House Hacking - Tell Tenant You're the Owner?

[Sarah Rivero]

Hi All, 

We recently purchased a duplex we're planning on house hacking-- we're going to live in one unit and rent out the other. 

As we begin the process of looking for a tenant to rent the other unit, we're wondering how we should frame the relationship with prospective tenants. Should we tell them up-front we're the owners of the property and that they'll be living next to us or should we try to be more discreet? 

We're planning on making quite a few updates to the property, like putting in patios for each unit, fencing, landscaping, etc. If we don't tell them we're the owner, they might start getting suspicious when they see us making these changes.

The last thing we would want is for them to feel like we're being dishonest landlords, but we also want to maintain some boundaries and make it a little easier to enforce rules if need be.

Thanks for your help!

[Jack Edgar jr]

We have been in our flat for 5 years with 3 different tenants. Each tenant knows we are the owner and built a friendly relationship with them over their stay. To what extent you tell them how you structured the deal, bought the property or anything personal for that matter is up to you.  whatever you decide, since their going to be your neighbor, I'd treat them as such. I.e. Have a drink from time to time, talk shop, etc. For us it's allowed for knowing ahead of time their situation, understanding of building related matters that might arise, and loyalty in a way. Hope this helps.