{"id":12221,"date":"2017-09-08T07:30:56","date_gmt":"2017-09-08T12:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abodo.com\/blog\/?p=12221"},"modified":"2021-01-05T09:26:55","modified_gmt":"2021-01-05T15:26:55","slug":"simple-guide-sublease-agreements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentable.co\/blog\/simple-guide-sublease-agreements\/","title":{"rendered":"Simple Guide to Sublease Agreements"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fixed-term leases, compared with month-to-month, offer more stable rent prices and a more secure place to call home over the long term. Unless, that is, you find yourself needing to leave.<\/p>\n

Subletting is the perfect way to avoid paying for an empty apartment without giving it up completely, while also helping someone else find a great apartment \u2014 yours!<\/p>\n

Rentable can help you sublease agreements from start to finish: what subleasing means, how to fill your sublet, and what to put in your sublet contract.<\/p>\n

What is a sublease?<\/h2>\n

Getting a new job could mean relocating to a new city in the middle of your lease, or taking an extended trip can mean months of an empty apartment. So what are your options? You can keep paying the bills, or you can sublet.<\/p>\n

If you decide to sublet your apartment, you\u2019re creating a new lease between you and who you decide to sublease to, without canceling the lease you have with your landlord.<\/p>\n

Even with a sublease agreement, you, as the original tenant, are still ultimately responsible for unpaid rent and any damages the property incurs. Don\u2019t sublease to someone you can\u2019t trust.<\/p>\n

Is subletting legal?<\/h2>\n

The legality of subleasing almost entirely depends on where you are. Some property managers will prohibit sublets in the lease agreement, but some cities have ordinances to block that prohibition so long as the sublessor finds a \u201creasonable\u201d new tenant.<\/p>\n

In some cases, you might not even need approval from your landlord to sublet your apartment. But even so, you should keep your landlord informed of any and all residency changes.<\/p>\n

To find out whether a sublease is legal in your situation, your first step should be researching local landlord-tenant laws for guidance on what is the norm for your area and if there are any other stipulations, such as how to price your listing or to which buildings the regulations apply.<\/p>\n

An illegal sublet can be a huge financial and legal burden for you and the person you sublease to \u2014 so don\u2019t be tempted to sneak a sublet.<\/p>\n

How do I approach my landlord?<\/h2>\n

Before you start talk to your landlord about subletting your apartment, brush up on your local and state laws. Your landlord should be quite knowledgeable in this area, but you shouldn\u2019t rely on him or her as your sole source of information. Also pore over your lease agreement to look for specifics and stipulations so you can walk into the the conversation with a clear plan in mind.<\/p>\n

If your research tells you that you\u2019re well within your rights to sublease worry-free, then be sure to ask your landlord how they prefer to handle the situation. They could ask you to sign a contract accepting responsibility for any unpaid rent or damages caused by a new tenant, or they could create a new lease altogether.<\/p>\n

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Do I need to ask my roommates?<\/h2>\n

If you have roommates, you should absolutely discuss your plans with them and ask them what would be most comfortable for them as you move forward. Would they want to have a hand in selecting the new tenant, or would they instead prefer to just give you a few pointers about what they\u2019re most concerned with?<\/p>\n

Regardless, you should be communicative and transparent with the people who will be living with the new tenant you select every day \u2014 but, because you\u2019re still financially on the line, you get to make the final call.<\/p>\n

How do I list my sublease?<\/h2>\n

Finding someone to fill your sublet is one of the easiest parts of the process. For starters, you can create a detailed and professional-looking listing on Rentable and throw your apartment in front of active apartment-seekers right in your city.<\/p>\n

All you need to do is upload great photos, input your address and give us a description, and we\u2019ll verify the listing so sublet-seekers know they can trust the listing. When your listing is built, you can and should immediately share it across social media with all of the information \u2014 with the Rentable link, it\u2019s easy to share all of the information in an intuitive and attractive format.<\/p>\n

While you\u2019re deciding what to price your place, comb your lease and your local laws for any governing regulations. In some areas, your sublet rent can\u2019t exceed the normal market rent.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re still struggling, try these six tips to fill your sublet<\/a> quickly.<\/p>\n

What should sublease agreements include?<\/h2>\n

Sublease agreements are between you (aka sublandlord), your landlord, and the person you\u2019re subletting to (aka subtenant), and they\u2019re a legal framework to assign certain responsibilities and rules \u2014\u00a0just like a normal rental agreement.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s drafted by you or your landlord, you\u2019ll want to be sure it discusses a few key topics:<\/p>\n