If you are renting to a lot of roommates you could be breaking the law in Greenville, but city council members are considering allowing exceptions.
The law in Greenville says no more than 3 unrelated people can live together. Mayor Allen Thomas, along with several landlords and a few people who live near East Carolina University say they support allowing landlords with large homes to apply for special use permits to rent to more than three people. They say doing so would mean more homes could be rented instead of standing empty, and say landlords would make the money they need to maintain the homes.
Some residents and city council members are against the idea, saying it could lead to more noise and people parking on lawns because of lack of space. Councilwoman Marion Blackburn says it could also make renting a home more valuable then selling it and reduce the likelihood of adding more homeowners in the city.
"When I can put 6 people in a house, all of the sudden, I can charge those 6 people that same price point, but I'm getting twice the money. Which is going to mean that house, before I sell it, is going to be worth a lot more in monthly rent than it's going to be in terms of selling to a home," said Blackburn.
Blackburn says the council will likely take a closer look at the issue within the next six months.
