Signed Lease To Live In House With 5 Total People. Inspector Came And Told The Landlord Only 4 People Should Have Been Allowed. Landlord Wants Us To Lie And Say Two Of Us Are Related To Avoid Penalties.

In Rochester, NY.

The inspector came a few days ago, business as usual. Checking smoke detectors, etc. I wasn't home, but one of my roommates was. The inspector sent a letter to the landlord saying the house is violating a rule where no more than 4 unrelated people can live in a single house, so because there are 5 of us, we're violating that rule.

The landlord told us that they've had 5 people at the house before with no problem, so she thinks the inspector is just trying to collect fine money. She wants to challenge that we are 5 unrelated people because the inspector never asked if any of us were related. The landlord has told us that, if we are comfortable, she will call the inspectors and say 2 of us are brothers.

The landlord says she doesn't think we would get in trouble, only she would, and that doing this would "be the only way we can stay" at the house we are renting (there are still like 6 months in the lease). She doesn't think the inspectors would check for proof, either.

What are we supposed to do here? My main question is if we refuse and the landlord is in violation of this rule, what would come of it? Would the landlord be able to evict someone/break the lease? Or would she just incur fines and then one of us can't renew next time (which would be fine for us)?