The Haibane in general are bound by certain rules set forth by the Haibane Renmei. They are allowed possessions they make themselves, or which the townsfolk have cast aside, and thus must wear used clothing and make use of discarded or donated items. Their "nests" (where they first appear and thereafter live) are always long-abandoned buildings (the two seen are Old Home—a dormitory—and Abandoned Factory). They are only allowed to work in the oldest buildings and obtain groceries from the oldest shops. They are not allowed to handle money. Instead, they are each given a notebook by the Haibane Renmei, the pages of which they use as scrip to pay for food and used goods. They are not allowed to linger near or touch the city walls.