Homeowners Association Accuses Potomac Family of Having a Boarding House

A local homeowner is facing opposition for renting bedrooms in their house in the Falls Farm subdivision of Potomac to sub-leasers, according to a NBC Washington story.

The Falls Farm Homeowners Association said Jean Huynh, who owns one of the single-family homes in the subdivision with her sister, is violating the association’s rules by renting rooms in their home and operating a boarding house, according to the story.

In November, the homeowners association got a court order because the Huynhs rented out a downstairs apartment and an upstairs bedroom in their house. The association cited that a boarding house where people move in and stay for a short period of time is not permitted in the subdivision. Renting bedrooms is acceptable, but the high turnover rate of tenants is a violation, Joseph McBride, the association’s lawyer, said in the story.

The association said that the Huynh’s residence had tenants of African, Indian and Asian descent who lived there for short periods of time.

The Huynhs said the tenants were not transient and occupied the house for years — not months. Also, the Huynhs said they feel as if they are victims of discrimination.

Since the court order in November, the Huynhs have evicted the tenants — a move that is setting the sisters back about $1,600 a month in rent, according to the story. The homeowners association is holding the family responsible for about $30,000 in legal fees, too.

The Huynhs plan to appeal.