Turning a duplex into single rental rooms

[Garrett Brown]

Does anyone have experience of renting out individual rooms on a long term basis out of a duplex/triplex? Basically, I've come across a property that is a duplex with 4 bedrooms/2 baths/kitchen in each. The current owner rents out each room for a year long basis but with option to leave with at least 60 days notice. It is a very big oil area near Houston and people come to work and leave a lot. They all are currently rented and the rents he collects are great compared to expenses. Everything makes sense from my looking but this will be my first investment property for myself so I wanted any info on doing this type of approach. I have helped on investment deals but never my own so I always have a sense of reserve. I'm stuck between this deal, a house with garage apt to airbnb, or a duplex/triplex. 

[Cody L.]

Originally posted by @Garrett Brown:

Does anyone have experience of renting out individual rooms on a long term basis out of a duplex/triplex? Basically, I've come across a property that is a duplex with 4 bedrooms/2 baths/kitchen in each. The current owner rents out each room for a year long basis but with option to leave with at least 60 days notice. It is a very big oil area near Houston and people come to work and leave a lot. They all are currently rented and the rents he collects are great compared to expenses. Everything makes sense from my looking but this will be my first investment property for myself so I wanted any info on doing this type of approach. I have helped on investment deals but never my own so I always have a sense of reserve. I'm stuck between this deal, a house with garage apt to airbnb, or a duplex/triplex. 

Personally, if I had a duplex I'd want to rent to two people, on two leases.  Now if each of those duplex units were 4 beds / 2 baths, then those renters could then rent out rooms to help with their lease if they want to.   But I wouldn't want to be in the business of trying to rent out bedrooms in a single dwelling.  You'd be more referee for roommate fights than landlord.