Getting a subletter for a specific time is often a better alternative than paying rent on a place you’re not living in. If you need to leave your unit in the middle of your lease, understanding what a subletter is can help you find a suitable solution for your situation.
What is a subletter?
A subletter, also known as a subtenant, leases property from a primary renter. If you’re in the middle of a lease agreement and need to relocate, finding someone to sublet your unit offers a possible solution. You may also want to sublet your place if you cannot live at the property for a time during your lease agreement but plan to return. One thing to remember is that subletting and subleasing are different, so make sure you know which one you
Are you always allowed to find a subletter?
Not all leases will allow you to sublet your unit. If you’re thinking about looking for a subletter, you must make sure you’re allowed to sublet.
Read your lease agreement to determine whether the contract includes information about subletting. If your rental contract does not include language about subletting, or the information seems vague, talk to your landlord or property manager directly.
Even if your lease agreement prohibits subletting, you may still want to speak with your landlord instead of breaking your lease. Your landlord may sympathize with a good reason for you needing to hand over a lease and help you reach an agreement.
Once you have the go-ahead to sublet your unit, your landlord will expect you to find someone who will agree to your lease’s terms and follow the rules. Your landlord may also dictate specific additional terms of subletting that do not appear in your original lease. Make sure you get everything in writing so that you don’t risk any miscommunication. You don’t want to be responsible for fees or lose your security deposit because of a simple misunderstanding.
When would you need to find a subletter?
Plenty of reasons exist for finding a subletter. Perhaps you’re a college student studying abroad for a semester. Maybe you’re offered a dream job in a new city. Maybe you’re planning on moving in with your partner, and your partner’s lease ends before yours.
All in all, you might look for a subletter anytime you want to leave the place you’re renting for a longer time. Subletting offers a solution if you need to move out early but can’t or don’t want to break your lease. Subletting is also helpful if you can’t live in your unit for some time — for example, during your semester abroad — but want to return before your lease is up.
What is your role after finding a subletter?
You’ve found a subletter for your apartment. You can pack your belongings and leave town without worrying about anything else — right? Not quite. If you want to sublet your unit, you should first understand your role and the risks you’ll take on.
When you rent your place to a subletter, you become the landlord to the new renter. Your real landlord will still consider you responsible for any problems that occur in your unit. Your name is the one on the lease agreement, after all.
In other words, if your subletter hosts loud parties, damages the property, or doesn’t pay the rent, any consequences are on you. You can protect yourself by asking your subletter to sign a sublease agreement. You might also want to ask for a security deposit so that you aren’t on the hook for any damages made by the subletter.
You’re well within your rights to have a subletter sign a contract and provide you with a security deposit, much like your regular landlord did when you signed your lease. A sublease agreement will set clear guidelines and expectations for the subletter living in your unit. You, your subletter, and your landlord should all sign the agreement to ensure everyone involved understands the terms. If you aren’t comfortable asking for or holding a security deposit yourself, find out whether your landlord is willing to deal with this part for you.
Many subletters will assume that they’re moving into a place with the basics available, especially if you’re planning to move back into your unit after the sublease period ends. In other cases, you’ll have someone take over to the end of your original lease agreement. Make sure you discuss whether you’re providing a furnished space and any rules and liability issues regarding the items your subletter can use.
You’ll also want to remove valuables from your space before the subletter moves in, including items that have financial or sentimental value. Even if you’re subletting to a close friend or relative, you always have some level of risk when you have someone else living among your belongings. To avoid any confusion or future conflict, you can rent a small storage unit or have someone you trust hold your valuable items for you while you’re away.
Can you get a subletter if you live with roommates?
Your most significant responsibility to your roommate is ensuring you cover your portion of the rent each month so that if you need to move out, your roommate may be totally on board with looking for a subletter. However, you shouldn’t find any subletter on your own if you live with others. Even if you’re looking for a subletter because you don’t get along with your roommate, you should try to ensure that everyone living in the space is involved from start to finish.
Let your roommate help with interviewing potential subletters — after all, they’ll have to live together. Your roommate may prefer to cover your part of the rent instead of living with someone new. Discuss your situation with your roommate or roommates before you proceed.
If it’s your first time finding a subletter, the process can seem overwhelming. Understanding what a subletter is and when you’re allowed to find one can help you find a trustworthy individual to live in your rental unit while you’re away.
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