Planning to Sublease an Apartment?

Here’s How to Sublease – The Supply is Greater Than the Demand

HaveUHeard that when a student moves into an off-campus apartment they generally sign a lease for twelve months? Most leases run early August (usually a few days up to a week after August 1st) through July 31st. Unlike most dorms, students are responsible for the entire year, even if they do not intend to stay for the summer. However, most apartment complexes will allow students to sublet their apartments. You will, nevertheless, have to jump through a few hoops to make a sublease happen.

To find a sublessor for the summer, if they did not already take care of it in the fall, to start immediately. It may seem a bit early, but there are usually more available apartments looking for sublessors than there are people looking to sublet. Post on Facebook pages and begin asking around in December.  If you are in a sorority or fraternity or involved any sort of club or organization, get the word out there. Another good avenue for possible interest is with those students coming from dorm residences.

Don’t count on getting your full rent covered. Due to the unbalanced supply and demand, many people tend to write off their summer leases. That means finding someone to take over your lease in the summer can be tricky and require flexibility. Some apartment complexes charge a sublet fee. Most all require signed forms with complete information on your sublessor. It is to your advantage to play by the rules and be sure all forms and fees are taken care of.  Without them, you (the original renter) are responsible for any damage that may occur in your absence…and it happens. As a matter of fact, all renters may be responsible if they cannot determine who caused the damage. My daughter and all her roommates were recently charged for a broken washing machine when she wasn’t even in the country, but, with her name still on the lease, she was still on the hook. Read more about subleasing apartments at your student’s university by clicking on the school name.

For school-specific information, check out each university.

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