Can a landlord legally limit the number of people on lease (DC)?

[Anonymous]

Yes. Fire code. They have to legally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I own a 2 bedroom rental unit in DC. We are curr looking for tenants and have been contacted by a group of three recent college grads who would like to share the place. I would rather not have three people living there -- or three people on the lease. Can I legally refuse them based on the fact that there are three of them?

It depends on the sq footage. Do you have any other party inquiring? That’s your best legal protection against a discrimination suit.

[Anonymous]

Just don’t reply to their communications. Don’t open yourself up to potential legal liability by rejecting them:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just don’t reply to their communications. Don’t open yourself up to potential legal liability by rejecting them:

Yeah agreed. Why make this more complicated than it needs to be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Living in a one bedroom with my wife and child. We just had another child and we're looking for a two bedroom, but haven't found one we like and can afford. Our landlord is not happy with us. Can a landlord evict us for being in a 1-br with the 4 of us (including a newborn)? They state that there is a max 3 people per 1-br and said that we are out of compliance.

I will try to say this gently, but was it very wise to have a second child when you cannot afford a 2-bedroom place for your family to live?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Living in a one bedroom with my wife and child. We just had another child and we're looking for a two bedroom, but haven't found one we like and can afford. Our landlord is not happy with us. Can a landlord evict us for being in a 1-br with the 4 of us (including a newborn)? They state that there is a max 3 people per 1-br and said that we are out of compliance.

I will try to say this gently, but was it very wise to have a second child when you cannot afford a 2-bedroom place for your family to live?

I will try to say this gently, shut up and mind your own fcking business.

[Anonymous]

Hi. Is there a specific law in DC that limits the number of occupants? For example, are 7 tenants allowed in a proper 7 bedroom house? Please specify law or regulation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Fire code. They have to legally.

Unless the bedrooms are tiny (like less than 100 sqf) three people in a 2 bedroom is not going to be against any codes.

[Anonymous]

Landlords have to follow the fire code in terms of the number of tenants permitted per square foot.

[Anonymous]

Just wait for more applications, OP. Is this the first application you have received?

[Anonymous]

Yes, you can. Limit it to max 2 people in a room if they are SP otherwise NO. Raise the rent if there are high number of people since wear and tear is going to be crazy high as well.