Renting a Room in Owner-Occupied House

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by mathjak107

“In the state of New York, anti-discrimination laws cover most types of housing, with four main exceptions: one- or two-family owner-occupied buildings. room rentals in housing for individuals of the same sex, such as college dormitories or boarding houses where all residents are of the same sex.”

The New York State Human Rights Law applies to nearly all housing accommodations.

The only exceptions are:

Rental units in two-family homes occupied by the owner.
Example: A two-family home where the owner lives in one of the units is not covered by the Human Rights Law.

Rentals in rooming houses occupied by the owner or member of the owner’s family.
Example: A rooming house with a resident owner is not covered by the Human Rights Law.

It is important to remember that although the Human Rights Law does not apply to these housing accommodations, federal or local fair housing laws may apply.

The above is just an excerpt. Here is a link to the entire laws/regs:

https://dhr.ny.gov/system/files/docu...guide-2021.pdf

[mathjak107]

Originally Posted by Elke Mariotti

The New York State Human Rights Law applies to nearly all housing accommodations.

The only exceptions are:

Rental units in two-family homes occupied by the owner.
Example: A two-family home where the owner lives in one of the units is not covered by the Human Rights Law.

Rentals in rooming houses occupied by the owner or member of the owner’s family.
Example: A rooming house with a resident owner is not covered by the Human Rights Law.

It is important to remember that although the Human Rights Law does not apply to these housing accommodations, federal or local fair housing laws may apply.

The above is just an excerpt. Here is a link to the entire laws/regs:

https://dhr.ny.gov/system/files/docu...guide-2021.pdf

key word is nearly , but there are some exceptions.

here in nyc we have exceptions to most things.

as a former investor in nyc rent stabilized co-ops for 15 years i can write a book on exceptions

[Kiru]

Thank you everyone! For some reason City-Data wasn’t telling me about responses. Sounds like I better skip it. The insurance was a good point. It’s high enough already! Thankfully we’re not in dire straits but it’d be nice to have some little extra coming in. Will rethink the plan!

[staystill]

It is a really bad idea. You will need to do a criminal background check even if it's a young adult in school in am and working in pm. Then spends time studying at the library. You cannot dare assume whomever you rent out a room to is safe to live with.

They could also be mentally ill and not on their meds. They could have a revolving door of people always comeing in to see them which will disturb your privacy even more. Do you really want to share your bathroom with a stranger?

Also you would have to notify your homeowners insurance because if they fall and sue you then you will be screwed and not covered because they were not on the homeowner's insurance policy. It is different when you are accepting money from a tenant. If you wanted them to leave and that person decides tough nookies on you he/she refuses to then you got a real nasty problem.

I really hope you don't take this risk. I like the idea of starting a little side job to bring in a few bucks or a hobby that brings in a few bucks.