You’ve finally landed the job of your dreams, doing the work you’ve always dreamed of doing for a great salary and amazing benefits. It would be the perfect if it weren’t 200 miles away and if you didn’t have a lease for the next six months. But wait: You could always sublet your apartment! Subletting has its risks, but if done properly it will be possible to move out early without breaking your lease. Here are the steps you need to follow to make subletting your apartment a success.
Get Your Landlord’s Permission
- Read your lease to determine your subletting rights. If your landlord profusely forbids it, try to explain your situation in writing and negotiate a solution. You can offer to help your landlord find a new renter, although you are still responsible for the rent until a new lease is signed.
- If subletting is permitted, get your landlord’s permission in writing before moving on to the next step.
Find a Trust-worthy Leaser
- Ask around your circle of friends and co-workers first. If you don’t get a response, try posting an advertisement on Craigslist or other community websites.
- Describe your apartment and the dates that it will be available along with your contact information. You can try to advertise for the same rent you are paying but may have to reduce the rate if you are limited on time.
- Interview interested people. You will still be responsible for the lease so you need to make sure the person who moves in will pay rent on time and keep the apartment well-maintained.
Here are some questions to ask a potential subletter:
- Where are you employed and what is your monthly after-tax income?
- Why are you seeking short-term housing?
- How many people will be living the apartment? Any children? Any pets?
- Do you plan on having any social events or guests staying at the apartment?
Give the best potential sublet candidates a tour of the apartment. Answer their questions as honestly as possible and be candid about any problems. You don’t want the subletter to back out in a month or two since you will be left to fill in the rent.
Sign a Written Agreement
- Even if you were lucky enough to have a friend to take over your lease, you still need to have a written agreement. You can make one yourself but unless you’re a lawyer, this is not advisable. The Internet Legal Research Group has a sublet form for every state. Print out the form for your state here. A professionally formatted version of the form is available for a fee.
- If it’s not mentioned in the agreement, you need to add in a statement regarding the security deposit. Since your landlord is most likely not required to return it to you until the lease is over, you will need to come to an agreement over it. For example, if the subletter puts a hole in the wall are they responsible for the security deposit? If you don’t address it the money will surely come out of your pocket.
- Depending on the terms in your lease and state laws, you may have tenant’s rights over the subletter. This means you can evict the person if they do not pay rent or in any other way violate the terms of the written agreement. Explain this to the subletter so that there is no confusion later.
- Make sure the subletter is clear on when he/she can move in and leave them a way to contact you as well as the owner of the apartment. Leave an emergency maintenance number as well as the place where the rent should be delivered.
This post was updated April 2, 2013.
i need a apartment
i wil like to pay low reat
Rental agrrement for one bed room apartment is 2 persons but they live more than 2,when we talk to them and they said that person is only a guest.We are not live in apartment and the apartment have not inside manager. What can we do to solve this problem? Thank you.
i moved into an apartment about 2 weeks ago and signed a contract with the person on the lease that i would pay their rent etc until july. she told me rent was $420 a month and that i need to MAIL IT TO HER personally (shady). well, i look on the website and the rent here is $350, NOT $420. so i go directly to the apartment people and pay THEM $350 and they said i’m square with them because that’s all they charge for rent. the contract i signed with her wasn’t authorized/signed/discussed with the landlords but they didn’t say anything about that. this is NC by the way if that helps.
hi my name is tasha and me and my kids just moved to alexndria va,two mouths ago and i notice that the cost of living is very high,having to raise three girls 8yr,2yr,and 9mos on a pay check that pays me less then 250.00 every two weeks i dont think i’ll make it and i scraed for my Girls.
thanks for my comment:Tasha
u cant spell
I would like to pay low rent
My Friends and My Fiance have disability. I get SSDI. I need a sublett Apartment in a nice and Safe envoirment in the Atlanta, Ga. In Case something happens to me or my friends we can get help.
Thanks you for my comments : Gina Hamilton
thank you
I need to Sublet my apartment lease, asap, i am in a LOT of debt… My apartment is very nice and close to the North Texas Campus in Denton Texas…
It’s $447 a month all bills paid.. college student friendly… let me know if you are interested! thanks! -Haley
need a place to stay in pineville,Louisiana will be there next week very little money now but have job prospect can you help send me a email.
email me at ronaldhill71@yahoo.com
I want a safe building,safe schools,safe neighborhood.Not far from the air force baseand low rent.
I am looking for a 2 bedroom with 2 bathroom and a w/d hook up and rent undre $375.00 a month with rent can be done on the 3rd of the month Robert/Harold being mates in this apt paying 50/50 thank you Robert Keller 14027 Louise Dr apt 5a Hammond, La. 70403 Phone number is (985)340-1137 and my cell number is (985)415-5772 and need to know if you have inernet..
