Relatives as Tenants?

[Sandra May]

Hello. My husband and I are looking to get our feet wet in home rehabbing and land lording. We have extended family in the area many of whom will probably be lifelong renters. We also have two Millennial children who will, knock wood, be out of college and finding their own way in a year. Does anyone have any good stories or cautionary tales about renting to family? Our thoughts are while there might be bumps like late checks, noise complaints we by and large know who were are dealing with and that as far as our own children are concerned, some of the rent they pay will wind up in the family estate. We'd still want to do all paperwork just as we would an unknown tenant who passed our screening tools and make it known that if it comes to it we would still be prepared to evict someone who was a problem.

[Peter Sanchez]

I wish I could put into words what a terrible idea it is to rent to family.  My mom decided to rent to my idiot cousin because he has 3 kids and felt sorry for him.  I don't think there has been a month that he hasn't paid rent late.  If it were up to me, I would've evicted him a loooong time ago. 

If want to get the feeling of what it's like to rent to family, without actually doing it.  Then for the next year, just go to the refridgerator on the first of every month, open it, put your head inside, and just slam it repeatedly.