A guest is anyone a member has over (henceforth called their sponsor). If that guest has someone over, that guest will also be considered a guest of that guest’s sponsor. Sponsors are responsible for the actions of their guests. For someone to have a non-member stay overnight at Sofia more than 3 times in one month or more than 3 nights in a row, a member must be their tenancy sponsor and have them complete Sofia’s short-term tenancy agreement which must be signed by the Sofia membership coordinator, the sponsor, and the short-term tenant (also considered a guest of that sponsor) in which responsibilities and rates are established. 

If the Sofia membership coordinator refuses to approve a short-term tenancy, the prospective sponsor may attempt to override this decision by successfully petitioning written commitments (in paper or electronically) in approval of the short-term tenancy by a majority of current members. 

Any member may request an early end vote to a guest’s stay at a house meeting or via the written approval of a majority of members which if successful means the guest must leave within 48 hours of that vote. 

If a guest is staying at the house unpermitted or is in violation of their short-term tenancy contract, the Sofia membership coordinator may deliver consequences to their sponsoring member as well, including requesting a contract termination on behalf of Sofia Co-op.

Banned Persons List

Additionally, some individuals cannot be guests at Sofia at all, meaning they cannot be on the property at all. There is a Banned from house list upon which individuals on it cannot be brought into the house under any circumstances. This list consists of all individuals voted onto it as well as all former Sofia members whose contract with MCC was terminated for non-rent reasons. Individuals can be voted off of this list with a supermajority of ⅔ of all current members. 

If a member lets someone on our or MCC's banned persons list into the house, the Sofia membership coordinator may pursue punitive measures with the facilitating member, including contract/membership termination.