How many different people can I rent my condo out to?

Question

Hi! New to this platform! Really excited to learn from you all!

I have a condo that I plan to rent out. I'm wondering if there is California law limiting how many people I can rent it to? I heard long ago from others that there is restriction on how many different households can be under a roof (for school district purposes). I could be wrong about what I heard. Basically, how many people I can rent my condo to with individual leases without violating any potential law? Or this is not even a concern? This might be a simple question but I just don't know where to start with my research. Thank you.

Account Closed · Answer

Not true at all.

Thomas S. · Answer

Don't do it. Renting to unrelated indivulaes is extremely unstable. You will have ongoing drama and be replacing tenants regularly. They will never comply with your lease and most likely be in conflict with the HOA. It will not work in a condo.

Rent it out to a single individual or couple. Way more stable, far less drama.

Andrew B. · Answer

This is ok, assuming it doesn't violate your HOA bylaws, local laws, and occupancy limits. Of course, 3 people in a 3 bedroom should be fine. However, check your HOA bylaws, they may restrict rentals in some way. Also, your local laws may make it illegal to run a boarding house.

Jo-Ann Lapin · Answer

Being that is it a condo. Check your ccr’s too. Also see if you need any extra parking permits for the additional renters .

Theresa Harris · Answer

@Julia Hwang

If they are unrelated, you will be renting rooms.  It is very unlikely that two strangers will want to share a room.  The most you could rent it to would be 3 people.  Depending on the sizes of the rooms, the smaller ones would rent for less.

Julia Hwang · Answer

@Theresa Harris, thank you! Just so I am completely clear, so I can rent my condo to 3+ different occupants who may not know each other (therefore they won't be on the same lease) and that's ok? Are the numbers of tenants restricted by room then? Like if two people decided to share a bigger room can they still be under separate lease agreements? I'm asking because I was inspired by how this apartment building was doing near my college years back. Instead of renting per room to students, they were renting bed spaces. So one room could have two students - and it's very possible they don't know each other so they are on individual leases.

Theresa Harris · Answer

You can do that.  You need to make sure you have something about common space-who is responsible for cleaning it (e.g., tenants or a weekly cleaner), damages, etc.

Julia Hwang · Answer

@Theresa Harris I was thinking about renting rooms in the condo (3 rooms). So would I be able to rent it to 3 different people on individual lease?

Theresa Harris · Answer

Are you planning on renting rooms in the condo to different people?  If not, it is one group of people (single person, couple, family).