Renter Responsibilities

● Be mindful when hosting parties or other gatherings by the city Noise Ordinance. Limit noise from 11 pm-7 am Monday-Saturday and all day Sundays. Click here for more information.

● Communicate and work with your landlord on any maintenance needs regarding the property. Just as it is the landlord's job to make various repairs and maintain the upkeep of the property, it is your job as the tenant to inform them if there is something on the rental property that requires their attention.

● Document property conditions both before you move in and after you move out, with written and photographic proof. This helps both you and your landlord know that the property was well-maintained and that you are not responsible for any damages that were made before or after your lease. Click this link for our Inspection Checklist.

● Hold your landlord responsible. If repairs have not been made within 30 days of your request or if your landlord has not attempted to contact you about resolving the issue, contact us to advocate for your right to a safe and healthy living space.

● Keep your doors, windows, and cars locked at all times to safeguard against theft, burglary, and associated damages. Consider having renter's insurance as an added safety measure. Remember that your landlord will not be held liable for associated damages to the property unless it was a direct result of their neglect of the property, such as a broken lock or window. 

● Maintain basic sanitary conditions of the property, including trash, dishes, vacuuming/ sweeping of floors, and wiping down surfaces. This helps keep vermin and insects away.

● Pay rent in full and on time when it's due, as well as all bills associated with the property, including the utilities and additional bills you are responsible for.

● Properly dispose of all trash, whether through a shared dumpster or in containers collected weekly by the city. 

● Bring or house a pet in the rental property without the permission of your landlord or if the lease expressly prohibits pets. If you have a certified service or emotional support animal, discuss the conditions of your lease with your landlord as they apply to your situation.

● Dump large trash items, such as discarded mattresses and furniture, in shared dumpsters or along the sidewalk. Instead, properly dispose of them by calling Public Works at 419-354-6227 to schedule a pickup. Click here for more information.

● Intentionally damage or neglect the rental property regardless of your relationship with your landlord or the lease end date. You may be responsible for additional charges by your landlord if this is the case.

● Leave trash containers in front of your property or any common spaces by the city's code on garbage and litter, which you can find here.

● Leave your items, no matter how large, on the rental property upon the termination of your lease agreement. As the renter, it is your responsibility to get all of your personal property out of the rental space, not your landlord's.

● Let parties get out of control. Remember that you are responsible for any damages to the property made by your guests. Limit your party to your rental property, not common spaces. Also, keep in mind the city's noise ordinance and be sure to clean up after the party is done in a timely fashion to avoid strong odors.

● Let your trash get out of hand. Some odors are hard to get rid of, and neglecting your garbage can lead to bug infestations and rodent problems.

● Partake in the consumption or distribution of illegal substances, or partake in any other illegal activity while on the premises of the rental property.

● Put foreign objects or toxic substances in plumbing or drains, as it can lead to severe property damage and serious environmental harm that you will be held responsible for. 

Look, we get it. Partying is fun! We don't want to take that away from you! But the best way to party is safely and in a way that doesn't disturb your neighbors or risk eviction. Here's our guide on how to have fun –responsibly.

You may be surprised to discover that many landlords discreetly include language in your lease that doesn't allow you to throw a disruptive party.

As a tenant, if you are considered "disruptive" or a general nuisance to your neighbors, you may face eviction. Being overly loud, obnoxious, or even unhygienic can lead to issues with your landlord, so it's important to take the necessary precautions to ensure that your parties don't lead to them.

When throwing a party, the first important task at hand is considering the space in which the party will occur. It is your responsibility as the host to make sure that your party doesn't take up any common spaces that you share with your neighbors (unless otherwise given permission). This can include lobbies, hallways, stairways, and more. If you're going to throw a party, make sure it happens within your own space –and stays there. 

Parties also tend to get very loud. Whether the music gets loud or your guests are particularly rowdy, the responsibility for the noise level falls to you. It is important to keep in mind that not only can this qualify as a disturbance to your neighbors (especially if you're a regular party host), but that your city has a noise ordinance, meaning that after a certain time of night, you are legally obligated to keep activity volumes to a minimum. Bowling Green's noise ordinance makes it so that you cannot be overly loud from 11 PM - 7 AM from Monday to Saturday, or all day Sunday.

As the host, you are also responsible for any damages to the property you're renting, even if one of your guests caused them. You are also responsible for any safety risks or physical harm caused to your guests during a party. Therefore, it's in your best interests to minimize any potential damage or safety hazards before throwing a party. This can include anything from not allowing people onto your balcony to keeping your glass table in a different room so no one gets hurt. 

It is also common knowledge that most parties contain alcoholic beverages. It is important to keep in mind that, even among friends, providing alcohol to an underaged person is still highly illegal. If such a thing happens during your party or if something goes wrong and alcohol has been provided under your supervision, you will likely be held directly responsible. During your parties, it's extremely important to follow the law, especially when it comes to alcohol. There are also many complex issues regarding hazing and alcohol if you're a college student, which you can learn more about here.

Another important issue when throwing a party is the aftermath –trash. Parties generally create a lot of garbage that needs to be thrown out promptly. Cleaning up after your parties is extremely important to maintaining the cleanliness of the property you're renting. Garbage can get out of hand rather quickly if not taken care of with relative speed after the party is over. Make sure that you're cleaning up after yourself and your guests when the party is over, otherwise, you may find yourself with a variety of unwanted guests, such as ants, flies, and disgusted neighbors.

What is a DORA?    

A DORA is a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. The DORA Program itself allows people to buy alcoholic beverages from participating places and carry an open DORA container of that beverage (up to 16 oz.) outside within designated boundaries. The DORA is in effect each year from the Friday before Memorial Day weekend to the end of the day on the Monday of Labor Day Weekend. The hours for Bowling Green are: 

• Monday – Thursday: 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• Friday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm

Provided is an image of Bowling Green's DORA boundaries, which are also marked throughout the city's downtown. The boundary encompasses Main Street from Clough Street to West Court Street, as well as the establishments along the street. You are not allowed to carry an alcoholic/DORA beverage outside of this designated area.

DORA Participants

Participating businesses in downtown BG where you can buy a DORA drink include: 

• Bar 149
• Beckett's Burger Bar
• The Clay Pot
• Doc's Big City Saloon
• Easy Street Cafe
• Juniper Brewing Company
• Mr. Spots
• Myla Marcus Winery
• Red Sky Pizza and Pints
• Sam B's Restaurant
• Trotter's Tavern

More Information

For additional information on DORA, the program's rules, and more, click here.