The City of Bell Gardens maintains an active program, working with residents to keep local neighborhoods safe and clean. This program is called Code Enforcement.

The goals of the City's Code Enforcement Division are to work cooperatively with residents to meet the standards set by the Bell Gardens Municipal Code and to help maintain a safe living environment within the community. Both tenants and property owners are encouraged to maintain their property and not let it deteriorate to a condition that is considered a nuisance within the neighborhood.

Through the Property Maintenance Program, the City of Bell Gardens is working with you to protect property values, improve the quality of life for all residents, while enhancing the overall image of the community.

The following information is designed to inform residents of their responsibilities as tenants and property owners

Landlord Responsibilities

• Unless the tenant has agreed to repair or maintain the property in his/her lease, the landlord must keep the dwelling in a reasonable condition.
  
  
• The landlord must comply with the requirements of applicable Building and Housing Codes materially affecting health and safety.
  
  
• The landlord must make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to keep premises in a clean, safe condition.
  
  
• The landlord must maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including elevators supplied by the landlord.
  
  
• The landlord must provide and maintain appropriate garbage containers and arrange for their removal.
  
  
• The landlord must supply running hot and cold water.
  
  
• The landlord must provide for the quiet enjoyment of the premises by the tenant. This means the tenants are entitled to privacy, peace and quiet, and use of the premises free from landlord interference.
  
  
• The landlord may not charge rent in excess of legal limits.

Tenant Responsibilities

• A tenant must keep his/her unit as clean and safe as possible.
  
  
• The tenant must dispose of garbage and trash in a clean and safe manner.
  
  
• The tenant and his/her quest must not destroy, change, deface, or remove any part of the premises.
  
  
• The tenant must use the dwelling as a residence and use the rooms for the purpose for which they were designed and intended.
  
  
• The tenant must pay his/her rent on the day it is due.
  
  
• The tenant must repair anything he/she or his/her guest damages or breaks, unless the damage resulted from normal wear and tear.
  
  
• The tenant and his/her guests must conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb his/her neighbor's peaceful enjoyment of the premises.
  
  
• If the tenant sublets the apartment to someone else, the tenant is still responsible for the subtenant's actions and payment of rent, unless the landlord specifically agrees to the contrary.

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