3 Simple Rules on being a Good Neighbor
Know your neighbors
The first step in fostering good relations with your neighbors is to get to know them, and the best way to get to know them is to introduce yourself. Consider offering your neighbors your telephone number so they may contact you if they have a concern.
Problems that arise later on will be easier to resolve if you start by simply getting acquainted. This means when you accidentally block your neighbor's driveway with your car, he or she will know to call you to move it rather than the police. Or, if you forget to turn the lights off in your car, the neighbor will know what door to knock on rather than just letting your battery run down.
Appreciate and respect that community residents have different lifestyles than college students. Be aware of shift work. Knowing your neighbors and their schedules makes it easier to "fit in" with the neighborhood. Also, remember that many of your neighbors have families with children. Knowing about your neighbors will help to ensure that both of you have a great neighborhood.
You will find that your neighbors have diverse backgrounds, careers, and experiences.
Getting to know them can be an enriching experience!
Be Considerate
Your schedule may differ from your neighbors. You may have a student with early morning classes upstairs or a family with a small child next door. coRealize that a major source of irritation is noise. You shouldn't blast your stereo at 2 AM for the same reason that the guy next door shouldn't blast his stereo at 6 AM. . . because it is inconsiderate of others (and it may also violate the City's noise ordinance).
If you are planning to have a party, let your neighbors (both students and non-students) know a couple of days in advance, and tell them how to contact you if things get too rowdy. Remember, you can keep your party under control or the police can do it for you. Your neighbors will appreciate the courtesy! Keep in mind that just because you let them know about the party doesn't mean that you can be as loud as you want to be for as long as you want to be. Also, consider the number of people who will be coming to the party. If there are more than a dozen, it may be impossible to control noise levels or the behavior of your guests.
Obey local parking regulations. Parking all over the place can be a hassle for both you and your neighbors. Your neighbors may have difficulties being able to park their own car, and you might get a parking violation if your car is parked incorrectly. Being conscious of how and where you park your car will help greatly in your neighborhood.
Keep it Clean
Nobody likes seeing trash in their own yard and they probably don't like seeing it in yours either. To make matters worse, the trash in one yard has a funny way of blowing into the next. You probably heard your mother say it a million times-clean up after yourself! Pick up your newspapers; recycle or return your cans and bottles. In general, keep things tidy. If you are receiving free newspapers that you do not read or want, contact the paper to have them discontinue service.
Other ways to keep up appearances of your dwelling:
- keep trash in containers and in the rear of the building; trash containers should be put on the sidewalk ONLY on collection day
- ONLY outdoor furniture on the porch—no upholstered furniture
- keep curtains on windows
- keep lawns, sidewalks and streets clean
If the above mentioned ordinances are violated by you or by your guests, the city will prosecute and if found guilty, a person could be fined up to $750 in the City Ordinances Court. Judicial Affairs may be contacted if the severity deems it appropriate. For more information on city ordinances, please visit:
