Formal Considerations

Tenant’s Rights & Responsibilities

For a comprehensive explanation of landlord and tenant’s rights and responsibilities, see the Connecticut Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities (PDF).

• Pay your monthly rent on time – failure to do so will result in fees and, ultimately, eviction.
• Read and understand the terms of your lease. Please have a parent or trusted adult review the lease with you before signing.
• Avoid damaging the apartment. If something does get damaged or stops working (e.g., shower, heat), notify your landlord immediately.

What do I do if my landlord tries to evict me?

• See A Tenant’s Guide to Summary Process (PDF) website for information and guidance.
• See also City of New Haven Common Housing Code Violations & Remedies (PDF).

Landlord’s Rights & Responsibilities

Please see the State of Connecticut’s Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities (PDF).

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Being a Good Neighbor

As a Yale student living in the New Haven community, we urge you to be courteous to and respectful of your neighbors. Beyond considerations of viral infections and containment, off-campus students must be cognizant of any possible negative impact their presence might have on their neighbors or neighborhoods in the form of:

• Noise complaints
• Gatherings larger than 25 people
• Public intoxication and related injury or hospitalization
• Improperly managed trash

Repeated complaints and a record of violations may result in:

• Eviction
• Your landlord’s refusal to renew your lease
• A city-issued citation, fine, or arrest (and subsequent official record for such)

Your neighbors may call the city health department with concerns of COVID-related violations or other problematic behavior.

• As the host of any party or gathering, you may be fined up to $500; attendees may be fined up to $250. Read more about Covid-19-related violations and penalties at the form: Hosting Indoor Private Events in New Haven (PDF)

Here are a few ways to begin building relationships within whatever community you choose to join:

Introduce Yourself to Your Neighbors

People living within the community are generally interested in knowing who their neighbors are, particularly if you live in a multi-family unit. Take the time to introduce yourself. This provides an opportunity to develop a relationship with your neighbors. 

Parties

Before you plan, ask. If you want to have a party, it’s worth having a conversation with your neighbor about the type of party you’d like to have, your planned time and date, and the number of people you’re expecting in order to gauge your neighbor’s comfort level. Happy neighbors – whether next door, above, or below you – can help to keep your off-campus life drama free.

Because of the pandemic, it is vital that you plan any gathering carefully.

• Ask any guests you invite how they are feeling; whether they have been exposed or tested positive for the COVID-19 virus; or if they’ve traveled recently and to what destination. (Note: if you learn that one of your guests has subsequently contracted COVID-19, notify your other guests immediately)

• Clearly communicate to your guests where they can park and how to access your apartment with minimal disruption for neighbors.

• Be direct with guests about your conduct expectations and remind them to be respectful.

• Keep noise to a minimum. There is a possibility that your neighbors may be elderly, have children, or simply prefer a quiet apartment.

• Avoid late night gatherings, where your neighbors may be attempting to wind down for the day, unless you’ve confirmed that your neighbors won’t be upset.

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Renter’s Insurance

Renter’s (or Tenant’s) insurance is an insurance policy that provides protection to renters. Depending on the policy you select, Renter’s Insurance can include:

• Personal Property: The cost to repair or replace your belongings, such as clothing, furniture and electronics, up to the limits in your policy;
• Liability: Repairs if you accidentally damage someone else’s property or a guest’s medical bills if you’re found responsible for their injuries;
• Additional Living Expenses: Additional costs you incur, like hotel bills, if the residence you rent is damaged and left uninhabitable.

Check with your parents to see if they have homeowner’s insurance and, if so, whether you are covered under their policy. 

Understand that your landlord/property owner will not assume any responsibility for your personal property that is damaged or stolen. 

Renter’s insurance is not required in the state of Connecticut, but it is a very helpful safeguard. You may purchase Renter’s insurance from many of the same companies that offer car insurance: Geico; Nationwide; Allstate, State Farm, Travelers, as well as smaller companies such as Lemonade. 

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Garbage and Recycling

Garbage and recycling collection are managed by New Haven’s Department of Public Works. The City of New Haven provides two waste receptacles (or toters) per household:

    ▪    brown 48 gallon toter (used for trash)
    ▪    blue 96 gallon toter (used for recycling items only)

If your house doesn’t have a garbage or recycling receptacle, please contact Resident Services at (203) 946-7700.

Garbage is collected weekly; each neighborhood is assigned a specific collection day. To find your residence’s pickup day, please see the City of New Haven Garbage Pickup Map.

For recycling information, see Recycling on the City of New Haven website.

Towing

IMPORTANT: if you receive a ticket, pay immediately. Otherwise, you WILL continue to incur additional charges.

While the city no longer tows vehicles for street sweeping, your vehicle can still be towed for other reasons. If you believe your vehicle has been towed or booted, please visit the City of New Haven Citizens Connect website and fill out the required information. If the website doesn’t provide you with the information you need, please contact the New Haven Police department at 203-946-6316. The police department will be able to accurately determine if your vehicle was towed and how to retrieve it. If your vehicle is toward from an apartment parking lot, contact your build management to see which towing company is assigned the lot.

To avoid getting ticketed or towed: 

• Discuss parking options with your landlord/leasing office, including if a parking sticker is necessary for your building or residential area
• Familiarize yourself with street sweeping days
• Consider public parking lots ParkNewHaven provides you with an interactive map and real-time access to parking spaces. 

Street Cleaning

Consult the street sweeping neighborhood schedule in New Haven. The city has recently stopped towing cars parked illegally in street cleaning neighborhoods and started ticketing them at a significantly higher price of $100 (even those with a valid city permit). To avoid being ticketed, move your vehicles according to the schedule implemented by the city of New Haven.

The City has 15 sweeping routes all of which are ticketed routes:

Route #1 – Amity/West Rock
Route #2 – Beaver Hills
Route #3 – Newhallville/ Prospect/Grove
Route #4 – East Rock/Cedar Hill
Route #5 – Fair Haven from Blatchley Ave
Route #6 – Fair Haven Heights/Foxon
Route #7 – Fair Haven Heights/Annex
Route #8 – Wooster Square to Blatchley Ave
Route #9 – Downtown (*swept during overnight hours as needed)
Route #10 – West River/Dwight/Edgewood
Route #11 – Westville
Route #12 – Hill (North)
Route #13 – Hill (South)/ City Point
Route #14 – Annex/East Shore
Route #15 – Morris Cove/East Shore

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