Is 'renting a room' considered as 'renting a unit'?

Started by SamK3 • 7 replies • 1485 views

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SamK3 (Washington)
Posts: 3

Posted:

Hi,

I am looking forward to purchase a townhouse in Seattle. I found this HOA document (https://www.seattlehousing.org/business/consulting/pdf/4332Exhibit_E_RVEHOA_CCRs_Addendum1.pdf), and it states that 'Rental of Homeowner units is discouraged', and it has following 3 rental restrictions (from page 34).

1. No unit may be rented for a total of more than three years under an owner[...]
2. No owner shall lease the unit for one year after conveyance of the unit to an owner[...]
3. Rental Cap. The rental cap is 7.5% of the Units.[...]

The thing I am curious is that, these constraints were written with term 'Unit'. Is 'renting a room to a stranger' considered as 'renting a unit'? I will still be primarily living in my townhouse, and 'renting an extra room' to my friends/colleagues/strangers will help me financially at some level.

The HOA document does not seem to have any policy about 'Renting a room or rooms'. So I decided to ask HOA experts here to learn about it.

Is 'renting a room' same as 'renting a unit'?

MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556

Posted:

Your link is a Seattle Housing Authority document pertaining to SHA properties. Why would it affect you?

SamK3 (Washington)
Posts: 3

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MarkM31 on 04/12/2015 7:34 PM
Your link is a Seattle Housing Authority document pertaining to SHA properties. Why would it affect you?

I am confused. This is the document that I received from the listing agent when I asked for HOA rules.

MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556

Posted:

I think I have a grasp on it. Are you thinking of buying a unit at Rainier Vista? It is a mixed housing development by the city of Seattle, with some units for sale. I suspect SHA will always have the votes to control the HOA, unless some votes go to apartment rental companies.

I don't think that renting a room is equivalent to renting a unit, but what may come into play is 10.5.4. But in that case, the limits on exactly what comprises a "household" in the city of Seattle is so broad, and the legal leeway so wide, I don't think you will have an issue

NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216

Posted:

In addition to 10.5.4, you might be affected by 13.2.2. You should get a copy of the "Guiding Principles" described in that section.

Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.

MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556

Posted:

13.2 is the key, and it addresses renting a unit, which I would say is different than renting a room.

After dealing with SHA audited Section 8's next door to a SHA owned building on Alder, I would actually recommend staying away for a house where SHA has sway. They are way more concerned with their neighbors than they are with maintaining their own property. They'll come and raise hell about the poor condition of the sidewalk in front of the privately held Section 8, even though it is in better condition than the sidewalk in front of their property 12 feet away.

SamK3 (Washington)
Posts: 3

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MarkM31 on 04/12/2015 8:26 PM
13.2 is the key, and it addresses renting a unit, which I would say is different than renting a room.

After dealing with SHA audited Section 8's next door to a SHA owned building on Alder, I would actually recommend staying away for a house where SHA has sway. They are way more concerned with their neighbors than they are with maintaining their own property. They'll come and raise hell about the poor condition of the sidewalk in front of the privately held Section 8, even though it is in better condition than the sidewalk in front of their property 12 feet away.

Hi Mark,

I am sheerly amazed by your expert knowledge on this area. Thank you for all your replies on this thread. Unfortunately, the house that I was interested in went out of market after receiving multiple offers. That took only 3 days for the house to get on market and to receive that many offers. I am starting to think if it is good idea at all to buy at this market.

I appreciate your feedback. It was actually fun to read HOA rules and learn about it. I am glad to see someone like you who is familiar with Seattle area on this forum. Among Northgate, Central District, Beacon Hill and West Seattle, which neighborhood do you think is the best neighborhood to buy property for someone who is looking for primary residence + investments in the future?

MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SamK3 on 04/12/2015 9:08 PM
Among Northgate, Central District, Beacon Hill and West Seattle, which neighborhood do you think is the best neighborhood to buy property for someone who is looking for primary residence + investments in the future?

The CD and Beacon are gentrifying the most. Northgate is becoming ghetto and West Seattle has always been rather nice, but pricey

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