Craigslist Boarding Houses, Unfair competitive advantage overlooked? Please advise

[Mark Updegraff]

Hello All,
In my experience as a listing agent for rental apartments in a couple geographic areas, non owner-occupied landlords list out rooms to students and workers creating a shared living arrangement between several unrelated parties in a residence designated by zoning to be a single family home. I feel like it is an unfair competitive advantage against landlords that comply with zoning law. It seems very prevalent right now, and I'm just wondering if there is anything I can do eliminate the disadvantage. It was discussed in my local neighborhood meeting (where city reps were present), and they were going to "look into it" Who in the city would be good to engage in such an issue? Should I be doing the legwork and figuring out who the people are or is that the city's job?

Thanks!
Mark

[Jon Holdman]

Planning and zoning commission. When I looked at buying something in a college town, I quickly discovered there was an area right around the campus that was designated as high density. Beyond that, the zoining was for single families. Specifically, no more than two unrelated persons. At one point I spoke with a planner about a specific property and asked about people who were renting by the room in the single family area. Yes, they were very interested and would take action. And they said, yes, landlords who were compliant did call and turn in non-compliant properties.