4br Rental with large family tenants

[Johnson Liv]

I have a 4bdrm SFR rental thats an hour from my residence so I gave my contact info to the local neighbors if anything arises. I just got a text from that neighbor noting that some additional people have moved in and there's now 9 cars going to the rental. I can go and visit, but I'm sure they'll have everyone out unless I show up unannounced.

The tenant is an older couple with 3 adult children for more than a few years now. I helped as a reference for the oldest when they moved into their own apartment. So I can only imagine they all moved back in, perhaps with significant others. 

Never had any inquiries from the neighbor prior. And this text comes in exactly 10 days after I raised the rent which hasn't been increased since the tenant moved in.

Your thoughts and opinions appreciated if this amount of tenants sounds right? Original was 5, but with 9 cars, I'm assuming it's now about doubled somehow.

[Nancy DeSocio]

Hi @Johnson Liv, 

The long-term solution would be to have language in your lease that protect you from a) prohibiting people who are not on the lease from living there, or b) limiting how many people per bedroom are allowed.  That said, a 4BR house will introduce larger families (often more than 5 people), but only a local attorney would know what legal options you have in limiting the number of occupants.

Assuming you don't have either of those, I would start with a conversation with the couple who are your actual tenants to hear what they have to say about it.  Your local landlord-tenant laws (or an attorney) should guide you with what your options are from there, but initiating the discussion with the couple will let them know you're paying attention to that situation.

Good luck!