Legal & Compliance

How to Rent Out Your Condo to College Students (HOA Rules and Limits)

You can rent your condo to college students if your HOA's CC&Rs allow leasing, but three restrictions commonly block it: a rental cap, a six- or twelve-month minimum lease term, and an occupancy limit on unrelated roommates. Get the CC&Rs and waitlist status in writing before you list.

Can I Rent Out a Spare Room or Basement to a College Student?

You can rent a spare room or basement to a college student in most U.S. cities, but the room has to legally qualify as a bedroom first. Under the International Residential Code that means an emergency escape opening of at least 5.7 square feet with a sill no higher than 44 inches, a ceiling of at least 7 feet, and a smoke alarm in the room. Owner-occupied rentals often escape licensing entirely — but zoning caps on unrelated occupants still apply.

Stuck in a Student Lease You Can't Afford? 7 Legal Ways Out