Subletting is when a tenant rents out their apartment or a portion of it to someone else for a period of time within the lease term. The original tenant remains financially responsible for all rent that might be unpaid and all damage that the subletter might do. Here are some key points to keep in mind about subletting:
- A sublet, or sublease agreement, adds someone new to an existing lease.
- The new person, or subletter, usually replaces someone who is moving out, but it can also be useful if you want to add someone new to a lease, like a significant other.
- If you have a lease for a set term, like one year, you can sublet with or without your landlords permission, unless they prohibit this in the written lease. However, it is never a good idea to move someone in without the landlord's knowledge, since they may not respect that person's rights if they don't know they are a tenant there.
- If you want to sublet, it's important to do it correctly, or you could be in violation of your lease terms and face financial consequences.
- Before you decide to sublease, it's important to review your lease agreement and check with your landlord to make sure subletting is allowed.
- If you're allowed to sublet, you should create a sublease agreement that outlines the terms of the arrangement, including the rent amount, the length of the sublease, and any other conditions.
- It's also important to screen potential subletters carefully to make sure they are reliable and responsible.
- Finally, it's a good idea to document the condition of the apartment before the subletter moves in and after they move out, to avoid any disputes over damages.
