Occupants per room limit

[Greg Downey]

BP crew,

Quick question regarding Missouri Landlord Tenant law. Is there a limit to how many people can be living in a home per bedroom? I ask because I have an application that I will in all likelihood be denying as they have 6 children (2 adult) that applying to live in my 1600sqft 3/2 SFH. I like to have good reason for denying someone though. I just want to make sure that all of my ducks are in a row.

[Andrew B.]

I cannot speak to Missouri law, but I have heard that HUD guidelines are 2 per bedroom, plus one. That being said, in every state I know of the landlord is able to set maximum occupancy at whatever level they desire, as long as it does no exceed local ordinances. that means you should be ok to say, a 3 bedroom has a limit of 4 humans/people if you so desire. (when setting limits never specify adults or children as any differentiation can be considered discrimination).

you best bet right now is to write down your rental criteria for this property, and assuming you don't want to rent to 8 people, write down that your limit is any number under 7. that way when you deny, you have written proof of your criteria.