Subletting Your Apartment

This article, "Subletting Your Apartment: A How-to Guide" was originally published on the Apartments.com Renterverse in 2016 and updated in 2024. 

You've decided you want to study abroad, graduate early, or participate in a co-op in another city, but you're stuck in the middle of a year-long lease! If you find yourself in this position, consider the possibility of subletting your apartment. Subletting is the act of allowing another person to rent the apartment that you are currently renting. Subletting has its risks, but if done properly it will be possible to move out early without breaking your lease. Here are the steps you need to follow to make subletting your apartment a success.

Woman hands keys over to another woman in an apartment

Get Your Landlord’s Permission

  • Read your lease to determine your subletting rights. If your landlord profusely forbids it, then it probably won't be a possibility. You could try to explain your situation in writing and offer to help your landlord find a new renter, although you are still responsible for the rent until a new lease is signed.
  • If subletting is permitted, get your landlord’s permission in writing before moving on to the next step.

Find a Trust-Worthy Leaser

  • Ask around with people you know and trust, and add a listing on Drexel's Off Campus Housing page.
  • Describe your apartment and the dates that it will be available. You can try to advertise for the same rent you are paying but may have to reduce the rate if you are limited on time.
  • Interview interested people. You will still be responsible for the lease so you need to make sure the person who moves in will pay rent on time and keep the apartment well-maintained.

Interview Your Potential Subletter

  • What source of income will you use to pay for apartment?
  • Why are you seeking short-term housing?
  • How many people will be living the apartment?
  • Do you plan on having any social events or guests staying at the apartment?

Give the best potential sublet candidates a tour of the apartment. Answer their questions as honestly as possible and be candid about any problems. You don’t want the subletter to back out in a month or two since you will be left to fill in the rent.

Sign a Written Agreement

  • Even if you were lucky enough to have a friend to take over your lease, you still need to have a written agreement. You can make one yourself but unless you’re a lawyer, this is not advisable. The Internet Legal Research Group has a sublet form for every state, print out the form for the state of Pennsylvania here. A professionally formatted version of the form is available for a fee.
  • If it's not mentioned in the agreement, you need to add in a statement regarding the security deposit. Since your landlord is most likely not required to return it to you until the lease is over, you will need to come to an agreement over it. For example, if the subletter puts a hole in the wall are they responsible for the security deposit? If you don’t address this in the agreement, you will most likely be responsible.
  • Depending on the terms in your lease, you may have tenant’s rights over the subletter. This means you can evict the person if they do not pay rent or in any other way violate the terms of the written agreement. Be sure to explain this concept to the subletter so that there is no confusion later.
  • Make sure the subletter is clear on when they can move in, and leave them a way to contact you as well as the owner of the apartment. Leave an emergency maintenance number as well as the place where the rent should be delivered.

Published June 7, 2016, updated February 27, 2024

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hi! I'm Helen Ann Wells, a content writer at Apartments.com. Having lived in three different rental properties over the past two years, I bring a wealth of knowledge about the ins and outs of renting. When I'm not writing, you'll often find me immersed in a novel, catching up on the latest TV drama, or spending quality time with my friends and family.