Tenant Responsibilities

Tenants have responsibilities, just like their landlords. Return of a security deposit is just one of the things at risk if tenants don't take responsibility for the property they rent. Here are a few tips:
  • Take an inventory of the premises within 5 days of occupancy. Keep a written copy that has been signed by both landlord and tenant.
  • Keep your home clean, including floors and walls.
  • Dispose of trash in provided garbage cans or dumpsters, not the street or yard.
  • Take trash cans to the curb for trash collection day, then roll them back off the curb after trash has been collected.
  • Keep exits and stairways free of furniture, bicycles and other items. You may need to escape quickly in the event of a fire.
  • Store flammable liquids safely away from the home.
  • Report issues to your landlord as they arise.
  • Allow owner access to make repairs at reasonable times.
  • Abide by the lease terms, including number of roommates/tenants allowed (no more than 4 unrelated people can live in the same dwelling, according to city ordinance)
  • Use appliances, electrical fixtures (including smoke detectors) and plumbing fixtures as the manufacturer intended.
  • Yards should be maintained and rubbish free. According to city ordinance, the following items are not allowed to remain outside a home for more than 48 hours in any location visible from streets or sidewalks:
    • Appliances
    • Bedding, bottles, boxes, broken glass
    • Cans, cardboard, cartons
    • Furniture manufactured for indoor use only
    • Household appliances
    • Jars
    • Lumber and building supply materials that are not neatly stacked
    • Machine parts, motor vehicle parts
    • Pallets, paper, plumbing fixtures
    • Rags
    • Scrap metal
    • Tire rims, tires
    • Water heaters