Commuter Students: How to be a Responsible Neighbor and Tenant
Read guidelines for being a good neighbor if you live off campus, and learn about the San Diego Police Department's CAPP program.
Follow these tips to be a responsible tenant and neighbor, and avoid conflicts with neighbors or legal action:
- Pay your rent on time. If you cannot pay when the rent is due, contact your landlord to explain the situation, and give a date when you can pay.
- Inform the property manager when anything needs to be repaired. It is best to hand-deliver a request in writing with a witness, or send it by certified mail. (Remember to keep a copy for yourself.) Keep accurate, organized records of all requests and transactions between you and your landlord.
- Obey the laws of your neighborhood and apartment complex. Every neighborhood is different. Make sure you understand any rules set by a homeowner's association in your area. If you fail to comply with its policies, you might be subject to a lawsuit.
- Get to know your neighbors. Understand that neighbors who are not college students may not be on a student schedule.
- Notify your neighbors if you plan to have a gathering. They may respond better if you have built a relationship and given them notice.
- Avoid hosting social functions that may cause problems with neighbors or that may cause your house to be "CAPPed."
- Do not engage in, or allow, any illegal activity.
Community Assisted Party Program: Don't get CAPPed
The San Diego Police Department sponsors the Community Assisted Party Program (CAPP) to curb nuisance behavior at chronic party houses. If your residence receives a CAPP designation, officers will show zero tolerance when responding to all future party calls, which may result in direct enforcement such as:
- Arrests
- Citations
- Property or vehicle impounds
- Sobriety checks
A house can be CAPPed for several reasons, including:
- Illegal parking
- Increased traffic
- Littering
- Loud and unreasonable noise
- Public drunkenness
- Underage drinking
Your neighbors can contact the San Diego CAPP coordinator to report your address when there is a violation. Your house will be CAPPed if:
- There are 2 calls within 30 days
- Officers make a citation or arrest when responding to a party call
If your house is CAPPed, it will remain on the CAPP list for 1 year, regardless of occupant changes.
Resources:
- UC San Diego
- California Tenants Guide (large PDF), produced by the California Department of Consumer Affairs
- Tenants Together, California tenants' rights advocacy organization