better to rent to family or roomates

Is it better to rent to a family or a bunch of room-mates getting together. I have a 4 bedroom townhome. I have gotten requests from families with 2 kids and requests from 4 friends who want to room together to save on rent.

My goal is not necessarily highest rent but competitive rent with least amount of headache.

Also if you rent to 4 friends how to you write a lease and get checks etc. I mean 1 of the roommates may leave the others. what happens etc? also i don't want to collect seperate checks from everyone.