Yes, allow this site to track statistics about my visit today to help IDD Housing Help developers decide what features will make this site better for users. (These tracking cookies do not collect any personal information about you.) View our Privacy Policy.
It’s really important to understand the rules about guests in your lease. If you don’t follow these rules, it could lead to you being asked to leave your apartment, so make sure you know what your landlord expects when it comes to having guests over.
There are four main types of guests, and it’s important to know the difference. The last two types (long-term guests and unauthorized guests) can get you in trouble if you’re not careful.
These are friends or people you don’t see often who come over for a short visit. They usually don’t stay long and don’t break any of the guest rules in your lease. These guests are only at your apartment when you’re home.
These guests include family members, caregivers, or other helpers who need to visit you often. Sometimes, they might visit more than the rules allow. These guests also only stay for short periods and are there when you’re home.
If you need these guests to visit regularly, ask your landlord for special permission. This is called a “Frequent Guest Accommodation.” It will let your guests visit more often without breaking the rules.
These are people who need to stay with you for a longer time, like family who came to visit from far away or someone who needs to care for you after surgery. If you have a longer-term guest, you MUST tell your landlord and ask for permission.
Most of the time, your landlord will set a time limit for how long the guest can stay.
Your landlord also has the right to do a background check on longer-term guests. If they don’t approve your request, you cannot have the guest stay.
Also, never make a copy of your apartment key for a longer-term guest unless your landlord gives you permission.
These guests are not allowed at all. Unauthorized guests can get you into trouble.
Here are signs that a guest is unauthorized:
Make sure to find the rules about guests in your lease agreement, read through them, and make sure you understand them. If something doesn’t make sense, ask your landlord to help you understand. Knowing what is and isn’t allowed will help you follow the rules so you don’t have problems with your landlord about guests.