Single Family Homes

Started by ToddB6 • 8 replies • 1689 views

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ToddB6 (Washington)
Posts: 5

Posted:

I had a quick question. In our current CCR's it states that all homes are considered Single Family homes.

Lately (meaning with the economy) alot of home owners are now renting in our HOA. For the most part there is single families living in the rentals. We have owner who consitantly rents to people where is like 5 to 6 people (alot are young men with girl friends and a couple single guys) living there and not a family. These are the same people we have the issue with. (parties, people speeding throught our complex, etc).

I did read a definition:

The definition of this type of house may vary between legal jurisdictions or statistical agencies. The definition, however, generally includes two elements:
a single-family (home, house, or dwelling) means that the building is usually occupied by just one household or family, and consists of just one dwelling unit or suite. In some jurisdictions allowances are made for basement suites or mother-in-law suites without changing the description from "single family". It does exclude, however, any short term accommodation (hotel, motels, inns), large-scale rental accommodation (rooming or boarding houses, apartments), or condominiums.

Does that mean since it is a rental we have no right to complain that there is multiple people living there?

JeffR7 (California)
Posts: 251

Posted:

Single Family Home is type of Deed, not occupancy rules.

What do your CC&Rs say about rentals? Some will limit a number of occupants, some will require a minimum one year lease, etc.

What do your local laws state about number of people living in a unit. Frequently it's two people per bedroom plus one person

ToddB6 (Washington)
Posts: 5

Posted:

Yeah nothing in the CCR's about rentals. I guess my only situation is to talk to the owner and voice my concerns and if he listens then I guess that is better then nothing.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Todd,

It means that the building/house may not be converted or used as a multiple family unit. It does not say that a person cannot rent out the unit or have a roommate. When the deed restrictions are written, the intent is to not allow a multi unit structure. We often read way to much into the "single family" thing.

But if your association does not allow renters, then that would be the governing covenant. No renters means no renters, even withing a single family occupied unit.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Some locales have restrictions on the number of unrelated people living in a house per bedroom, or something like that.

Other then that, I do not see many alternatives.

BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640

Posted:

Todd:

As others have posted what they are doing is probably not against any rules, but would have you check the following:

1. local municipal codes related to occupancy, you might find a diamond in the rough there to use.
2. Your CC&R's may have some rental restrictions

Beyond that if the tenants are causing issues first contact the police if it is that matter and secondly bring to the attention of the landlord and ask for their assistance in the matter.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Single family - House with shared bathroom, kitchen, sinks, as a single unit.

Multi Family - House with two or more separate bathrooms, kitchens, sinks, etc, in separate units with separate secure entrances.

It has nothing to do with who lives there, how they are related, etc. Your local code enforcement / health inspector may have laws in your town about max amount of people per bedroom, etc, but other than that they are doing nothing wrong. Many people confuse the term "family" when it has nothing to do with a actual family, its just an architecture term.

LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099

Posted:

Based on the experiences of an acquaintance who planned to build a home with an apartment for his widowed mother, the test that the county zoning department applies is the number of kitchens. If there is more than one kitchen it is considered multiple-family housing. If there was just one kitchen, it is a single-family home regardless of the number of people living there.

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

I just saw a book in the How To section at Lowe's titled "Grannie Flats"
It seems that more people are turning garages, creating separate but connected buildings, and/o adding small wings to their homes to house grandparents. They contain an open floor plan with a kitchen, bath and living area that also serves as bedroom. These ranged from 500 - 800 square ft. in size. Zoning issues would be of concern.

I just thought it was quite interesting.

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