How To Sublet An Apartment

Need to sublet an apartment? While most of us don’t anticipate
needing to find alternate tenants during the course of our rental agreement,
jobs, circumstances, and opportunities change, and sometimes it’s easier to
find a sub letter

To
successfully sublet an apartment, there are a few different key steps that
you’ll want to take, and these start even before you begin your tenant search.
We’ve outlined those steps for you below, plus a few tips on how to find a
subletter to fill your space. Here’s what you need to know. furniture movers in dubai

1.  
Look up the laws in your state

Some
states, including California and Texas, require that you get landlord
permission before you sublet an apartment, even if the lease agreement allows
subletting. Others, such as Illinois and New York, allow subletting with or
without landlord permission. And in Virginia, you need to send a written
request to your landlord and they have 10 days to reply—if they say okay, or if
they fail to reply in that timeframe, you can go ahead and sublet. house movers and packers in Dubai

Because each state has its own rules and regulations around
subletting and the process required to do it, it’s important that you look up
exactly what you’re working with in your locality. You can access a
state-by-state breakdown of subletting laws 

2.  
Get written permission from your
landlord, if required

In states where landlord permission is required before you can
sublet an apartment, it’s a good idea to have the conversation before you start
seeking out qualified tenants. Make sure to get permission in writing, either
on your lease or as an addendum.

What if your landlord says no? Leases are legally binding
contracts, subject to the laws of the jurisdiction they take place in. If your
landlord refuses your request for a subletter and its within their rights to do
so, you won’t have much recourse. That being said, it might be worth trying to
make an appeal. Send a follow-up request in writing explaining your situation
and trying to work out a compromise. There’s a chance they’ll be open to
reconsidering.

3.  
Find a subletter

Finding a subletter is pretty similar to finding a roommate,
with the caveat that the terms of the agreement and the length of the stay will
likely look a little bit different. Because you’re on the line for rent
payments if your subletter fails to pay though, it’s very important to choose a
tenant who is both trustworthy and qualified, and who you can rely on to hold
up their end of the bargain while you’re away.

Referrals from friends and family members are a good way to find
qualified tenants. Be as clear as you can when specifying the terms of the
sublet, including the dates, the rent, and expectations International movers and packers in Dubai

Interview potential subletters before deciding who to go with.
Ask for past landlord references to ensure they’re reliable with rent payments,
and ask for any financial and/or general background information you need to
feel confident your lease (and your apartment) are in good hands.

4.  
Create a subletting agreement

You’ll want a legally binding contract between yourself and your
subletter, similar to the lease you have with your landlord. This sets out the
ground rules for their tenancy, and helps make sure that both of you are on the
same page in terms of what the expectations are. Outline how you intend to
handle rent payments as well. Many people who sublet an apartment have their
subtenant pay the rent directly to them and then pass on the payment to the
landlord. Other things to cover in your subletting

agreement include:

·        
Start and end dates of the sublet

·        
Who’s responsible for paying utilities

·        
Grounds under which subtenant can be evicted/what happens if
subtenant stops paying the rent

·        
Grounds under which security deposit will be forfeited

5.  
Have your landlord look over your
subletting agreement

Before having your subletter sign your agreement, check in with
your landlord again to fill them in on who the subtenant is and to give them a
chance to look over the paperwork. While this isn’t a necessary step, it’s
always a good idea to cover as many bases as possible for your own protection.
Your landlord may have additional policies as well that they want included in
the subletting agreement, such as regulations on guests, noise, and pets. Web
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6.  
Sign the agreement and get a security
deposit

When you sublet an apartment you’re basically stepping in to the
role of landlord. And just like a landlord would, you should get a security deposit when
you sign your agreement.

Be sure to follow your state’s laws regarding the collection and
storing of security deposits. Some states, for example, require that the
deposit be held in an interest bearing account until it’s returned. You can
find your state’s security deposit laws.

7.  
Do a complete inspection of your
apartment before exchanging the keys

Inspect and document the state of your apartment prior to
handing over the tenancy. This information will be crucial later on if there
are any disagreements over the condition of the unit.

There are certain risks that you incur when you sublet an apartment,
and although in most cases things will go smoothly, it’s better to be prudent
than to forego caution. From your subletting agreement to your payment
structure, be sure to work in protections that will give you peace of mind
while you’re away. So long as you have a reliable and responsible subtenant
though, you hopefully won’t have much to worry about.