Imperative Things to know about Subletting your Rental Apartment

Are you going on a trip? If so, chances are that you want to sub-let your house rather than leave it locked during your absence. Subletting could make you some extra bucks, especially, if you will be gone for several weeks. However, you cannot just rent out a house you do not own. There are prerequisites that you should obey to avoid trouble with the law. Even if you are the person who signed the lease agreement or contract, your landlord has the final say about their house. So, here is what you should do.

Find out if your landlord allows it

Prior to finding your temporary occupant, talk to the landlord first. They will tell you if subletting is allowed in their property. If your lease explicitly allows it, you do not have to call your landlord. Otherwise, write a letter to your landlord a whole month before your travel date. Handover any receipt or document they might need as well. In your letter, specify the period of time you wish to sub-lease, the names of the temporary tenant, why you want to sub-lease and other items that might be necessary. Perhaps you have a co-tenant you live with. Have they agreed to your request? Their written consent will be needed by your landlord before granting you permission to sublet.

Locate a sub-tenant

Do not recommend just any person to your tenant. Ensure that the person is not a criminal and that they have a good motive. Thus, you should consult a friend, co-worker or relative about this matter. If your landlord does not mind, you can use their social marketing channel to find a great temporary tenant. Above all, make sure that your house is tidy and neat in the pictures you will use when finding a sub-tenant.

Screen your candidates

As there will be more than one person interested in using your space, take the time to evaluate each of them. Have a sub-lease form that your best tenant should fill. Just as you had to produce your credit report and other personal details before signing your lease document, your short-term tenant must have theirs. Any other piece of information that could help you prove to the landlord that the person is dependable should be sought.

Request for a security deposit

The landlord will still see you as the person responsible for protecting their house. If damage is caused by your new tenant, you will be the one to pay for it. So, it is necessary to have a security deposit in your bank just in case the sub-tenant damages an appliance in your house.

Note that your rental fee should not be too low or too high. Ensure that you set it prudently not to end up with nothing.