People sign leases and generally intend to stay for the duration, but sometimes life gets in the way. Dramatic things may happen, and the person has no control over it. Whether it’s a job relocation, moving to care for a sick parent, or other situations, sometimes a lease must be broken. Finding a person to live in the rented home and creating a sublease agreement could help a renter from breaking a lease and losing their security deposit.
- The most important thing is to make sure that your landlord agrees to the sublet. Make sure to get it in writing, important in any type of legal action.
- You might not have intended to ever be a landlord, but for all intents and purposes, you will become one after the signing of the sublease agreement. All laws that apply to landlords will now apply to you. You will also be the connection between the original landlord and your sub-tenant.
- Posting flyers in your neighborhood could help you find a tenant who is already familiar with the area. He knows the neighborhood, parking situation, and where everything is. Contacting friends and co-workers can be another good place to start the search for your sub-tenant.
- When advertising in a flyer or other advertisement, ask for the high end of the price range. You will find a better caliber of person for your sublease that way.
- Discuss kids and pets beforehand. If owning a squawking bird or barking dog is going to be a problem, this is not the sub-tenant for you. If the lease doesn’t allow pets, your tenant can’t have one either.
- The sublease agreement is a legal document. Make sure everything is in writing, including any pet deposit and application fee, is included in the contract. The only way to protect your interests is to have absolutely everything written down.
- Consider whether or not this person is a good fit. If there is another roommate involved, they should be able to coexist without problems.
- Lastly, make sure you give proper notice at the end of your lease. As a sub-tenant, once the person has signed the sublease agreement, they are responsible for paying you. You pay the landlord. It is your responsibility to give notice. If things go well with the sub-tenant, you may recommend that they take over the lease on their own for next time, so the apartment or house stays occupied.
It cannot be said enough to always get everything in writing. You do not want to look for trouble, but if every eventuality is covered in your paperwork, you are in the clear. If you have everything listed in the sublease agreement, there will be no financial surprises, and the entire experience can be a positive one.
