Boarding/ Rooming Properties
I just came across some wholesale boarding/rooming houses in Va. The cash flow is outstanding. Virtually cash cows! Are there any zoning issues for such, in the Va. area? What's the scoop with boarding houses? :-?
Don't know about specific requirements of VA but I would first make sure that the current zoning of the property permits this use. In addition, I would investigate what, if any, licenses/permits the municipality requires to operate a boarding house. Finally, I would verify whether the property must be ADA compliant.
Thanks, Nancy I will check with the city for that information.....Jill
In my area rooming houses and boarding houses are zoning designations. So long as the zoning and use match, the property should be in compliance.
Additionally, I would recommend using a rider in the sales contract allowing for verification of zoning. Also, make sure the tax records reflect the same designation. (sometimes the agencies of gov't are out of sink.)
Lastly, (and here again, in my area), Rooming/Boarding house standards are a political issue. Some Governers favor rooming houses as "affordable housing" in rising urban RE markets.
Good Luck.
Thanks guys for the info...Jill
Dear Mike and Jill.
In our area the term Boarding House is also used for Group Residence. They are all legal in R-1, 5 consenting persons and it climbs from that.
they do require a Certificate of Occupancy that spells out the specific use.
There have been a few scattered over the better areas of the Hollywood Hills just North of Sunset Blvd. The rents for these types of operations are rather high.
One of the most successful operations of recent years was a young lady by the name of Heidi Flacid er something. She gave some sort of extended service, I believe her deserts were much admired, especialy the Flan!
Lucius
The greater problem with these things than zoning is that they are a mangement headache. Turnover tends to be high, and, except in the establishment Lucius is referring to, collections may be a problem. You must check whether non-payers must be evicted (as in an apartment building) or can simply be removed by the police (as in a hotel/motel). Again, the establishments that Lucius cites have generally dealt with these problems by efficient, if extra-legal methods.
Mark