What's a Decent Curfew for a Multifamily Property?

Question

Do any other landlords impose a curfew at your properties?...if so, what time?

Anastasia Jordan · Answer

Give grown folks who pay rent a curfew? Where they do that at?

Chris Martin · Answer

You won't find a direct answer to your question, but in HUD Handbook 4350.3: Occupancy Requirements of Subsidized Multifamily Housing Programs you can get a feel for what will "pass" and what will not. I know this is a guide for HUD subsidized housing including (primarily) Section 8 Project-Based Assistance. That doesn't mean you can't follow the guidelines for 'market' property.

Page 6-19 has a section, 6-9, entitled "House Rules" that I suggest you read before establishing your curfew rules. Here is a summary of the Section:

- Developing a set of house rules is a good practice - The decision about whether to develop house rules for a property rests with the owner- House rules need to be listed in the lease (addenda or otherwise)- House rules must not be discriminatory ("create a disparate impact") per federally protected classes

As pointed out, some tenants may find the concept and term curfew derogatory. I contend that for some properties, curfew like rules (e.g. regulating unattended minors) as spelled out in Figure 6-6 may be well received by tenants.

Colleen F. · Answer

The town ordinances usually work for noise and you can use them to reinforce quiet hours. If there is a noise issue then you will hear about it.  For Laundry rooms post a time if it will be disturbing to other tenants.  I usually discuss noise on showing bringing up that the building is older , noise travels, and people need to get up in the morning to work so night time is quiet time. I think saying curfew will put people off.  I suggest loud after 11pm is not acceptable, one local town says midnight but they will enforce at 12:01  for students. Never saw anyone other then students ticketed.  I definitely wouldn't say curfew except for maybe a shared playground/barbeque area.

Account Closed · Answer

Check with the local town regarding noise ordinances, parking, loitering, large gatherings, etc. Good luck.

Andrew S. · Answer

I assume you mean some sort of cutoff time for excessive noise (loud partying, lawnmowers on Sunday mornings, etc), not an ACTUAL curfew, right?

I don't see how a real curfew would be enforceable (or legal, for that matter), nor why you'd want to impose one.

Christine Swaidan · Answer

Our "quiet time" is 8pm to 8am in our public areas.

John Thedford · Answer

Wow! Can that be done? Why would you consider one? NEVER ever heard of that in RE but times are changing!

What's a Decent Curfew for a Multifamily Property?

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