Leasing License Practice Exam

According to the Keating Memo, what occupancy standard is generally considered reasonable?

1. One person per room

2. Two persons per bedroom

3. Three persons per unit

4. Four persons per living room

The correct answer is: Two persons per bedroom

The Keating Memo, issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), addresses the issue of occupancy standards in rental housing. The memo indicates that a common and generally accepted standard is two persons per bedroom. This guideline is based on considerations of health, safety, and living space, allowing landlords to implement a reasonable limit on how many people can occupy a dwelling without overcrowding. This standard is also rooted in the need to balance the rights of tenants to access housing with the rights of landlords to manage their properties effectively. By establishing two persons per bedroom as a reasonable occupancy standard, the memo provides a benchmark that helps mitigate disputes regarding overcrowding while also ensuring that renters have adequate living space. In this context, the other options do not reflect an accepted occupancy standard; for example, one person per room may not provide enough flexibility for families or groups living together. Similarly, three persons per unit or four persons per living room could create situations of overcrowding that are contrary to health and safety recommendations.