Renting out rooms vs unit

[Charles Benkendorf]

Hi all,

I'm looking into potential purchase of a vacant duplex in Oakland. I would plan to move into one unit and rent other out. I understand with Measure Y, the second unit would be rent-controlled / eviction protected. However, for the unit that I plan to rent out, is it possible to rent out bedrooms instead of the entire unit? Say it's a 3 bedroom unit, it could be that renting out 3 shared bedrooms could bring in more rent than renting a 3 bedroom.  I'm not thinking of Airbnb or anything, just having standard leases. Plus I'm a little nervous about one person taking the lease, then holding on and renting out the other bedrooms at market rate down the line.

I know it's probably more overhead and perhaps more liability (e.g., if someone damages the stove, can I hold them all responsible if they're all separate?), just looking to understand the trade-offs.

Thanks!