HI
i need rent studi for june 1 in north bergen , guttenberg.cliffside park, a0 $700 to 750month, please contac me.thanks
I real need a low income appartment my rent is to high it’s $550.00 here and all i get is $942.00 a month and that is on the 3rd i dont know what to do so please help me find a place where i can afford thanks this is my e-mail address lonelylady43_2003@yahoo.com
Wow, all of you need to learn some basic grammar and spelling. Then maybe people will take your offers seriously.
i whould like to pay low rent me and my child need and one bedroom with a patio something nice that my child can enjoy
HI! My name is Dametria I’m 19 from Saginaw,MI.I am trying to find a apartment down south somewhere.Looking for a 1 bedroom or studio apartment.I can aford to pay at the most each month is $350.If you or anyone have any iformation on who I need to talk to or what I need to do (Please give me a call or Email me at)
Dametria Granderson
453 s.13 street Saginaw,MI 48601
Cell#(989)717-6495 0r (989)213-3944
dametriagranderson@yahoo.com
You can search for apartments meeting your criteria right now by clicking the Search for Rentals tab at the top of this page. Search by City, State, Zip and more. From that point you are able to input a wide range of preferences, from minimum and maximum price to number of bedrooms to whether pets are allowed. Each apartment listing features a contact form to directly contact the property for any additional questions or information you need. Good luck with your search!
I am looking for an two bed room,one bathroom,kitchen.etc.and my rate of rent is 1000 to 1075.00 a month.looking for apartment in brooklyn or queens.
I am currently renting a one bedroom apt (630sq ft) near George Bush and Tollway in North Dallas. My rent is $637/month. I am getting married in October 2008. However, I have a lease until April 2009 and my fiance and I have found a house that we cannot afford to let it pass by.
I wanted to find someone who is willing to take over my lease from October 1 till April 2009 subject to the leasing office approving of the candidate. The apartment complex is great and this is the only reason I am having to break my lease. Please email me (jrutan@gmail.com)if you are interested-I can send more info and pictures
Hi im 18 and im looking for an affordable apartment in a very nice neighborhood i live in michigan and i’m going to college this year. I NEED to find an apartment thats around 450 to 500 a month with utilites paid for 1 bedroom. Or a 2 bedroom thats 500 to 525 a month i have a roomate but i’m not so sure about it. I just need help and need to get out of my parents home before i go crazy.
how are you i need to look for apt you help me for apt i need to nice apt
so why did you move to alexandria, when there are sooooo many other cheaper places to live, and you could work at a local supermarket and make more biweekly. i hope you and your girls are safe and warm.
I have a cute 1 bedroom apartment available for sublet. $450 A month! Its available for a short lease of May-September, with option of extension through apartment manager. Please email if you are interested. Its located in Southeast Houston!
i am moving out on my own for the first time,(been married) and i have 2 kids boy/girl..i was wondering if i HAVE to get a 2 br apt. b/c of my kids being b/g?? i hope not bc i am not recieving child support and i only bring home @ 1,440 a month after taxes and that’s only if i don’t get sick and miss work, i am also looking into moving about 20 miles from where i work..since it only going to be me and my kids i was wondering if i could (if there is enough room) turn the livingroom into a br for me and my daughter( i have a king bed) and just let my son have his own room, is that allowed if the mangr doesnt know??
I am a 31 year old person and i am lookin a room for rent in missisauga bitania road west and i afford $350 per month and i share a room with any room partner i am working near of duguy intersection so please contact me if you have room for rent my mob no is 6472203792
1/10/2012 i’m renting in a low income senior citizen complex,but i’m interested in something else!rent to own house,a different low income houseing situation with different rules,location and people,do you have anything for me? i’m paying 224.00 amonth for a small apartment in a modern complex ,that was completed in 1968,when i was still liveing at home[32 lyceum st.geneva ny] kathleen mchale
Im in georgia.I got an apartment with only my name on the lease.My ex, which was my boyfriend at the time, moved in.We agreed to pay fifty percent of all bills that pertain to the apartment… He has not paid our renters insurance, downgraded the cable from 88 dollar to 20 and now refuses to pay a half of the light bill. He put a dog in the apartment. There are no pets on our lease.Two days in a row he left the 1month old puppy from 8-4:30.I gave him verbal notice to move on the first. Can I get him out faster?What can I do about the dog?And what happens if he doesn’t leave on the 30t
I have a one year old daughter I’m 19 and I have two more on the way and I need a sublet apartment and I can never find a good apartment what am I suppose to do I need help
I have a two bedroom apartment in Greenville; and i want someone to take over my lease. someone trustworthy., $755, good location.
Subletting any apartment needs a lot of things to be considered because it is all about money and security as well. The post is sharing very good information about subletting the apartments and these specified points and factors are needed to be considered and followed as well. These tips are good to be followed,
Subletting is a wonderful solution and it can work both ways, too. If you’re looking to sublet a place at a good rate in this high rent market, you can try Craigslist or Subleasehub.com.
Subletting is a wonderful solution if your landlord allows it, and it can work the other way, too. If you’re looking to pay less rent in this high-rent market, subletting a place month-to-month is ideal. Craigslist and Subleasehub.com are both good options.
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Anybody looking for a one bedroom apartment? t.evans@ou.edu
great blog! the information you provide is quiet helpful, why i was not able to find it earlier. anyways i’ve subscribed to your feeds, keep the good work up.