Is it legal to rent rooms and How many rooms can I rent out (rentals)

[wonderboya]

My house has 5 bedrooms. since kids are all out I want to rent the 4 not used bedrooms. This is a one family house. Is it legal to rent them? I live in Morris county, Hanover Township

Thank you very much!

[Jerseyt719]

I don't see why not. Lots of people do it.

Although don't count on me for legalities as this is one area I know nothing about.

I guess it's no different than having a room mate though.

[0706772]

I would be very careful letting people into my home.

[MaverickDD]

It's all about what town you live in. Some municipalities permit owner-occupants to rent to boarders and others do not. To get a "first answer," call the Hanover Township building department. Ask them if boarding is allowed in your town.

Even if the town prohibits it, the recent trend has been to ignore these restrictions. Rulings in some court cases have gone against the legal restrictions and in favor of the homeowner. If the town tells you that it's against the law but you really want to do this, consult an attorney. Boarding out rooms may technically be against the law but it may be an unenforceable law that would be overturned by a judge if you were to challenge it and/or the town were to prosecute you.

You've started off the right way. You're asking the questions before getting yourself into what may become a sticky situation. That's commendable.

[Kevin1975]

I couldn't find anything concrete, you'll have to check with the town. I doubt you will be able to rent out all 5 bedrooms. They might consider that a rooming house. Don't think your neighbors would be too happy with that, especially if you are in a single family zone. The town might require certain safety requirements in case of fire.

[nutleynut]

I'm guessing your neighbors reactions will be based on who you rent to. Don't you have a lot of neices and nephews going to some local school?;-}
I'd try the local rental housing association, they can teach you how to do a background check and tell you if it is legal, and you can join them and learn all the other aspects you wil have to be familiar with.

[angelo129]

I would be very careful with this and make sure it's legal before you do anything. Check with your township office, they should be able to give you that information or tell you where to get it. Keep in mind also that if your neighbors don't like what you're doing, they can make a great deal of trouble for you even in the event that you keep within what's legal. They have access to lawyers too, and the last thing you want is to be served with papers and have to respond to them. If you're wise, you'll ask them if they'd have any objections. You don't have to abide by them, but their response will tell you whether they're likely to take action against you or not.

I've seen both sides of this question. As someone who lived next to a single family house where the people rented out rooms (illegally) I can tell you that it was awful to live next to. Far too many cars and too much activity and noise and comings and goings at all hours of the day and night. If I'd owned the house I was renting, I would have called my lawyer - as it was, I came to the end of my lease and moved. I mention this so that you'll take into consideration the possibility that your neighbors will very strongly object, even if you abide by the legalities. If they do, they can hand you more trouble, costly trouble, than the rentals would be worth.

[joe moving]

Call the town. Sounds like from past questions, there will be SOME limit to UNRELATED people living in a house.