How can I quickly sublet my apartment?

October 21, 2005 8:42 AM

How can I quickly sublet my apartment?

I'm in the same boat as the OP in this thread -- I recently renewed my lease through July and then found a house too good to pass up. I close in 30 days. My apartment complex wants 60 days move-out notice, a reletting fee (equal to about one month's rent), and will charge us rent every month until they're able to find a new tenant.

Based on the advice in the above thread and some research on my own, I feel like we'll be unable to weasel out of this. But if we can find a new tenant, the complex will create a new lease in the new tenant's name, removing us from all liability, and will not charge us the reletting fee.

So how can I quickly find a tenant for my apartment? I've already posted an ad on craigslist, but there are actually several other ads similar to mine -- other apartments in the same area for the around the same price -- which makes me nervous.

What are some other good approaches? Advice on writing a compelling ad? (Most I've seen seem to use ALL CAPS AND LOTS OF EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!)

posted by medpt to home & garden (7 comments total)

What city? My sister tried this and ended up paying an extra eight months rent (Austin, right after the tech bust). If you're desperate enough you might want to consider paying part of the rent to make it more alluring (Pay $100.00/month of the rent to attract a subletter more quickly). It kind of depends on the real estate market in your town, though.
posted by Sara Anne at 8:52 AM on October 21, 2005

Sara Anne, I am also in Austin.

That's an interesting idea. I don't know much about the real estate market here for renters, but there are definitely many craigslist ads, and it's also the end of the year, a time when nobody moves.
posted by medpt at 9:00 AM on October 21, 2005

I subletted (sublet?) my apartment last February using Craigslist. It only took a week before I had someone willing to take over the lease. It is sooo important to have pictures of your apartment. According to the people who moved in this was very important. Also, be sure to include information about local bus lines or nearby public transportation as well as building amenities like a rooftop deck.

Good luck!
posted by Alison at 10:22 AM on October 21, 2005

Post a short section about the neighborhood or complex highlights. If there are bars / restaurants / shopping nearby, let people know that. True, they can use that info to triangulate on other CL ads and see other things in the area, but you'll be the first person they contact.

I second pictures. Though I've sublet (for weeks not 10 monhts) without 'em (of course looking in person first), it really makes life easier.
posted by zpousman at 10:45 AM on October 21, 2005

To compete with other listings in your area, offer to pay their first month's rent once they take over the lease. A lot of people really feel the hit when they have to pay first month, last month, and security deposit at the time of signing.

You'll still be saving a lot, and you'll get more interest right away. And first month's rent means a lot more than lower rent throughout the term of the lease.

I strongly agree that you need pictures in your ad. Photos with captions are even better.

And since you're moving soon, you might as well do what sellers do: make the place look as generic and roomy as possible by removing personal items and excess furniture.

In your ad, use a friendly, personal tone, and give specific times when you will be able to actually answer the phone.
posted by wryly at 11:04 AM on October 21, 2005

medpt: on a related note, since you're in Austin I assume the Lease Contract you signed -- based on the language in your post -- is the standard Texas Apartment Association adhesion contract. In addition to the reletting fee, they will get your security deposit and give it to the new resident as well unless you preemtively do something about it:

Paragraph 30 entitled “Replacements” has two subsections, one entitled “Replacements and Subletting, and the other “Procedures for Replacement.” The terms of the first section in pertinent part states: “replacing a resident, subletting or assignment is only allowed when [landlord] consents in writing.”

The Procedures and Replacement goes on to state the following: “Unless [landlord] agrees otherwise in writing, your (departing resident) security deposit will automatically transfer to replacement as of the date we approve. The departing resident will no longer have a right to occupancy or security deposit.”

IANAL.
posted by fourstar at 2:41 PM on October 21, 2005

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I revised my ad based on many of the suggestions here (mention public transportation; use a friendly, personal tone; offer a financial incentive) and have already had some interest.

fourstar: Thanks for the info. My landlord did mention the transfer of my deposit. I spun it as a bonus for the new tenant in the ad.

For future googlers in the same predicament, here is the ad in its current form:

$650 / 1br - 650 sqft excellent apartment near UT (no deposit or fees!)

The apartment is a large 1 bedroom, 1 bath in central Austin. It's 650 square feet and has a spacious kitchen with a pantry, bar, and lots of cabinet space and countertops. The bedroom is big, with a walk-in closet, and there's tile throughout the kitchen and bathroom.

The location is ideal for a UT student or anyone who wants to live near downtown. It's a short walk to the UT campus and many awesome shops, bars, restaurants: Dog and Duck Pub, Clay Pit, Mars, Veggie Heaven, Jimmy Johns, and everything on the Drag. Several buses stop right in front of the complex: #3, #19, Red and Gold dillos.

The courtyard has picnic tables, barbeque pits, and lots of trees. The complex provides a free reserved covered parking spot and basic cable.

We need to find a tenant quickly, so we're offering to cover your application fees and deposit. There will be no up-front cost for you to move in, and the full deposit ($175) will be yours when you move out. (Free money!)

The apartment is available mid-November.

posted by medpt at 3:07 PM on October 21, 2005