Properties with "IN LAW QUARTERS" for rental

[Sam Leon]

I am looking to purchase properties for rentals. So far I have purchased 3 properties, two SFH and one apartment in a fourplex. So far so good.

Recently I noticed a bunch of properties available that are SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, but with a detached "IN LAW QUARTER" in the back.

For example, there is this 2200 SF 3 bedroom 3 bath home in a very nice neighborhood, with a small building in the back which is a 700 SF studio.

The main house is a very nice 1930s house, with all original floor and windows, a house in the historic district, all custom and well preserved. I have a soft spot for house with charm and character and this is one, but I digress.

Going back to my question on these houses with detached quarters, do they really work as rentals?

Agent says sure, you rent the main house for $1800 and the studio in the back for $700.

However, how would one "manage" that?

First of all, I am thinking the demographics of those who would rent a 5/3 house, probably a larger family...would they want to share the yard, parking etc...with someone else living in the back? I am thinking probably not.

The water, electric etc...are together, off a single meter. How would these strangers work out who pays what? Then there is only one mail box, or if they want to install a satellite dish or whatever, it's a single address...seems like a headache.

It seems to be the more practical way to rent is to rent the whole thing and let the tenant "sublease" the studio out, another headache.

Do you guys stay away from these tandem properties or is there something I am missing?