<prompt> Human: Is this a thing that ever happens? Also, is it a problem if those you rent to have government assistance while you have a mortgage?  <response>: Lets just answer this in a general sense:x200B;Can you afford the duplex mortgage without their rent? Then yes, the bank will loan to you. If you can only afford the mortgage payment with their contribution, you may need to re-evaluate your finances.x200B;You will have to get your duplex inspectedlicensed through any citymunicipal rental authority in most places to rent to anyone, EVEN IF theyre family! Government assistance programs will require the place to have a valid lease agreement even family!. Section 8 requires its own inspection and standards. I would look into your local municipalcity information to see what would be required of you.x200B;As for the landlord side, do you want to rent to family? Can you handle missed payments? Potential drama some of the family resent you for not letting Uncle Jim who cant stay employed stay for free? Can you evict your own family for destroying your property? Can you handle them pounding on the door in the middle of the night because their sink is broken, and you have to fix it because you are the landlord?x200B;Where the biggest breakdown that might happen is on taxes, but if you intend to owner occupy, you may qualify to homestead your property which may be a reduced tax rate on the property. And you will have to claim their rent as income. 