Follow these tips to be a responsible neighbor and tenant to avoid conflicts with neighbors or legal action:

• Maintain a clean and sanitary rental home.  Do not damage the home. Never leave debris, furniture or vehicles on front lawns.  Citations can be given for overgrown weeds, visible debris and/or abandoned vehicles in public view.  City's visual blight ordinance (Davis Municipal Code 23.01.030.9).
  
  
• Help keep Davis beautiful by putting waste where it belongs.  The city recycles and has a compost program. 
  
  
• If applicable, bring trash cans in from the curb after trash pick up.  Trash is collected weekly.  The city of Davis contracts with Recology Davis.  Go to www.recology.com/recology-davis/ to find your trash day.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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 and always comply with the City's noise ordinance (Davis Municipal Code 24.05.010)
  
  
• Noise ordinance - it is a violation for any person to willfully make any noise which unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood.  Violations are enforced by the Davis Police Department.  Violators receive either a warning or citation.  If the property is a rental, the violation and citations will be transmitted to the tenant.  Fines for noise violations are: $100 for first citation, $200 for second citation, and $500 for the third and subsequent citations.
  
  
• Familiarize yourself with, and follow, the smoking control ordinance (Davis Municipal Code 34) and the open container ordinance (Davis Municipal Code 26.04)
  
  
• Do not engage in, or allow, any illegal activity.

Resources

California Tenants' Handbook (PDF)