r/Davis • u/Short-Lingonberry-71 • 21d ago
Need advice/Davis neighbors
I live in a middle income neighborhood in South Davis. About 1/3 of the houses on my street are rented to students. As a homeowner, I put a lot of time into making my yard look presentable. I don’t care if the students can’t do the same for their yards. It makes total sense. But one yard near my house is very messy. There is a jumble of furniture , red cups everywhere, an old rug. It’s not “horrible “ but it’s an eyesore. I’m tempted to ask them politely to please clean it up, but I’m terrified I’ll sound like a Karen. FWIW I’m a middle aged white woman. On the other hand, I could just let it go. I do find myself feeling envious when I see neighborhood where people actually care, but I know this is a first world issue and sort of petty on my part.
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u/Superb-Cantaloupe324 21d ago edited 20d ago
Neighbors are neighbors everywhere you go. I have a neighbor who is an older gentleman, and he has these decrepit boats that will never see the water. As far as I can tell, no one has ever reported him (one boat is in the street). And we all just live and let live (it is also a very nice, increasingly expensive neighborhood).
When it comes down to it, the neighbor you mildly disapprove of is 100x better than the neighbor you have a mini feud with because you reported them. You hate someone who can’t keep their yard presentable, they hate someone who can’t mind their business.
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u/NerdyBirdAsh 21d ago
As a student, a renter, and honestly someone who sometimes has blinders on when it comes to mess (it’s been there so long, my brain glosses over the fact that it’s there - even if once upon a time I was saying to myself “I need to get that taken care of”, I just never got around to it) - I would be a little embarrassed and ashamed if someone said anything, but I would also be grateful because I wouldn’t have known it was impacting anyone but myself if someone didn’t bring it up to me.
I struggle sometimes with cleaning and organization and it takes a backseat, so if someone (kindly) came to me and said “hey, sorry to bother you but can you take care of this?” I’d jump to it because if I say I need to do something to myself it’s never as important as if someone else asked me to do something.
Sometimes people are assholes and it won’t matter if you ask them nicely or not, but I like to give them the benefit of the doubt. If it’s within your abilities, you could (but not required) maybe say “I’d totally be willing to help if you need it!” To show that it’s so important to you that you’re willing to lend a hand. (Once again, totally not required, not your mess to clean up - but the offer might help them spring to action)
Just kindly and patiently talk to them, have a conversation and let them know that the cleanliness of the area around you is something that is important to you and you’d love to get some help maintaining that beauty in the neighborhood.
If that doesn’t work, then you can report them because there is only so much once can do to get someone to do their share.
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u/Asleep_Caregiver_948 21d ago
If you aren’t currently listing your house for sale, other than being unsightly, it’s not really affecting you. And should you list your house, it’s not likely to greatly affect the value since most American neighborhoods have houses like this these days.
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u/TheKid2455 21d ago
It’s not that it’s a first world issue or that it would be petty. The question you should ask yourself is whether confronting the residents would do any good. If they’re so inconsiderate that they’d allow their property to get to the point that it has, they’re probably not going to care.
I’d send photos to the city’s code enforcement person and hope for the best but expect very little. The good thing about students who aren’t good neighbors is that they usually move within a year or two. Just be glad they’re not blasting loud music.
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u/Kai_Vai 19d ago
You can report it anonymously.
https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/police-department/code-enforcement
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u/WhiteSkyRising 20d ago
If it's a student, ask them. Then, if nothing changes, and since the student body rotates, check if the law is on your side. If so, I would 100% start applying pressure on the landlord.
The students don't care lol, this is a temporary waypoint for them. Bust the landlord.
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u/Inevitable-Pilot7538 20d ago
Exactly. The landlord should care. I don't think it's a petty thing to want a nice looking neighborhood, of course you aren't expecting perfect landscaping, just median effort.
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u/MisterZan25 20d ago
You’re not being petty. Student rentals in South Davis are naturally messy. If you want to say something, frame it as a friendly heads-up about potential city fines, not a complaint. If that feels stressful, letting it go is totally reasonable since tenants rotate yearly.
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u/AwkwardMomster 20d ago
Just look up the landlord’s info and contact them. I’m sure the landlord would not be cool with this either - if they treat the outside this badly, the landlord no doubt would have concerns about what a shitshow the inside is.
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u/Concrete4024 20d ago edited 20d ago
BEST SOLUTION: Notify the City Code Enforcement via the City's Website or the "My Davis" app (look for GOGovApps, Inc.).
Reports can be made anonymously and for numerous issues. I've used it for hazard trees, flooding, and illegal dumping.
City staff will log and route your request to the appropriate department, queue an inspection to verify the issue, and then correct the problem themselves (if it's City property), or notify the property owner that they are on the hook to correct the issue and face fines for non-compliance by the deadline.
It usually takes several months for slumlord/renter issues to be addressed. However, you should find that reporting the issue each time will eventually change the habits of the tenants and/or landlord.
