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Univeristy of California, Santa Barbara

Liquor & Your Lease




We had a party last night and our bathrooms are NASTY!

  • Communicate with your housemates before the party to clarify expectations. 
    • If you’re the party thrower, it’s your responsibility to clean the bathroom.
    • If your entire house is throwing the party, specify who’s cleaning what.
  • If you have more than one bathroom, only keep one open during the party that way you’ll have a clean bathroom to use the next morning. 
  • Be prepared with a plunger! Clogs are your responsibility, not your landlord’s. If it’s a serious clog you may want to call your landlord so they can send out a plumber.
    • There may be a clause in your lease that reads: “Residents are responsible for any damages to leased premises during the term of the lease and for actual costs of all drain, toilet and disposal obstructions except main line and root clogs.”

When did this break?

  • Report any broken fixtures (eg: windows, towel racks, shower heads, door knobs, etc.) to your landlord immediately! If you wait too long, additional damage may occur and you can be held liable.
    • For example your lease agreement might say: “The cost of any damages incurred because of residents’ failure to report any maintenance problem in a timely manner may be assessed as the residents’ responsibility.”
    • In layman’s terms, if a window breaks and a couple days later it rains, you will be liable for any water damage inside the house. This could have been avoided if you had told your landlord immediately.
  • Some people try to avoid paying for broken fixtures and don’t tell their landlords. However, you will have to pay for it eventually when it’s deducted from your security deposit so you might as well take care of it.

We had a party and our house is totally trashed!

  • You and your housemates are jointly responsible for guests and even “randoms” at your party.
  • For example your lease agreement might say: “Residents are responsible for any damage done to the premises by their guests or anyone drawn to the premises due to a gathering or party.”
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My stuff was stolen during a party! 

  • Did you know most burglaries in I.V. occur during Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights? Without renter’s insurance, your landlord is not liable for stolen personal belongings. Be sure to report any stolen property to the I.V. Foot Patrol.
  • Renter’s insurance is highly recommended and can cost only $10 to $20 per month, covering stolen personal belongings as well as water/fire damage usually with a $500 deductible. For more information, read this article “Relax with Renter’s Insurance” from the Daily Nexus.
    • An alternative to purchasing your own renter’s insurance policy is finding out if your parent’s homeowner’s policy extends coverage to you while you’re away at school.
  • Next time, remember to move your valuables from your living room and kitchen into a locked room for added security.

HELP my roommates have different partying habits than mine!

  • Having a house meeting is a good idea and an advisor from the Community Housing Office can help mediate if you’d like. This meeting can include:
    • Creating party, study, and sleep schedules
    • Discussing locking windows and doors after the party ends
    • Designating cleaning responsibilities
    • Approving overnight guests
    • Scheduling short, pre-party house meetings for the future
    • Other disagreements
  • If you choose to use mediation, the advisor from the Community Housing Office will not take sides, make decisions for people, or decide who is “right” or “wrong.” Rather, he or she will help resolve any disagreements by making sure everyone is heard clearly.
  • To set up a free and confidential appointment, please contact the Community Housing Office Mediation Program: mediation@housing.ucsb.edu.

My housemates are furnishing alcohol to minors, can I get in trouble?

  • If you’re in the same house or apartment while it’s happening, yes! Everyone who lives and is currently at the residence where minors are drinking alcohol can get a “furnishing alcohol to minors” citation. The violation is a misdemeanor with a fine as steep as $3,000 depending on the circumstances.

My neighbors had a party and there’s trash everywhere!

  • Talk to your neighbors about cleaning up their mess. This can get complicated if you share a yard or balcony. Try to work out an agreement beforehand.
    • Usually a leasing contract will state:
      “Residents agree to respect the rights of their neighbors and clean up any litter left from a gathering or party. Residents are responsible for any damage done to the premises by their guests or anyone drawn to the premises due to the gathering or party.”
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My neighbors are having a party and the noise is out of control… in a bad way!

  • The first step is to tell them in person. Leave your emotions at the door and introduce yourself. Explain your situation (you’re trying to study, etc.) and ask if they can lower the volume. If you feel comfortable, exchange cell numbers so you can call or send them a text next time instead. Sometimes your neighbors don’t realize others can hear their music and sending them a text letting them know is an easygoing and convenient way to solve the problem.
  • If this doesn’t solve the noise problem, call the I.V. Foot Patrol (IVFP). It can be anonymous and they’ll come over to assess the situation.
    • Leaving your first name and phone number will encourage the IVFP to get the problem resolved faster since they know it’s not a prank call. This information will not be forwarded to your noisy neighbors.
  • Another option is negotiating a party schedule with your neighbors, which can be done through mediation.
  • As a last resort, you may consider moving. Contact the Community Housing Office (ucsbcho@housing.ucsb.edu) or use their Rental Listings Database to help find a replacement and an available room.

Look how much we can drink, Ma!

  • Displaying your empty bottle collection where it can be visible from the outside, like windows or glass doors, just makes you look dumb. You’re drawing Isla Vista Foot Patrol’s (IVFP) attention to your house and your landlord may have the grounds to request their removal.

Party on the roof!

  • Going on your roof will most likely be prohibited in your leasing agreement and if you’re drinking, it could be a recipe for disaster.
    • Consequences might be listed similarly to:
      “Entering onto the roof without our consent is cause for additional rent as well as charges for any damages to the roof or attic.”

We can get in trouble for decorating our house?!

  • Yes! Since you don’t own your property, your landlord can dictate the changes you can and can’t do to your place. Make sure to ask your landlord for permission.
    • A leasing agreement may say:
      “Residents shall make no alterations, repairs, or change to the leased premises without our consent.”
  • Even hanging up posters in windows or off balconies can be off limits.
    • A common decorating clause might be written similar to:
      “Residents agree not to hang any banners, posters, advertisements or pictures visible from the outside.”
  • If you plan to hang things inside your home or apartment, blue tape (painter’s tape) is a good alternative that won’t damage the wall.

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If my friend is coming to visit, why is it my landlord’s business?!

  • There is no state law for overnight guest’s length of stay but a “Guest Clause” may be included in your leasing contract.
    • For example a lease might say:
      “Guests who stay more than seven nights during a month will be entitled to rent and is the responsibility of the entire house.”
  • Even if your guest is staying for a night or two, make sure you discuss it with your roommates. An extra person affects everyone in the house (eg: utility costs, occupying your favorite chair, etc.). When you don’t talk about it, you’re putting a strain on your roommates and imposing an unexpected liability.

I’m about to be evicted!


I still have a burning question!

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