Apartment rents have spiked in my area. This was occurring pre-pandemic but has accelerated post pandemic due to an influx of people coming into the area. This has resulted in more demand for rooms and I fill them very quickly now. In the past, it might have taken a month to find a tenant, now it takes a week. I think people are getting priced out of regular apartments and this is an affordable alternative. I don't take any criminals or folks with drinking or drug issues. These are regular working people who generally are making 25,000+ a year. That's simply not enough income to afford an apartment in this area. A basic one bedroom apartment is running $ 900+ a month plus utilities.

Turnover is low. People are staying in the rooming house at least six months and often longer. I have three people who've been there two years or more. One person who's been there on or off for three years. There are a few people who've left and come back to stay again. I had someone who moved out last week who was a short stay (4 months) but that's atypical.

I still have to shift through a lot of duds before I settle on who I will show. Last ads were on FB and craigsist and everyone gets a prescreening form via messenger or text. I had 118 queries, 28 completed pre-screen google forms and 2 showings. One of the two will get the room. The bulk of the inquires came from FB which seems to be the go to now for advertising. I like using FB for this as it makes the pre-screening process easy to manage.

It takes me around 1-2 hours a week to manage it. Getting good residents and minimizing turnover helps. Rooming houses are exempt from the moratoriums but even still, I'm looking to avoid a contentious lock out situation. Screening well helps that.

I take no criminals and no evictees. I have one couple now but have focused on mainly single people as there's less drama. When I first started, I took women with kids, but no longer do that. Keeping within occupancy limits is the main reason along with minimizing potential liability. I have an area that I carved out that will be a small studio with it's own bath and kitchen. I will rent that for $ 225 a week including utilities. I have a returning guest who wants it after we complete the renovations. I've increased room rates on turnover and I'm going to hit the longer term tenants with a rent increase at the start of the year.

Well that's it. Just giving an update for anyone interested.

Thank you for the update. I am glad that things are working out well for you there considering the mess going on.

You mentioned that moratoriums do not apply to the rooming house, is that because it is short term rental usually?

"You mentioned that moratoriums do not apply to the rooming house, is that because it is short term rental usually?"

Here's the CDC language on defining "residential property" that excludes rooming houses. The previous state moratorium also excluded rooming houses:

>>>>“Residential property” means any property leased for residential purposes, including any house, building, mobile home or land in a mobile home park, or similar dwelling leased for residential purposes, but shall not include any hotel, motel, or other guest house rented to a temporary guest or seasonal tenant as defined under the laws of the State, territorial, tribal, or local jurisdiction.<<<<<

Deanna:

We have to have language in the rental agreement providing a daily rate after 30 days and specify the stay is temporary. Other than that, there is no limit on stays or provisions where someone can become other than a temporary guest here in PA. If that were to change, I would require that people move out at 30 days. I've read where some places do that in other states.

That is excellent news.......I am glad to hear the bright spot.

People have moved out here where I am at too in the NW corner.

That is excellent news.......I am glad to hear the bright spot.

People have moved out here where I am at too in the NW corner.

Ray,

Wilma,