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Renting a house to a graduate student in my department

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8

I am a professor at a US university, and I'll be away on a sabbatical for all of the coming academic year. I would like to sublet my house while I am away, and I think that one or two of the graduate students in my department might be interested. I'd prefer to do that instead of renting to a complete stranger. However, since I would effectively be their landlord and they would be paying me rent, I am wondering if this raises ethical or conflict-of-interest concerns, since those students may be in my courses in the future.

(I have checked my university's regulations and they do not address this situation. I would certainly check with my superiors before going ahead; this question is just to find out whether this seems okay in terms of general professional ethics, or presents the appearance of a conflict.)

Some possibly relevant notes:

• My department's graduate program is not in my research area, so there would not be any chance of me becoming the dissertation advisor of any of these students. However, I could serve on their dissertation committee.




• The sublet would end before I would be teaching classes again, so I wouldn't simultaneously be a student's landlord and their instructor. It is conceivable, though, if they fell behind on the rent, that they might still owe me money at that time.

ethics conflict-of-interest

share|improve this question

asked 4 hours ago

Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge

109k36316413

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  At least one of the older folks on this site has said it was quite common for them (I don't remember who).
  
  – Azor Ahai
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I'd be a bit wary of the worst-case scenarios, and it might be worth reading and considering some of the nightmare situations people have gotten into by renting to (even distant) family, for example.
  
  – Bryan Krause
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  So just rent to students who are past coursework and already have a committee.
  
  – Elizabeth Henning
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  the scary thing about this kinda limited rental is making sure the occupant will be ready and willing to move out by the time (or before) you are coming back from your sabbatical. you need to rent to someone that you can trust will care for your property, not destroy nor steal, and will not force you to sue to evict. renting to someone you know, at least a little, is better than renting to a stranger, all other things equal.
  
  – robert bristow-johnson
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

8

I am a professor at a US university, and I'll be away on a sabbatical for all of the coming academic year. I would like to sublet my house while I am away, and I think that one or two of the graduate students in my department might be interested. I'd prefer to do that instead of renting to a complete stranger. However, since I would effectively be their landlord and they would be paying me rent, I am wondering if this raises ethical or conflict-of-interest concerns, since those students may be in my courses in the future.

(I have checked my university's regulations and they do not address this situation. I would certainly check with my superiors before going ahead; this question is just to find out whether this seems okay in terms of general professional ethics, or presents the appearance of a conflict.)

Some possibly relevant notes:

• My department's graduate program is not in my research area, so there would not be any chance of me becoming the dissertation advisor of any of these students. However, I could serve on their dissertation committee.




• The sublet would end before I would be teaching classes again, so I wouldn't simultaneously be a student's landlord and their instructor. It is conceivable, though, if they fell behind on the rent, that they might still owe me money at that time.

ethics conflict-of-interest

share|improve this question

asked 4 hours ago

Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge

109k36316413

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  At least one of the older folks on this site has said it was quite common for them (I don't remember who).
  
  – Azor Ahai
  4 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I'd be a bit wary of the worst-case scenarios, and it might be worth reading and considering some of the nightmare situations people have gotten into by renting to (even distant) family, for example.
  
  – Bryan Krause
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  So just rent to students who are past coursework and already have a committee.
  
  – Elizabeth Henning
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  the scary thing about this kinda limited rental is making sure the occupant will be ready and willing to move out by the time (or before) you are coming back from your sabbatical. you need to rent to someone that you can trust will care for your property, not destroy nor steal, and will not force you to sue to evict. renting to someone you know, at least a little, is better than renting to a stranger, all other things equal.
  
  – robert bristow-johnson
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

I am a professor at a US university, and I'll be away on a sabbatical for all of the coming academic year. I would like to sublet my house while I am away, and I think that one or two of the graduate students in my department might be interested. I'd prefer to do that instead of renting to a complete stranger. However, since I would effectively be their landlord and they would be paying me rent, I am wondering if this raises ethical or conflict-of-interest concerns, since those students may be in my courses in the future.