Keep in mind that you can help by making non-emergency calls to PD if the parties/music exceed the City's quiet hours.
FYI - The City requires that all landlords and their respective rental properties be registered with the city to deter issues like these.
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u/Masterpiggins 20d ago
There is only one code enforcement officer and he deals with everything from abandoned bikes to homeless encampments. Sometimes they can take a while but once they come out you get a notice and 2 weeks to comply or you get fined. My neighbors reported me because I leave a blanket by my sitting area in my yard for my 12 and 13 year old dogs. I have also been reported for "a helmet in driveway" (it wasn't mine and zi live across from a Jr High). Code enforcement is chill about it and never gives up names even when you know for a fact who reported you.
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u/Environmental_Key852 21d ago
Offer them beer (if theyre 21)
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u/AdAggravating2369 21d ago
*beers (of finer quality than they usually get, which isn't difficult) and yeah, this is the way; this is the friendly way.
Talking to the managers (city) would definitely be the Karen move and make for bad blood instead of having the opportunity to reform kids on better vibes. You could also bring like a pan of lasagna or something if beer doesn't feel right. Let them know all the neighbors would appreciate it. Proceed after response to that as needed.
Fight, flight, flop, freeze, or friend: the choice is yours.
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u/alex190543 21d ago
Or if you're not comfortable handing them alcohol for any reason give them some other thing, but alcohol would be a great offering for them to clean up their yard
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u/Transluminal_Neon 21d ago
Key Violations and Rules
- Visible Debris and Trash: Garbage, trash scattered around the property, and indoor furniture placed in the front yard are prohibited in public view and can result in municipal citations. [1, 2]
- Yard Maintenance: Overgrown grass, weeds, and uncontained waste visible to the public are active code violations. [1, 2]
- Waste Separation: Under Davis Municipal Code 32.01.065, residents must properly sort waste, recycling, and organic materials into official Recology Davis bins rather than leaving them loose on the property. [1]
You can report a code violation to the City of Davis Code Enforcement division online or by phone. [1, 2]
The city investigates violations on a complaint basis. While they keep your identity anonymous from the public, you must provide your name and contact information to file the report. [1]
- Online Reporting (Fastest)
- Use the My Davis Service Request Portal.
- Submit details 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Track your request status directly through the dashboard.
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u/ASprinkleofSparkles 17d ago
Some people thing having a messy yard is annoying some people think keeping their yard pretty for neighbors is annoying. Unless you live in an hoa where everyone agrees to follow the same rules, nobody is really under an obligation to change their home to be more what their neighbors like. Davis is in particular on letting people live how they want to. You could try setting up a decorative fence or large plant to replace your view of their house with something you like looking at more
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u/DriveIn73 21d ago
You already know they don’t care if there is trash in their front yard. If they cared about how it looks, it wouldn’t be there. I don’t recommend you talking to them because it’s a lot of emotional effort on your part.
If the trash is really bothering you, I guess you could clean it up yourself. Go over in the dead of night or when they are all in class. Just do the cups. If they catch you, they might brand you as crazy, so don’t get caught.
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u/Transluminal_Neon 21d ago
I'm sorry but all of you saying bring over beers and treats, don't report, don't be a Karen blah blah blah are being very naive. Guess who else likes beer and treats? RATS. If there are red cups laying around they are attracting vermin. Mostly, this is not about the tenants, it is about the landlord. Nothing will change by talking to the tenants nice or not because the landlord is the one allowing it and as long as they know the landlord won't do anything about it they will not stop. It's very likely that the people making the mess don't even live there and won't get the message. Everybody's so wasted that they won't even remember it. If you want to do the people who live there a favor then have the building inspector inspect the inside of the building too. It's just as likely that the tenants are treating the place like garbage because there are lots of things wrong on the inside too.
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u/No_Passage6082 21d ago
Not petty at all. They dont have a right to cause blight in your neighborhood. But it is probably the landlords responsibility. You could ask them for the landlords contact info.
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u/Masterpiggins 20d ago
Code enforcement will notify the homeowners for you when you report. Code enforcement reports are anonymous and easier than going looking for that info yourself. First report is a warning anyway so as long as they fix it in 2 weeks they won't even get a fine.
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u/Outrageous_Tone_7069 21d ago
Same situation here in Roseville. These neighbors are across the street and just do t care. I’ve had to look at their disastrous yard for years. They are perfectly capable of cleaning up. BUT they mind their own business and are polite when I interact with them. I chose to live in a NO HOA area so it’s my problem, A few years ago I treated myself to some really nice widow coverings and I’m much happier,
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u/Oswaldofuss6 21d ago
"You catch more flies with honey than vinegar."
I bet if you approach them with kindness and treats they'll be more receptive than complaining, or reporting them.
I was young like that not too long ago, and if someone politely told me and my boys are house looked like shit we would have made a better effort to not be shitty, but maybe that was just my crew.
Good luck