Labeling yourself as "PM" instead of "LandLord/Owner" to tenants

[Account Closed]

I'm gong to be renting out my very first unit soon (house hacking a duplex) and I am already thinking about how I will manage the tenant. I have heard from experienced landlords that it is often better to NOT let the tenant know that we are "owner/landlord", but rather that we are "just the PM" or even that we "just work for the PM".

That way, it is easier to manage the tenants when they make unreasonable requests, we can just say "Sorry I can't authorize that, I just work for the PM" and we are not seen as the "bad guy" in the scenario, the unseen owner takes the blame.

I wonder if this technique makes sense in a house hacking situation? I suppose I could identify as a "resident manager"...

Has anyone ever tried this technique while house hacking? Is it even a good idea to keep the tenant in the dark like this, or could it end up making things more complicated, maintaining a web of lies, etc...

[Allie Dickson]

If your tenant/roommate gets saavy they could just look on the county records and see that you own the property. That might make them feel that you are dishonest and then you still have to live with them.