(I have checked my university's regulations and they do not address this situation. I would certainly check with my superiors before going ahead; this question is just to find out whether this seems okay in terms of general professional ethics, or presents the appearance of a conflict.)

Some possibly relevant notes:

• My department's graduate program is not in my research area, so there would not be any chance of me becoming the dissertation advisor of any of these students. However, I could serve on their dissertation committee.




• The sublet would end before I would be teaching classes again, so I wouldn't simultaneously be a student's landlord and their instructor. It is conceivable, though, if they fell behind on the rent, that they might still owe me money at that time.

ethics conflict-of-interest

share|improve this question

asked 4 hours ago

Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge

109k36316413

share|improve this question

asked 4 hours ago

Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge

109k36316413

share|improve this question

asked 4 hours ago

Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge

109k36316413

asked 4 hours ago

Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge

109k36316413

asked 4 hours ago

Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge

109k36316413

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

4

At the time they sign the lease there is no conflict of interest. Further, there is no conflict of interest anticipated throughout the duration of the lease. There is of course the possibility that an unforeseen conflict arises, but this is always a possibility. You are putting yourself at an elevated risk of a conflict of interest, so it is probably worth mentioning it to you department chair. If an unforeseen conflict does arise, just let your department chair know and do what ever is needed at that point.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

StrongBad♦StrongBad

87.6k24217428

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  this is the best advice, in my opinion.
  
  – robert bristow-johnson
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

3

The rule of thumb for conflicts of interest is: "If you think there might be a conflict of interest, or wonder whether there might be, then there is." That's because the perception of a conflict of interest is just as bad as the conflict of interest itself.

So yes, whether you feel conflicted or not, other people might believe that you could be, and that's just as bad. A better choice would likely be to rent your house to grad students in other departments.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth

36.6k471128

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  "A better choice would likely be to rent your house to grad students in other departments." .... That may be from your POV of avoiding every perception of COI. But he might not know the other grad students as well as he knows the grad student in his own department. Renting his furnished home for just a year is a very vulnerable thing to do. You need to be able to trust your renters a great deal.
  
  – robert bristow-johnson
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

0

If there is no supervisory relationship and you won't be teaching them while you are gone, I see no issues with this other than the possibility for misunderstandings over money.

One way to avoid some of the problems is to work through an agent as long as that doesn't restrict you to offering it to the public first. It also helps if the student has to leave mid term and you need to find another tenant quickly.

Another issue you should be sure to deal with is a damage deposit. Again, working through an agent would help avoid conflicts. A rental contract is a good idea as it can lay out expectations explicitly.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

BuffyBuffy

61.6k17192289

add a comment | 

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4

At the time they sign the lease there is no conflict of interest. Further, there is no conflict of interest anticipated throughout the duration of the lease. There is of course the possibility that an unforeseen conflict arises, but this is always a possibility. You are putting yourself at an elevated risk of a conflict of interest, so it is probably worth mentioning it to you department chair. If an unforeseen conflict does arise, just let your department chair know and do what ever is needed at that point.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

StrongBad♦StrongBad

87.6k24217428

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  this is the best advice, in my opinion.
  
  – robert bristow-johnson
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

4

At the time they sign the lease there is no conflict of interest. Further, there is no conflict of interest anticipated throughout the duration of the lease. There is of course the possibility that an unforeseen conflict arises, but this is always a possibility. You are putting yourself at an elevated risk of a conflict of interest, so it is probably worth mentioning it to you department chair. If an unforeseen conflict does arise, just let your department chair know and do what ever is needed at that point.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

StrongBad♦StrongBad

87.6k24217428

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  this is the best advice, in my opinion.
  
