Three or more siblings buy a house and either one, two or all three are on the deed as co-owners and want to have an unrelated roommate?
Yes, this scenario would require a rental license but would likely not be allowed for a property that is not currently licensed. In this scenario all four residents are not related to each other within the definition of "family" under the zoning code. As such, they are considered "four unrelated individuals".


Single and two family residential zoning districts (R A, R 1, R 2 and R 3) do not allow more than three unrelated persons from residing together unless the house that is purchased has a prior lawful preexisting non conforming use for this many people or was owned on the effective date of Ordinance No. 900. ( Before 1997.) Therefore a license would be required under this scenario, but no new license would be available in most cases. Generally only houses with existing licenses for four or more individuals would accommodate this scenario.

Show All Answers

1. If I buy a house, can my child or children live in it without me?
2. If I buy a house, can my child and a roommate live in it without me?
3. My child buys the house with me and is on the deed as a co owner. I will not be living there and my child wants one roommate?
4. My child buys the house with me and is on the deed as a co owner. I will not be living there and my child wants two roommates?
5. Two siblings buy a house and one or both are on the deed as co owners and want a roommate?
6. Three or more siblings buy a house and either one, two or all three are on the deed as co-owners and want to have an unrelated roommate?
7. Three people are all owners of the property and all three live there?
8. Four unrelated people (meaning at least one who is not related to all others) are all owners of the property and all four live at the house with ownership equity of 25 percent or more?
9. My sibling and I buy a house and we each want our children to live there together?
10. What are some other tips for looking at property in East Lansing?