Just say no. You don't have to explain anything to anyone.

Anonymous wrote:You have a no pets policy right? That right there should be a good enough reason.

I would worry that the cousin would try to dump her pets and still get the house, in that case. Don't leave loopholes open; don't put the pets in jeopardy, at the same time. (Also, please consider people with pets - we are so grateful when landlords open their homes, and will by and large pay enormous deposits to cover any extra wear and tear.)

I don't know what you can say here that's going to eliminate drama - seems like the drama is baked into the whole situation. I think you just need to deal with your cousin being pissed and perhaps even some people taking her side. That does not mean you should rent to her.

I think something you are doing or not doing is making this an option as a viable topic for people to belabor. Establish better, clearer boundaries. No can just be no. No reason.

Smile. Nod. Change the topic. As many times as you need to. You had to know that this person was a problem and that renting to another family member would stick out like a red thumb. Knowing that, on a really annoyed day when someone is not letting it drop you could say something like "The fact that this has become such a public, all consuming topic is a symptom of why we were not able to rent to her. Are you upset enough that you are able to make space for her in your home? Because that would be really nice." Then throw some of the lines they are trying to use on you back at them "she really needs the help" "she's changed" "think of the chilrun!"

Anonymous wrote:You have a no pets policy right? That right there should be a good enough reason.

I'd definitely give a list of a few things, with at least pets and excellent credit on it. Because if you just say no pets, the answer will probably be "oh no worries! We'll give the pet to a friend! That's easy!" and of course that may or may not be the case.

You have a no pets policy right? That right there should be a good enough reason.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The simple reply is: "We've got a no pets, no kids lease for the guest house, and cousin has both. SIL and her DH have neither. If we were renting to strangers we'd have the same limitations on the lease. It's business." Then change the topic every single time. "Lease, no pets/kids, how is the chicken salad?"

You can't say (as someone suggested), "We don't mix family and business" because you are renting to family. Just not to this cousin. And while you really don't owe anyone an explanation for doing what you want with your own property, you have a very easy go-to script here.

Umm. Just, FYI, it's illegal to say you will not rent to family with children. It's family status discrimination.

See more here -- http://civilrights.findlaw.com/discrimination/understanding-your-rights-housing-discrimination.html

Not true. It's perfectly legal in this case, because OP is renting out a room in a residence she owns and lives in, without a broker.