Short-term rentals often have separate rules from long-term leases. In Kansas City, Kansas, the Unified Government treats Airbnb and VRBO-style rentals as commercial uses that need a special use permit.

• Start with a pre-application meeting with Planning & Urban Design staff.
• The application needs a home inspection report, photos, proof of ownership and a title report.
• A neighborhood meeting, Planning Commission hearing and Board of Commissioners approval are required.
• After approval, owners need a business license and insurance.

Sources: Unified Government: Short-Term Rentals

Related city guides: Kansas City, KS

Missouri and Kansas have different landlord-tenant laws, so a property on each side of State Line follows different rules. This is general information only. Talk to an attorney about your situation.

• Missouri: Landlord-tenant issues are covered mainly in Chapters 441, 534 and 535 of the Missouri statutes, according to the Missouri Attorney General.
• Missouri: A security deposit can't be more than two months' rent. The landlord has 30 days after the lease ends to return it or give an itemized list of damages (RSMo 535.300).
• Missouri: A tenant can recover up to twice the amount of a deposit wrongfully withheld.
• Kansas: The Residential Landlord and Tenant Act starts at K.S.A. 58-2540.
• Kansas: The deposit limit is one month's rent for an unfurnished unit, 1.5 months if furnished, plus up to half a month's rent for pets (K.S.A. 58-2550).
• Kansas: A tenant can recover the amount due plus 1.5 times the amount wrongfully withheld.

Sources: Missouri Attorney General: Landlord-Tenant Law guide · Missouri Revisor of Statutes: RSMo 535.300 · Kansas Legislature: Residential Landlord and Tenant Act · Kansas Legislature: K.S.A. 58-2550

Duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes can be bought with home loans if you live in one unit. The loan rules and the local rental rules both affect your numbers.

• Fannie Mae allows up to 95% loan-to-value (5% down) on eligible 2-4 unit homes where the buyer lives in one unit, through Desktop Underwriter. This took effect Nov. 18, 2023.
• FHA lets rent from the property count as income on a 2-4 unit home or a one-unit home with an ADU, under its documentation rules.
• Check the city's rental license and inspection rules before you make an offer, and budget for fees and required repairs.
• Look up the property tax history on the county site so you can estimate costs.
• Ask for current leases, rent amounts, deposit records and utility bills for each unit.

Sources: Fannie Mae: 2-4 unit eligibility changes · HUD FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1

This page is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rental income, expenses, taxes and loan approval depend on your situation. Talk to a CPA, a lender and an attorney before you buy an investment property.