too many people for a small house?

[concerned1977]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? VA

I have a small 2 bedroom townhouse (no basement) that I'm trying to rent. I have an interested party that is a married couple with 4 kids (9,7,5 & 4). Before I even consider them and check out their credit and background (and accept the application fee) I wanted to know if it's legal for me to rent to them (too many people for one house? --> Are 4 kids in one bedroom ok?).

I expressed my concern and they told me that their current home is the same size as my rental property and they asked me to speak with their current lanlord who told me that he has never had any problems with them and that the reason they now need to move is because he wants to give the house to a relative. (They live close to the rental property so I also visited their current home to see how it works out with all the kids in one room - they have a clean & tidy house and they set up 2 sets of bunk beds in the kids room).

I tried to look up VA code occupancy resistrictions, but couldn't find anything. Does anyone know if there is such a resistriction in the VA code?

Thanks,

 

[FarmerJ]

Many LLs get concerned about children sharing a room if they are opposite gender but , honestly it really is up to you, not many places actually have a local ord on the books regarding occupancy limits when it comes to bedrooms and body counts . Many LLs limit 2 per bedroom, but Ive also known plenty of LLs who did it case by case.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Munucipalities that have tried to enact laws against too many people living in a house have focused on the number of unrelated people living there. This is because the courts will generally frown upon any attempt by the government to interfere with a family's right to have children.

However, there are zoning regluations for VA that limit the number of adults for a home based upon square footage. It also covers the amount of sleeping space for each resident.

Here is a link to a discussion of the laws as well as discussion of how the VA statutes specifically allow municipalities and homeowners associuations to have their own limits. The article discusses a specific housing development, but it gives a good overall view of the law.

Occupancy Rules

Make sure that you are familiar with VA landlord/tenant law.
http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/HomelessnesstoHomeownership/PDFs/Landlord_Tenant_Handbook.pdf

 

[concerned1977]

Thanks

Thanks to both responses. Once again the forum has been very helpful.

 

[Searchertwin]

Check local ordinance, here in MO, it is two to a bedroom. And if another child is born during their lease, than the ordinance allows the extra child but only for that party. So inquire about a child being born during the lease term.