Consent to search may be given by a resident who shares authority to search common areas, even if another resident objects.

• A. The consent of one resident with common authority allows a search even if another resident objects.
• B. Only written consent is valid.
• C. A non-occupant cannot consent.
• D. Consent must be obtained from every occupant.

Answer: (A)

When two or more residents share control over the living space, a valid consent from one of them to search applies to the common areas they both use. The person with that shared authority can permit entry for a search even if another resident objects, because the objecting resident does not have a privacy interest in those shared spaces. The objection does not automatically veto the search of areas that both have access to, though it would matter if the police needed to search private spaces reserved for the objecting occupant. Written consent isn’t required; verbal consent can be enough if it’s voluntary. So the idea that one resident with common authority can authorize a search despite another resident’s objection is the correct principle.