Re: Maximun number of adults - Landlord Forum thread 337663

Re: Maximun number of adults by Andrea (GA) on July 27, 2015 @20:06

You might want to check your local ordinances. Most will specify a maximum occupancy limit. The limit will usually be based on number of bedrooms and likely will specify no more than two people per bedroom. If that is the limit in your area then it will not help you, but it's something to check. You also mention parking limitations--is your property part of a complex or association with rules regarding parking? If so, you would be responsible for ensuring that the tenants did not violate those rules. (But you seem to be making a lot of assumptions--you first need to actually figure out if they have 6 cars).

You will want to avoid even the appearance of possible discrimination, so tread lightly. The most important question is--do they qualify for your rental? How do their individual credit histories, incomes, and past references stack up? Because they are all adults, they all should have to go through credit and background checks (and pay the fee to do this, since I assume you charge one). Most LLs would require that they all be on the lease and be jointly and severally liable, which means that each individual has to be able to meet the terms of the lease on his/her own (including income). Whatever your criteria, it must be applied to every potential tenant.

Now, the real question...is this your only prospective tenant? If so, why? Or is this just the first? Unless you are in a difficult rental market, I would expect you to have multiple interested parties. I take applications over a pre-selected time period, collecting multiple applications. Then I decide who best meets my criteria. I let everyone know that I will not be making a decision until after that time frame is over--and then, only if someone qualifies. If this is your only prospect, try to figure out why. Increasing your tenant pool should provide you with more qualified applicants.

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Re: Maximun number of adults by Tom on July 27, 2015 @20:31	[ Reply ]

It's 6 unrelated people - couples but not married. Does California have a regulation about it? Where can I find it? For income qualification I look for $75K annual. Are you really saying that I should expect each of the 6 people to have such an income, for a household sum of $600K?

Re: Maximun number of adults by Andrea (GA) on July 27, 2015 @21:55	[ Reply ]

I am saying that many LLs do require each person to qualify individually, yes. Why? Because situations involving multiple adults living together are often very fluid. If six adults need to live together to afford rent, what happens when one or more of them moves out, which often happens? What if the one or two that move are the ones that earn the majority of the rent money? There are many LLs that even require married couples to each qualify individually--I have waived this in the case of stay-at-home moms, but it's really no different. Bottom line, only you can determine what your qualifying criteria will be and stick to it. To say it is unusual for 6 unmarried adults to be renting an apartment together is an understatement (unless they are students, in which case just get the parents to co-sign the lease). But whether or not you require the individual income qualification, you absolutely should require completed apps, credit and background checks for each, including the associated fee (from each). Agree with J that the problem may resolve itself if they each have to pay, knowing that they still may not qualify.