Is it illegal to rent out rooms from your house?
If I was to rent out my house, is it legal to rent out a room from your house to someone? I’ve got a neighbor that has about 5 people renting out their house. They are using the garage and other rooms in the house. I’m in Orange County, California. Does anyone know if Orange County ordinance allows this? Thanks.
Let me say that I’m not a lawyer nor anyone on this blog, unless they comment as state so, so what I’m going to tell you should not be viewed as legal advice. For legal advice you need to consult an attorney that specializes in property management law in Orange County, California.
With that said, here is my opinion. It is legal but you can have no more than 4 unrelated people living there.
You can’t exceed 2 people per bedroom so if 5 people are renting out your house (at least 2 of the 5 people must be related), you need at least 3 bedrooms. The garage and other rooms do not count unless the garage was LEGALLY converted into a bedroom.
Tags: bedrooms, county ordinance, how to rent out your house, lawyer, legal advice, management law, orange county california, property management
July 1st, 2009 at 2:16 am
I don’t think it’s illegal if its your house you are renting out. You can do what you want unless you live in a home owners association. Those darn home owners associations ruin all the fun! ;)
July 1st, 2009 at 2:26 am
I dont see why not! It’s just like renting out a house but its only one room.
July 1st, 2009 at 2:38 am
It’s not zoned as a multi-family rental. It’s zoned as a “single family home”. This means that you can not rent out rooms in the house to unrelated people.
July 1st, 2009 at 3:21 am
Perfectly legal, it’s their house and they can do what they like. In some areas there are rules on how many people can occupy a property of a certain size as regards health and safety and environmental factors. I.e every has to be able to get out quickly in the event of a fire etc.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:00 am
Is the property zoned a single family home? If it is in a subdivision it probably is and then it is ILLEGAL.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:56 am
As long as there are not more than 2 people per bedroom it is perfectly legal. So with 9 people it would be legal as long as it is at least a 4 bedroom house.
The bigger question here is why do you care? Unless those people are causing a problem in the neighborhood it is really none of your business. If they are causing a problem then call the police.