Neighbor asking me to sign I won't use my property for business

[Negar P.]

Hi all,

We recently closed on our first deal in California. We are planning to use it as a house hack by renting out two sections of the house and living in the third one (huge single family home)

We want to change a window to a sliding door on one side of the house to create a separate entrance. The neighbor on that side is saying he would only sign the city forms if we write a letter for him and sign that we will never use the house as a business! He specifically mentioned elder care, etc.

Of course we are not planning to do such things in the near future but who knows about later on. As an investor, I don't want to put my future in the hands of somebody else.

This is in California. Is a letter like this even legal or enforceable?

Thanks guys for your help.

[John Underwood]

I would not agree to this. 

Tell him you are going to use this as a business right away if he doesn't the form.