What do I do if I get a request for multi-occupancy?

PadSplit is committed to upholding all applicable housing laws established by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding familial status. You can read more about our anti discrimination policy HERE.  While we understand that each PadSplit home is unique and that the final decision to accept a double occupancy rests with the host, we want to emphasize the importance of fostering a respectful and harmonious environment for all members. We also expect all hosts to fully comply with fair housing regulations and to approach every booking request with integrity, inclusivity, and legal responsibility.

How will I know I received a request for a multi-occupancy? 

• During booking, Members will be asked to indicate single or multi-occupancy: 

• Hosts will see this in the booking request (see "room occupants" section) based on what Members select:

What should I do if I get a request for multi-occupancy? If the “room occupants” section of the booking request says “2 or more occupants”, we suggest you: 

1. Reach out to the member and ask: Are any of the additional occupants over 18 years old?

• If so, are they an approved PadSplit Member? All occupants >18 years old must be an approved PadSplit member. If the second occupant is not a PadSplit member, please instruct them to complete the membership application before proceeding with the booking. If they are an approved member, the best practice is to request the name and UID (PadSplit user ID) number and reach out support@padsplit.com. Our team can then provide additional info on the second occupant to help you make the decision to accept or deny the booking.
• If not, and they are <18 years of age, they do not need to be registered with PadSplit. However, the best practice is to collect the name and age of the minor and provide it to support@padsplit.com.

2. Confirm pricing: Before you accept the booking, please discuss the multiple-occupancy rate with the member. Come to an agreement and update the dues rate prior to the move-in date. 

• See more information on adjusting the room rate for multiple occupants HERE.
• Hosts can increase the room rate by up to $100 to account for utilities. Get instructions on changing the room rate HERE.
• Please contact Support to increase the rate if the member has already moved in.

Multiple-Occupancy FAQs 

1. How will the second occupant show up on the property page where they will be living?
   • The second occupant will not have a membership agreement and will not automatically be visible on the property page. In order for the second occupant to be visible on the property page, please create a fake room for the new member (see step 3 under Best Practices section below).
2. I need to evict the second occupant. How do I do this?
   • Please contact your local police or a local attorney for guidance on how to legally evict the second occupant.
3. Can I accept a multi-occupancy booking if I haven't designated the room for multiple occupants?
   • You can accept a multiple-occupancy booking, even if the room is not designated as such.
4. Why am I getting requests for multi-occupancy bookings when none of my rooms are designated for multiple occupants?
   • Members can request multiple-occupancy for a room designated as single-occupancy.

Multiple-Occupancy Best Practices

1. Please consider the capacity of the property’s facilities when considering a multiple-occupancy: parking, refrigerator space, bathroom count, water pressure, septic system, room size, bed size etc.
2. If your home is suitable for minors, add this to your house rules: “Minors are the responsibility of the member and should not be left unattended.”
3. If you choose to create a “fake room” for visibility into the second occupant, follow these steps:
   1. Click on the property from the host dashboard.
   2. Click on EDIT LISTING DETAILS in the upper right hand corner.
   3. Scroll down to AVAILABLE ROOMS  -> EDIT -> EDIT ROOMS.
   4. Complete all the information to ADD A BEDROOM.
   5. Set the dues to $0 and have the additional occupant book that room.
   6. When this member vacates, you must deactivate the “fake room” to ensure that it does not get booked by another member.
4. Please notify the household through the messenger when you accept a multiple-occupancy.  Provide them with the room number and the name of the second occupant.
5. If the second occupant is over 18 years old and is not an approved PadSplit member, discuss with the member about pushing back the move-in date for a couple of days so that the additional occupant has time to complete the application process.
6. When reviewing members, please note that your decision impacting members may be governed by federal and state fair housing laws. It is your responsibility to comply with all applicable laws while operating your property.  If you have questions about your obligations under Fair Housing please consult an attorney. Although not a substitute for legal counsel, you may be able to find some helpful details here: https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/fair-housing-act-overview.

Currently the following features aren’t available yet: 

1. Booking requests with both occupants linked in the request
2. Ability to “place” both occupants in a single room. When you view a room in your dashboard, you’ll still only see the primary occupant listed.
3. Membership agreement for the second occupant