I have a large 3/1 duplex. It is in a good high density area. It is hard to rent to one family or two roommates. I was considering 3 roommates, I pay utilities, I manage all roommates individually. I’d get more rent than a single family this way as well. What are the pitfalls other than dirty dishes among roomies? I can get a cleaning service once a week and still come out ahead. What about someone with kids who want to share one of the 3 bedrooms? I was thinking 3 single adults, interns at local hospital, college grads, etc. Is this a can of worms? How do you screen for this situation?

That's called a rooming house-- you rent by the room, with common areas like the kitchen and the living room, and often the bathrooms.

Rooming houses are distinct from boarding houses in that board-- ie, meals --are not included in the rent.

The first thing to be aware of is whether or not your local zoning allows it. Usually, boarding houses will be regulated, but rooming houses, less so.

The second thing is to be aware of how many unrelated individuals are allowed to live in one residence, under local ordinance. Normally, it's going to be something like 4 or 5-- but if you're in an area with a major university close by, it might be tightened up to 2 or 3. Definitely check.

The third thing to be aware of is parking. Can you park 3 vehicles on the premises without annoying your tenants or the neighbors?

The fourth thing I'd wonder about is furnishings. Once you rent things by the room, you also may be expected to provide (beds? chairs? desks? couches? kitchen equipment? linens? etc). See what's normal/expected in your area. Browse through your local CL and check out the "rooms for rent" ads. See who you want to be like, and who you don't want to be like.

Deanna offered some good thoughts to consider, BUT it is NOT the same as a rooming house - in my experience.

A rooming house is zoned (& perhaps regulated) differently. It's more "commercial"

In my city, in a single-family residential zone, up to 3 unrelated people can share a home with no change in zoning or special permission needed.

You must check with your city zoning folks - may be able to find it online - to see what if any restrictions would apply to your duplex.

You are correct, in that you can get more rent that way. Young-ish students and interns may like yard care & cleaning service included for their convenience.

There are very different opinions on this - which I'm sure we'll see soon - but it can definitely be successful. I've seen 2 approaches that both work. 1) All 3 on the same Rental agreement - requires them all to move in and out at the same time, which may not happen. (I think this is harder)

2) Each has their own Rental agreement, and their own security deposit. I recommend month-to-month. Every time someone moves, do a thorough inspection of all common areas. Whenever damage is found in a common area, split the bill between all residents - unless one will "fess up" and take responsibility.

I suggest once a prospect has been at least pre-screened, let the current residents be involved in an "interview/meeting" with the prospect to see if they seem OK together. During that time, discuss things like night-owl vs early-bird, taste in music, neat-freak vs pile-file (never dirty), temperature preference. Watch body language & pay close attention to the hesitant responses.

You might also consider something like guaranteeing they will never pay more than 1/2 of the utilities - you would pick up the difference during a ( rare, unexpected) extended vacancy.

Furnishings: Negotiable, but the type of tenant you suggest (young, transitory) would probably appreciate at least basic furnishings.

Someone with kids mixed with students could be challenging, but 2 single parents who put the kids in the third bedroom & work different shifts - trading childcare (for example) could work well. Use your imagination and you'll figure it out and do well.