Number of bedrooms vrs. number of people to occupy

Started by EileenE1 • 8 replies • 5003 views

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EileenE1 (Florida)
Posts: 9

Posted:

I live in Florida and I know some states have a limit of the number of people that can occupy a unit. Does anyone know where I might be able to obtain this info. We have a unit for rent which is either a two or three bedroom unit and from what I am told the group wanting to fill out the application is seven;two adults and five children.

JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,569

Posted:

OMG...CHILDREN...FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES

Some HOAs have occupancy limits (mine is 2 persons per bedroom), some codes have occupancy limits per square footage, some may have per bedroom.

A 'bedroom' must have an exterior window and/or an exterior door + a fixed source of heat + a fixed wardrobe or closet + may not be a 'walk-through' room to another room.

IMO: 2 adults and 5 children is NOT unreasonable for a 3 bedroom dwelling, but MIGHT be disallowable for 2 bedrooms. However, the addition of a fixed (bolted to wall) wardrobe in the livingroom + a sofabed would make a legal bedroom.

Remember; the Federal Fair Housing Act was designed to protect families from people who don't like children ..... tread very very lightly.

PeterD3 (Florida)
Posts: 708

Posted:

I wouldn't even tread.

AnnD2 (Connecticut)
Posts: 76

Posted:

Call your local City mayor's office. Those kinds of ordinances are generally the purview of zoning and/or planning offices. They often define a room in terms of its dimensions and then will give any limitations on usage and occupancy. Some city's have their ordinances published online.

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

Eileen:

Does your HOA have a policy in place for this?

Our local government had none.
Board of health had none.

Our attorney advised us we could establish our own under rules and regulations.

Our decision 2 people per bedroom. Seems reasonable.

So even under those limits you would exceed that amount.

This is your unit? And you would be comfortable renting it out to someone with 5 kids in terms of living arrangements?

I own several properties and would NOT allow 7 people to live in a three bedroom unit. One bedroom would be occupied by three. With today's economy I see it all the time 2, 3 or more people in a one bedroom unit sharing costs.

Single Mothers and their kids looking to live in a one bedroom unit. And while I understand the financial reasons I would not allow this in one of my properties.

JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,569

Posted:

"One bedroom would be occupied by three."

Mom and Dad > one bedroom

8 yr old bro. + 9 yr old bro > second bedroom (bunk bed?)

4 yr old sis. + 3 yr old sis. + 5 yr old sis. > third bedroom (bunk + day bed?)

WHERE IS THE PROBLEM ???????

Oh, yeah, CHILDREN !

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

John:

So if the property has a rule about 2 people in each bedroom what is the problem?

Or because you see it as reasonable the property's view doesn't matter.

How many people should be allowed to occupy one bedroom?

And this has nothing to do with children as you seem to suggest. I would not want 7 adults living in a 3 bedroom unit either. Or would that be ok in your view?

PeterD3 (Florida)
Posts: 708

Posted:

The OP must not live in South Fl.

Here it is common for many families to live in one home.

Some ethnicities are more prone to this behavior than others.

It is VERY difficult to prove (and enforce) who LIVES there and who "visits overnight".

Good Luck.

PjW (Virginia)
Posts: 71

Posted:

Not sure the issue is children, I think what Eileen is concerned about is overcrowding.

Really you have to follow your hoa rules, state laws and Fair Housing. I can't remember what it is but somewhere there in a memo about occupancy its something like 72 sq ft per person for a living space, the only rooms it rules out is space in bathrooms and closets. I can't remember the name of the memo, I heard it at a seminar.

Overcrowding is a tough and very sensitive issue. Tread lightly and respectfully (not that you wouldn't

) people don't like to be told who can stay in their homes, even if your only concern is safety.

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