Renting as shared space rather than a duplex - Zoning

[Robert Gagnon]

I am placing an offer to purchase a SFR in Washington. It is zoned SFR but the previous owner has created a nicely done, including a nice kitchen, mother in law suite with it's own access.

The suite has a stairway with lockable door separating it from the rest if the house, allowing two parties to live separately.

I would like to rent out both spaces separately, but was informed by a good investment realtor I use that renting the property as a duplex could be troublesome since it isn't zoned that way. We do have some troublesome renters around who know renters law pretty well.

It sounds like the property should be rented out as a "shared space," and charge one fee for rent. Then the renters would have to divide rent amongst themselves.

Does anyone have experience working with this type of situation that could shed more light and provide information that has helped them?

This will be a house hack to start out, and later will be rented completely later.

I appreciate any help!

[Theresa Harris]

Give the city a call, but many places I know allow basement suites or secondary suites in a single family home.  Some have restrictions on the size (ie must be less than 80% of the main space).