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