Off Campus Housing Guide                          Back to Table of Contents

Chapter 8
Guidelines for Off Campus Tenant Behavior                                
Noise                                             
Responsibilities of Tenants         
Responsibility of Property owners/Managers                                   

Section Eight: Guidelines for Off-Campus Tenant Behavior
 (Information provided by Lock Haven University Office of Student Affairs)

If you are a LHU student, your behavior has a direct impact on how the city community views the University, of which you are a representative. As a LHU student, you are expected to abide by the University’s Code of Student Conduct regardless of time or place. The standard of conduct required of LHU students reflects high expectations for responsible behavior. Responsible tenant behavior includes respect for the health, safety, and property of others in your residence and your neighborhood.

Potential violations of the Code of Student Conduct include, but are not limited to, the following behaviors:

  • Excessive noise

  • Responsibilities of tenants

Complaints of this nature, whether made by a landlord, another student, or a member of the community should be brought to the attention of the Office of Off Campus Living. If the situation warrants, alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct will be referred to and investigated by the University’s Office of Student Conduct.  Depending on the seriousness of the offense, investigations may result in formal charges and disciplinary action against a student or students.

Many disputes, however, do not warrant such action and can often be resolved by mediation.

NOISE

It’s been a long, hard day. Now it’s time to unwind - to crank some tunes, party with a few friends, make a little noise... No problem with that, RIGHT?

WRONG! While you forget your troubles, don’t forget to be considerate of your neighbors.

It’s not only a question of good manners - most leases state that a tenant is expected to “conduct him or herself in a manner that will not unreasonably disturb his or her neighbors’ peaceful enjoyment of the premises.” And don’t forget about the city noise ordinances!  A violation could mean stiff fines! The City’s noise ordinance designates the hours between 10:00 pm and 8:00 am as “quiet hours”. You are required to be considerate and respectful of your neighbors at all times but more so between the hours stated.

This isn’t limited to loud parties or music; Be careful about moving furniture or making repairs at inappropriate times. Be considerate. There are going to be times when YOU need quiet too.

So remember:

  • BE CONSIDERATE

  • BE QUIET
     

RESPONSIBILITIES OF TENANTS

Use the dwelling unit for residential purposes only (not for business or commercial purposes and not for any illegal activity);

  • Limit the number of people living in the unit to the number of people written into the lease. However, this does not mean that the landlord can restrict your right to have visitors on the premises and reasonable overnight guests;

  • Pay rent and utility bills that are the tenant’s responsibility under the lease, on the due dates and in the agreed way;

  • Keep unit clean and safe; promptly notify landlord of any damage to the premises; pay for any damage caused by tenant or his/her guests; this does not apply to normal wear and tear and maintenance of the property, which are the responsibilities of the landlord;

  • Dispose of all trash and other waste in a clean and safe manner and according to the instructions provided by the landlord; if tenants violate trash disposal rules they can be fined by the City of Lock Haven;

  • Use electrical, plumbing and heating facilities in a safe and careful manner;

  • Not destroy, deface, damage the premises or remove any part of the premises;

  • Not make any alteration to the premises without first getting the property owner’s consent in writing;

  • Not keep any animals in the unit, unless permitted by the lease (“special animals” for people with disabilities are excepted);

  • Not change locks to the premises without written permission from property owner, who must have access to the premises at all times, in case of an emergency;

  • Conduct themselves, and require any person on the premises with tenant’s consent to conduct themselves, in a manner that will not disturb the other tenants’ peaceful enjoyment of the premises;

  • Report all problems with the apartment to the property owner/manager; communicate problems with the property and give notices in writing; keep copies of all written communication with the property owner/manager;

  • Leave apartment clean and in a condition similar to the one at the beginning of the lease, wear and tear excepted;

  • Fill out a move-in/move-out checklist;

  • Provide proper written notice of intention to terminate or renew lease

  • Provide written notification of forwarding address for the return of security deposit

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROPERTY OWNERS/MANAGERS

Property condition and maintenance

  • Comply with the requirements of all applicable building and housing codes affecting health and safety;

  • Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition;

  • eep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition;

  • Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, and other facilities and appliances;

  • rovide and maintain appropriate containers for the removal of trash and other waste generated during occupancy of the dwelling unit and arrange for their removal in compliance with the code requirements; it is the duty of the landlord to provide tenants with information regarding trash disposal and quiet hours regulation;

  • Supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times and supply 68 degrees F temperature in the unit from October 1 through April 30 and in September and May if the temperature falls below 60 degrees.

  • Provide for the quiet enjoyment of the premises by the tenant. This means, privacy, peace and quiet and use of the premises; notify tenant of intention to enter the premises for any reasonable purpose (24 hour notice unless it is an emergency, in which case the landlord can enter without notice);

  • Provide tenant with rules and regulations for the use of the premises, consistent with applicable law and with the terms of the lease.


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