Can I Limit #of People in 1 Bdrm Apt?

I have a tenant moving in Sept-01, single lady hairdresser. She says it's just her, but when she came to see it she brought her boyfriend (security I guess). He seems nice enough. The rental is large but has 1 bedroom.

My only concern is that this person will move her boyfriend in, then her mother, and niece, etc.

Question: legally (in WA state) how many people can I restrict to living in a 1 bedroom? Thanks for any advice.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:20AM

P NW

· OR

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Icon_minipost Aug 14 '09, 09:11 AM

HUD seems to be 2 per bedroom plus one on the couch.

Ask her current landlord how many people are living there. Ask where the boyfriend lives and call his landlord and ask if he's given notice.

If he's moving in, there's a good chance they are already living together and he has criminal or really bad credit so they don't put in an application for him.

Or.... not all dating couples live together.

You can put it in your agreement that only persons listed on the rental agreement can live there. (then you have to evict if he moves in).

You are allowed to ask her about her boyfriend, and you are allowed to tell her that he can't move in unless he submits an application and is screened and approved.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:22AM

Brian Levredge

SFR Investor · Long Beach, California

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Icon_minipost Aug 14 '09, 12:14 PM

I would add that it's almost always better to call the landlord of the property the would be tenant lived in before the more recent landlord. Too many times, you'll get a song and dance from a landlord looking to unload his/her problem, which means they'll say just about anything. Calling the prior landlord will usually give you a more accurate picture since the tenant is no longer their problem.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:22AM

Sean Williamson

Real Estate Investor · Redlands, California

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Icon_minipost Aug 14 '09, 12:31 PM

shoot always thought the more the merrier in my bedroom :lol: sorry might be kids waching can't really dictate how people live but you can decide the best use for your property

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:22AM

Harrison Painter

· Indianapolis, Indiana

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Icon_minipost Aug 14 '09, 01:05 PM

"Ditto" on what Brian said.

I have been hammered by "current" landlords on multiple occasions!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:22AM

Michael Rossi

Real Estate Investor · Ohio

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Icon_minipost Aug 14 '09, 09:24 PM

Let's assume that the law in your state will allow you to put a maximum occupancy per bedroom. Let's assume that you list ONE as the maximum number in your one-bedroom house. When the boyfriend, mother-in law, and 4 or her best drug addict friends all move in, what will you do about it?

You can tell her that she is the only one on the lease and she'll say "they are only visiting". You can try to evict her and she'll tell the judge or magistrate that "they are only visiting". How can you PROVE that they are living there? Even IF you prove that they are living there, it's very probable that the magistrate won't evict them on this issue anyway, especially in a socialist state like Washington.

Instead of all this nonsense, I would simply do a month to month lease. Put in your lease that the named tenant is the only one to occupy the property. When the riff-raff arrives, give her the proper notice that the lease is terminated and be done with them.

BTW, I also agree with the others about checking with previous landlords and DEFINITELY do a criminal background check on both the woman and her boyfriend (even though he's not going to live there - yeah right)!

Mike

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:22AM by Michael Rossi

Eric Wang

Real Estate Investor · San Jose, California

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Icon_minipost Aug 17 '09, 07:02 AM

As someone has already mentioned, in CA you are allow 2 person per room plus 1. If they want too add a extra person, they need to sign a new contract. If they don't agree, you can give them a 30 day notice.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:23AM