Using our address for friends child to go to the public school we are in bounds for

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a question about residency and school as well, though for me, not a friend. DC is not zoned for our close-by middle school, but for one much farther away. The close-by school is not only a much easier commute for us, it is also has a better reputation, so sought after an no lottery movement. I have found a reasonably-priced, but v. small apartment that is inbounds for this school and is just a few blocks from our place. I am thinking about renting it, paying the utilities, changing the address for my driver's license and thus getting DC to the closer, easier for us, and better school. We won't live there full-time, but I can walk over and get the mail, etc every day. I am surprised - and a bit ashamed - that I would go to these lengths, but am considering it. What would happen to if the school found out? What about when DC's classmates or parents come to visit our bigger, current place? What are our liabilities? Thanks in advance to DCUMers who reply without attacking.

I have thought about this too (I don't even have a child!)
If you bought a studio in Upper NW in a good school district, my guess is that you could probably rent it out to cover the mortgage and sell it for a tidy profit in 18 years after the kids are done with school. Maybe keep the apartment empty for the first few years while your kids get ingrained in the school program.

Your name would be on the property records, tax records, utilities, etc. If any parents ask, just tell them that you won the OOB lottery. There's no way for other parents to verify that information.

You'd easily get away with this, OP.

I don't think he'd be getting away with anything. He'd be paying boatloads in income and property taxes to the District, and already lives in the neighborhood. He'd just need to be a cool customer pull it off, keeping mum and keeping his chin up, sure that he's doing the right thing for his family. DC simply doesn't benefit when well-educated parents hit the road for the burbs - I like to see this sort of plucky parent stay. So launch into me folks - I'm a DCPS parent who likes his inventiveness. The MD address cheaters I don't like.

[Anonymous]

We own two DC houses and were investigated for residency fraud by our in-boundary school at one point. All that happened was DCPS asked for several documents we hadn't provided when we enrolled (car registration, tax withholding etc.). Also, our school's registrar asked if we rented out the property we put down on enrollment forms (we said no, the truth). That was it, no home visit or follow-up.

No shades of gray in the case OP has outlined...that would be out and out fraud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anything fake is not legal. Sure, you can do things that are not legal.

What if you sign a rental agreement for a room and pay your friend some minimal amount, like $100/ month. And cover for a utility bill.

It's legal, isn't it?

No, because it's about where the friend actually lives, not where she pays rent.

[Anonymous]

If you did this (had a cheap condo in Upper NW and your main house in another part of the District), it would probably be best to have that main house titled in the name of an LLC or a trust. That way, if someone runs a name search on the DC property registry (a publicly available online database), your name would only be attached to the apartment in Upper NW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anything fake is not legal. Sure, you can do things that are not legal.

What if you sign a rental agreement for a room and pay your friend some minimal amount, like $100/ month. And cover for a utility bill.

It's legal, isn't it?

If the child lives there, it's legal. Otherwise, no. It's about your RESIDENCE, not where you rent some space.

People can have multiple residences. Maybe he stays there all day and spends the night at the other place. Which one is the residence?

[Anonymous]

IMHO if you rent a place somewhere and you pay taxes, who cares if you actually live there or not? You are paying taxes, paying for that school, you have just as many rights as the guy in the apartment next door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anything fake is not legal. Sure, you can do things that are not legal.

What if you sign a rental agreement for a room and pay your friend some minimal amount, like $100/ month. And cover for a utility bill.

It's legal, isn't it?

If the child lives there, it's legal. Otherwise, no. It's about your RESIDENCE, not where you rent some space.

People can have multiple residences. Maybe he stays there all day and spends the night at the other place. Which one is the residence?

Same goes for divorced families - where does the kid truly "live"?

[Anonymous]

^ Agree 100%. Real property is real property. It's nobody's business where you and your children sleep every night, but you need to cover all your tax and document bases for DCPS or DCPC, and can't be issuing leases for a property you're claiming as a residence.

It's those who don't pay the taxes who deserve to get caught and punished.

[Anonymous]

As long as you can provide residency documentation there should not be a problem.
People can own multiple properties and rent properties - as long as required documentation is legit - DC cannot tell you how many hours you need to spend at the "residence" or even that you need to sleep there. A rental property provides for property taxes that funds the neighborhood school - you could be part owner of a house for all people know - other parents are not entitled to your personal finances or sleeping preferences.