I've had a no visitors rule in my rooming house since I started. I was very cautious and mindful of the horror stories of tenants in rooming houses and I didn't know they type of tenant I'd have so I didn't want a bunch of folks I didn't know coming and going out of the place. As it turns out, the tenants are not unlike my apartment tenants and all are either working or older folks on SSI. I've made exceptions to the rule occasionally for caregivers, babysitters and parents. The rule currently is that the tenant must request permission for a visitor.

I'm thinking of relaxing this rule and am thinking of doing the following:

1) Tenant can be evicted if their visitors cause any issues

2) All visitors must leave the building by 11. No overnight visitors.

3) Visitors are not allowed to cook.

4) Visitors must remain in tenant's room.

5) Visitors can not be given door codes.

I have a very quiet building and very low tenant turnover. I want to keep it that way, but also want to let the tenants have a bit more freedom. Thoughts?

Apart from caregivers, parents, and babysitters, how many requests for visitors do you get? Is this something you're responding to because people are petitioning for it, or is this something you're wanting to reward your tenants with because they're awesome and you think they can handle it responsibly?

When I was in undergrad, I lived in female-only dorms. The rules at the time were visitors were limited to the common areas, but guys could visit in the rooms between 12 and 4 on Sundays. In general, most non-residents didn't go prowling through random halls, and your card key access was limited to the doors of your building; you had to go in past the front desk of someone else's building. It worked out pretty well. I didn't particularly mind.

What a nicely written piece of advice from Deanna.

ok. One of good tenants has asked if she could have a visitor. In the past, visitors have always been due to specific needs like care giving or emergency babysitting. This is a straight up social visit not tied to any of that. I've allowed one tenant to have his mother visit a few months back. It's this latest tenant's request that's prompted this. A new tenant wanted to have their son visit a couple of weeks ago, which I declined mainly because they had just moved in and had caused a few problems (leaving the kitchen a mess and being loud after quiet hours). They were having a problem following the other rules, so I wasn't about to permit a visitor.

Point is noted on "why change now" particularly given that everything is working fine. To be honest, I'm trying to accommodate the one tenant while crafting a policy to deal with all of them by loosening things up. I don't have to. I can just keep things the way they are and limit any exceptions to extenuating circumstances as I've been doing.

What I have, which seems to be working well for now is:

(This is from my "House Rules & Regulations")

GUESTS.

Tenant will not invite any more than two guests into the dwelling unit at any time, and then only for a short period of time that does not interfere with other Tenants' quiet enjoyment of the premises. Guests may be present on the property during reasonable daytime hours, defined as between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Guests are not permitted from 10:00PM until 8:00 AM.

Guests will not take part in activities normally reserved for a Tenant only - such as showering, doing laundry or sleeping.

Tenant shall be responsible and fully liable for his conduct and the conduct of other persons on the premises with his consent whether known by the tenant or not.

Tenant agrees not to allow on the premises any excessive noise, or other activity, which disturbs the peace and quiet of others.

Any acts of a guest in violation of the Rental Agreement or House Rules and Regulations may be deemed by Landlord to be a breach by Tenant, and may be grounds for eviction.

I also emphasize at move-in that NOBODY may be given their entrance door code or room key, and the Roomer must be present - never a guest without the roomer. I explain to them the intent is that if their friend is dropping them off/picking them up, and they want to sit down and have a cold drink together - fine. Or watch a TV show together - to give them some context.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If they want guests, buy a house. Take it to an hourly motel, or the local drinkery.

At my 4 plex we had pretty strict rules (to avoid headaches for me). I found tenants who WANTED the rules. No pets, smoking, parties, etc.. We made reasonable accomodation as needed for caregivers, etc. But frankly many older folks are glad to have restrictions on things like guests - and "woofers," those throbbing bass speakers.

DJ, I was hoping you'd comment on this. Thanks for your policy. That last part about the roomer being present-never a guest without the roomer is a good one. Thanks.

Wow!!!!!!!! !! !!!!

In Ontario its illegal for landlords to have restrictions on visitors, or limit over night "guests".

Tenants are allowed to even move in "visitors" permanently. The "visitor" will have legal rights under the residential tenancies act and doesnt even have to give their name to the landlord.

GKARL,

LTD beat me to it - If it ain't broke...

AS you know I am amazed at the lack of drama and problems with your place. MUST be your good management!

I'm with Deanna - a rooming house does not offer the same benefits as an independent apt.

I suspect other than the obvious, overnight "guests" are couch surfers.

Even in our SFHs with super-screened residents we have trouble with boyfriends moving in then causing trouble. I cannot IMAGINE the troubles with this when dealing with lower income folks. (Again, Mothers! train your daughters!!)