House Hacking a duplex.

[Morgan Martinez]

Hey BP, I am moving into my second investment property which is a duplex, and I was wondering how people would handle the tenant on the other side. Would you tell them you are the new owner, or just give them a number to reach me and tell them I am just renting that side I live in? I also would like to know if I added security system to the whole duplex, how would you go about it? Thank you in advance!

[Michael Pearse]

@Morgan Martinez I would advice not saying you are the owner, otherwise the other renter may ask for leniency when it comes to paying rent, up-keeping the property, ect. If you are not interested in dealing with the other tenant, you could use a property management company to handle everything. I will be doing the same thing if I find a duplex in my local market. 

In terms of adding security, that should be fine as long as you inform the tenant when this upgrade plans to be done. Look up rules in your state on how soon you must notify the tenant of the added security you plan to add.

Best of luck!