Renting to under 25 year-olds?

Question

Got an inquiry on Vrbo about renting our Lake House to recent Clemson Grads coming to see a Clemson Home football game in October.

There will be 8 of them and they are all in their early 20's.

Our rules say you must be 25 or older to rent the house.

What are your thoughts? I'm on the fence.

Ken Boone · Answer

Our rules at all of our places are minimum of 25 years. However, over the years we have rented to many who are under 25 including all the way down to 18.

The ones we rented to have all contacted us first and told us they like our listing but saw that the minimum age is 25 and then went on to tell us about themselves and what they will be doing and the make up of their group.

We figure if they are responsible enough to read the entire listing and then contact us and ask for permission AND we like what they are telling us about their plans and the makeup of the group, they are probably responsible enough to rent my place.

In all cases we have done this, we have not had a single issue.

Erik Estrada · Answer

I started my mortgage business when I was 21 years old.. I am now 26. I work with clients that are over 60 years old and own multiple units. If they are able to trust me with their financial information, why couldn't you trust someone in their early 20s that recently graduated college?

Mike Shemp · Answer

That's a tough one.  We're also 25+ for our rentals.

This might sound like a strange approach, but if you do accept them, considering buying them a $50 gift card to a restaurant somewhere as thank-you for renting your property.  Over the years I've had a couple of guests that became problematic after accepting the booking, but before arriving at the property.  To the point where I was dreading when their check-in date was coming because I knew it was not going to be a good experience.  In those few cases, by sending them a small gift prior to arrival and using the law of reciprocity, it has saved me some headaches.  In almost all cases they magically were no trouble at all after that.  Not that your potential guests are problematic, but it may help avoid issues.  Not saying it's 100% success rate, but have found there to be something with this worth exploring.

Mike

Carl Davis · Answer

What are you on the fence about? Those are your rules probably for a reason right?

Trent Reeve · Answer

I have 2 houses I manage and rent to under 25. I do communicate that we are a non-party house and if they understand that and agree to follow the house rules, we are happy to host them. Yes, sometimes they are a little dirtier or careless than normal, but hasnt really been a problem. Its all about the people, i trust my 19 and 22 yr old more than some 35+ yr olds that have left my place a disaster.

Lauren Kormylo · Answer

I allow 18 and over and haven't had a problem.  If they are grads, they are 21 or 22.  Since your rules say 25 and over, and they are politely asking, I would remind them of the rules (noise, parties), say that's why you have the age restriction, and tell them that they are welcome as long as they agree to follow those rules and leave the house in good order.

Jules Aton · Answer

Excessive alcohol, smoking and all that comes with it would be my concerns. Any chance you can communicate with a parent who would be the actual tenant and young adults would be their guests? Maybe a security deposit?

Travis Timmons · Answer

Easy - the demand for a lake house near Clemson on a home football weekend is very high. You get to pick your guests. Don't take the group of 23 year old guys.

We've done groups as young as 18-19 but only during the offseason when I don't think the houses would otherwise book. I also make a phone call before they show up with a bit of a stern father figure tone...bit of a "I decided to take a chance on you. Please don't let me down." I think we've had 5 under 25 groups - 4 were solid and 1 basically trashed the house.

Chris Seveney · Answer

If you were to accept, would you require an additional deposit or have a parent provide some type of guarantee?

John Underwood · Answer

No I wouldn't.

Like other have said they were responsible enough to make it through college.

Renting to under 25 year-olds?

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