Full question:
One or more persons occupying a single dwelling unit, provided that, unless all members are related by blood or marriage, no such family shall contain over two unrelated persons, but further provided that one domestic servant employed on the premises may be housed on the premises without being counted as a separate family. My question is, if I have three unrelated persons living in a single dwelling unit, and one of the three persons is an employed domestic servant living on the premises, does this violate the statement above? Please explain.
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Subcategory: Lease Violation
- Date:
- State: Pennsylvania
Answer:
The statement is somewhat unclear. It suggests that a domestic servant living on the premises is exempt from the limit on unrelated tenants. Therefore, having three unrelated persons, with one being a domestic servant, may not violate the occupancy rules. However, since I cannot provide legal opinions, I recommend seeking written clarification from your landlord. This situation may also depend on how a court interprets the terms, considering all relevant facts. Courts often look at evidence outside the contract to determine intent when terms are vague, following a hierarchy: a) discussions and writings exchanged that don’t contradict the contract; b) past conduct of the parties; c) industry customs; and d) applicable law.This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.