Different occupancy limits for children vs adults?

Question

I'm renting out a fully furnished renovated 3BR 1.5 bath townhouse in Philly, advertising on AirBNB and Furnished Finder.

My first renter is a family with 4 kids. I'd stated the occupancy limit on the property is 4 adults and was a bit unprepared when he filled out the application with 6 total people (himself, wife, and 4 kids). But the laws seem OK with 6 as an upper limit for 3BRs so I went ahead with the rental.

I'm OK with having a family with a few kids (6 people is pushing the limit, but a number of families on our block have 3 kids in the same size home and it's fine). But I truly can't have 5-6 adults in the space-- it's only about 1100 sq ft. Adult roommates cohabitating on my block tend to live 2 per building and keep the third bedroom, which is small, as an office or guest room.

I'm wondering how to advertise the space going forward. The space is most appropriate for a couple with 1-3 children, 3 single adults, or even a couple with a grandparent or nanny and a kid or 2.

From what I'm reading, the law protects families with kids from discrimination, but can I get in trouble for doing the reverse and allowing (and potentially advertising) a higher occupancy rate if people have babies and children than if all occupants are adults?

Alan Asriants · Answer

Usually people try to push bedroom counts up thinking that it will increase the rent or value. In some cases it does, but in many - forcing a 3rd bedroom is actually too much. Lots of these smaller philly row homes are actually being converted from a 3 bed 1.5 bath to a 2 bed 2.5 bath and are getting a lot more success on the rental and sale side

Because 1100sqft in a rowhome style is super tight and that 3rd bedroom really loses its use to its size. some of these spaces can barley fit a twin bed a dresser. If one of your bedrooms is like this, you can advertise it as a 2 bedroom space with an office/nursery. that might help deter people with larger parties

Russell Brazil · Answer

General HUD guidelines are for 2 people per bedroom plus 1. So a 3 bedroom apartment 7 people can live there if they are related.

Unrelated people generally will need to adhere to local regulations on unrelated people. In Philadelphia I believe that's capped at 3 unrelated people.

Megan Fitzgerald · Answer

And yes, the smaller bedroom is most appropriate for a nursery. Since we're renting furnished, I have a portable crib and daybed in that space. Great idea to advertise as a nursery going forward.

Erin Spradlin · Answer

@Russell Brazil Excellent answer. This helps prevent any fair housing issues and most cities do have laws around the number of unrelated people allowed to live together... and, typically, this number is shockingly low.

Colleen F. · Answer

@Megan Fitzgerald Another way is to help limit adults is to limit the number of vehicles especially if this is going to create a neighborhood problem if you have 5/6 vehicles.

Megan Fitzgerald · Answer

Thanks so much for this response-- super helpful. Will clarify the occupancy limits in my advertisements going forward.

Different occupancy limits for children vs adults?

Different occupancy limits for children vs adults?

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