House hacking a single family home in Norfolk

[Michael Llewellyn]

Hello everyone and Happy New Year's! I recently purchased my first property in Norfolk, a 4/2.5 near the Naval Station and wanted to rent out the extra rooms to help cover the mortgage.  I was looking on the city of Norfolk Website under residential information and landlord education, and found that I can have up to four unrelated people together on ONE LEASE, but it is illegal to LIST OR RENT OUT INDIVIDUAL ROOMS. This puts a damper on my plans. Does anyone have any experience with this, or ideas on how I could have two or even three individuals unknown to each other, occupying separate rooms all one one lease but only responsible for their own individual rents? I'm still doing some reading, but looking for any advice or creative ideas on how I can fill these unused rooms. Thanks in advance, looking forward to what y'all have to share. 

[Patti Robertson]

It's actually a state law. With 4 bedroom it seems you would be within the guidelines legally though, since you would be "no more than four," Do you plan to live there? "House hack" indicates you would, in which case the people would be considered roommates whick would be totally legal. If you don't plan to live there the strategy would be "boarding house". Think very hard before using that strategy, even if legal, Unlesss you specifically focus on college students, you will end up with people who are moving out of hotels - essenally homeless. Your wear and tear will be significant and your turnover high. You will get calls about stolen food, personal grips, etc. I know people make good cashflow renting rooms, but IMO, It is a miserable way to make money. Norfolk rents for SEC 8 would be $1700+. I'd much rather deal with one family and the security of HUD payments. Just my two cents.

I found this interesting article that says since 2013, not only is it illegal for a landlord to run a rooming house, it’s also illegal for a tenant to rent a room from an unlicensed establishment.t
https://patch.com/virginia/ann...