facility utilities; landscaping; etc.

How much will the utilities cost?

MVCC members will pay for their own utilities. The experience of those in other cohousing facilities over several decades has shown that cost of utilities is typically considerably lower in cohousing than in other types of developments because of the type of construction, shared efficiencies, extra insulation, and the behavior patterns of typical cohousing inhabitants. We plan to have enough solar panels to provide much of our electrical needs.

What are the green design, sustainability and environmentally-conscious features?

MVCC and our architects are highly environmentally conscious. We plan to have grey-water capture, roof-water capture, shared recycling and composting, reflective roof, ceiling fans, double-glazed windows, passive solar design, separate temperature control devices for zones within the individual units and the common house, chargers for electric vehicles, bicycle storage facilities, organic garden, composting, etc. The location, within walking distance of the downtown area, shopping, and public transportation, will facilitate walking and bicycling, rather than automobile use.

What are other financial responsibilities of members?

Members will be responsible for furnishing, decorating, and maintaining their own private units. They will have to pay for personal homeowner’s insurance, if they choose to have it.

What reasons do people give for joining a project such as this?

Probably the most important is the desire to be in a stable, community-type setting of friendly, like-minded people who value neighborliness and care about each other. Other reasons expressed by members include: “This feels like family —a good family— already. When any of us have problems, others are interested and want to help.”  . . .  “What a bunch of interesting people— we have great conversations.”  . . .  “ We have fun together.”  . . .  “I’m tired of maintaining a single-family house and yard; I’d rather share the responsibility with others. But I love Mountain View, and want to stay here.”  . . .  “I’m learning from the others and getting interested in things I had never considered doing before, like joining a book club.”  . . .  “Sometimes I want someone with whom I can just hang out, do crafts, or watch a movie.”

Will there be extra storage space?

The units in MVCC will be fairly large, as cohousing units go, with reasonable closet space. There will also be some private storage space in the garage area. We are also planning to have some visually-accessible, but locked, storage space for items that households may want to share with each other, such as coolers, tents, camping gear, and recreational equipment. There will also be a bicycle storage facility. Because we will have extensive shared facilities (for example, the media room, exercise space, or a workshop with shared equipment and tools) individual households will probably have less need to store duplicate items —after all, how many band saws or elliptical trainers can 19 neighbors need?

Where will the parking be?

Parking for residents will be entirely underground, with approximately two spaces per household. There’ll be an elevator from the garage to each floor of the main building.

Is there an age limit?

There is no age limit for membership in MVCC. However, our current members are “Baby Boomers” or older. We’d be pleased to widen the age range.

What is the difference between MVCC and a retirement community?

• A number of the current members are working full time, and are not retired.
• MVCC members are independent and self-governing; they stay actively involved and contribute to creating a life of their own choosing. There are no concierge services.
• Residents of a retirement community, on the other hand, are in a setting designed by others for their care and comfort, within the bounds of rules and routines created by others.
• Living in MVCC will not be like moving into a hotel; MVCC members will live in their own condominium-style houses, within a cluster.
• Many retirement communities have associated assisted living facilities. MVCC will not. We do plan to have a small apartment that could be used for a resident caregiver, if one should be necessary at some time in the future.

Will there be universal design for those with physical limitations?

We plan to use “universal design” throughout the common areas and the individual units. This will include lever openers for doors; wheelchair-accessible doorways, bathrooms, and kitchens; elevator access to the garage, all three living levels and all floors of the common house; and other accommodations for people with physical limitations.

Is this is a religious or spiritual community?

No. We are a group of independent-minded people who happen to want to live near other compatible people. Membership is not restricted to those of any particular faith, spirituality, or philosophical persuasion.

Is smoking prohibited?

Smoking is prohibited throughout the buildings and grounds, including both public and private areas, indoors and out.

Is this community suitable for people with allergies and/or chemical sensitivities?

We hope so, but we can’t guarantee it. The use of building materials that release volatile organics will be minimized. The landscaping will not include plants that are recognized as common allergens. Although the community will attempt to make reasonable accommodations for particular needs, MVCC cannot be responsible for ensuring that any individual will be protected from all substances to which they might have an adverse reaction.