Investor · Indio, CA · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 0 votes
Greetings fellow landlords. Multi unit was purchased a few years ago. Inherited a tenant that already had 2 adults and 3 small children living in a small 2b1ba house. What should we do if the tenant was expecting a 4th? Not that we'd kick them out during this pandemic, but just wanted to get some wisdom on what should or can be done?
Investor · Butler, PA · Member since 2014 · 130 posts · 114 votes
5y
I would say depends on your lease. Does it specifically state 2 people per bedroom or is it ambiguous? Also, are they month to month? If so you can have them move for no reason other than you’re not renewing their lease.
Inspector · Tennessee (nashville and surrounding) · Member since 2020 · 3 posts · 0 votes
5y
A landlord who imposes an unreasonably restrictive limit on the number of people occupying an apartment can violate the fair housing laws. ... Under the rule, a limit on the number of occupants is probably permissible if it allows two people per bedroom plus one additional occupant... would also take into consideration the signed lease agreement, if it doesn't have a limit I would wait until the lease expires then add it in.
Burnaby, BC · Member since 2017 · 282 posts · 268 votes
5y
Unless you're leasing agreement has anything included regarding number of occupants, I don't think there's much you can do. I get the sense you're worried about wear and tear which is a legitimate concern but you can't do anything other than the usual if you have a tenant you want to get rid of.
If they're good tenants, I wouldnt do anything except congratulate them on the new member of the family.
Rental Property Investor · TN · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
5y
If you are on a septic system, then you may have a problem and need to address the occupancy. If you are on sewers, you can offer them another larger house if you have one available as a friendly offer "This just became available, and I thought of you...", but its not a requirement that they move.
Rental Property Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2020 · 433 posts · 284 votes
5y
Check the state laws. Some states you can limit two adults per bedroom, ie 3 bet.= max 6 adults. With children it is different. Why not buy purchase another larger property and move them into that?
Investor · Verona, NJ · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 832 votes
5y
I grew up in a Cape, granted we had 4 bedrooms, but 6 of us and one bathroom, the only problem you will have is hearing them fight over who needs to get into the bathroom. As others have stated here, look at the local laws as to occupancy loads per bedroom, if local does not have anything, move to county laws, then state and Federal, but to tell them to move because they are having another child is a slippery slope.
Rental Property Investor · MI · Member since 2019 · 192 posts · 205 votes
5y
If they are good tenants, I wouldn’t say anything. If you can raise the rent, do so. I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking someone to leave as a result of adding an additional member to their family ( especially a protected class member ). We all will probably be seeing a lot of this. People are “having fun” during this pandemic. 😊.