Tenants Pay on Time but Are Loud

[Steven Thuyen]

Hi Everyone,

Quick background. I am currently househacking living in a 5BR and 4BA Single Family Home. I currently rent out 4 rooms and stay in the last one. 2 out of the 4 rooms are being rented out by a family (2 Parents, 8 Year Old and 5 Year Old). 

Currently, I have been going back and forth on whether or not to renew the lease for the family. The pros - pay on time, clean the house, and occasionally cook for me. 

The con - The 5 year old and 8 year old can get loud, especially in the mornings before school and I know it bothers my other tenants (even though they don't say anything). The 5 year old can throw tantrums sometimes and I am afraid that the kids get on the nerves on my current tenants and future potential ones as well.

What would you guys do in this situation or have any feedback? They pay on time and are clean, which is very important as a landlord but also the noise is getting really annoying. Thank you!

[Mike Tamulevich]

@Steven Thuyen, 

sounds like you’ve got a great setup with reliable tenants, but I get why the noise is giving you second thoughts. When it comes to house hacking, balancing rent stability with a good living environment is key. Even if your other tenants haven’t complained, it’s worth addressing now before it becomes a bigger issue.

Before making a decision on the lease renewal, I’d have a direct but respectful conversation with the family. Let them know you appreciate how they take care of the place and pay on time, but the noise has become noticeable. See if they’re open to working on a solution, whether that’s quiet hours in the mornings or adjusting routines to minimize disruption. How they respond will tell you a lot. If they’re dismissive or unwilling to compromise, that might make your decision easier.

Long-term, think about your tenant mix. If your goal is to keep attracting renters who prioritize a quiet space, this might not be the best fit. But if the family is willing to adjust and you’d rather avoid turnover, setting clear expectations for noise could make renewing the lease a reasonable option.

Ultimately, reliable tenants are valuable, but they also need to contribute to a comfortable environment for everyone. If this situation is making you second-guess your living arrangement, it’s probably worth making a change.