  – robert bristow-johnson
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

At the time they sign the lease there is no conflict of interest. Further, there is no conflict of interest anticipated throughout the duration of the lease. There is of course the possibility that an unforeseen conflict arises, but this is always a possibility. You are putting yourself at an elevated risk of a conflict of interest, so it is probably worth mentioning it to you department chair. If an unforeseen conflict does arise, just let your department chair know and do what ever is needed at that point.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

StrongBad♦StrongBad

87.6k24217428

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

StrongBad♦StrongBad

87.6k24217428

answered 3 hours ago

StrongBad♦StrongBad

87.6k24217428

answered 3 hours ago

StrongBad♦StrongBad

87.6k24217428

3

The rule of thumb for conflicts of interest is: "If you think there might be a conflict of interest, or wonder whether there might be, then there is." That's because the perception of a conflict of interest is just as bad as the conflict of interest itself.

So yes, whether you feel conflicted or not, other people might believe that you could be, and that's just as bad. A better choice would likely be to rent your house to grad students in other departments.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth

36.6k471128

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  "A better choice would likely be to rent your house to grad students in other departments." .... That may be from your POV of avoiding every perception of COI. But he might not know the other grad students as well as he knows the grad student in his own department. Renting his furnished home for just a year is a very vulnerable thing to do. You need to be able to trust your renters a great deal.
  
  – robert bristow-johnson
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

3

The rule of thumb for conflicts of interest is: "If you think there might be a conflict of interest, or wonder whether there might be, then there is." That's because the perception of a conflict of interest is just as bad as the conflict of interest itself.

So yes, whether you feel conflicted or not, other people might believe that you could be, and that's just as bad. A better choice would likely be to rent your house to grad students in other departments.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth

36.6k471128

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  "A better choice would likely be to rent your house to grad students in other departments." .... That may be from your POV of avoiding every perception of COI. But he might not know the other grad students as well as he knows the grad student in his own department. Renting his furnished home for just a year is a very vulnerable thing to do. You need to be able to trust your renters a great deal.
  
  – robert bristow-johnson
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

The rule of thumb for conflicts of interest is: "If you think there might be a conflict of interest, or wonder whether there might be, then there is." That's because the perception of a conflict of interest is just as bad as the conflict of interest itself.

So yes, whether you feel conflicted or not, other people might believe that you could be, and that's just as bad. A better choice would likely be to rent your house to grad students in other departments.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth

36.6k471128

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth

36.6k471128

answered 3 hours ago

Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth

36.6k471128

answered 3 hours ago

Wolfgang BangerthWolfgang Bangerth

36.6k471128

0

If there is no supervisory relationship and you won't be teaching them while you are gone, I see no issues with this other than the possibility for misunderstandings over money.

One way to avoid some of the problems is to work through an agent as long as that doesn't restrict you to offering it to the public first. It also helps if the student has to leave mid term and you need to find another tenant quickly.

Another issue you should be sure to deal with is a damage deposit. Again, working through an agent would help avoid conflicts. A rental contract is a good idea as it can lay out expectations explicitly.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

BuffyBuffy

61.6k17192289

add a comment | 

0

If there is no supervisory relationship and you won't be teaching them while you are gone, I see no issues with this other than the possibility for misunderstandings over money.

One way to avoid some of the problems is to work through an agent as long as that doesn't restrict you to offering it to the public first. It also helps if the student has to leave mid term and you need to find another tenant quickly.

Another issue you should be sure to deal with is a damage deposit. Again, working through an agent would help avoid conflicts. A rental contract is a good idea as it can lay out expectations explicitly.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

BuffyBuffy

61.6k17192289

add a comment | 

If there is no supervisory relationship and you won't be teaching them while you are gone, I see no issues with this other than the possibility for misunderstandings over money.

One way to avoid some of the problems is to work through an agent as long as that doesn't restrict you to offering it to the public first. It also helps if the student has to leave mid term and you need to find another tenant quickly.

Another issue you should be sure to deal with is a damage deposit. Again, working through an agent would help avoid conflicts. A rental contract is a good idea as it can lay out expectations explicitly.

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

BuffyBuffy

61.6k17192289

share|improve this answer

answered 3 hours ago

BuffyBuffy

61.6k17192289

answered 3 hours ago

BuffyBuffy

61.6k17192289

answered 3 hours ago

BuffyBuffy

61.6k17192289