Earn Money On Vacation: How To Sublet Successfully

September 16th, 2011 by Crystal Beran| Posted in Apartment Guide, Apartment Living, Moving Tips, Saving Money, Tips & Tricks | No Comments »

If you’re going on vacation, you can earn extra money while you’re away by subletting your apartment. Here’s how to do it:

1. Find out whether you’re allowed to sublet.

Certain types of apartments may directly prohibit subletting or may only allow it with the permission of the apartment owner. Before you decide to sublet, it’s important to make sure that it doesn’t go against your current lease. Most leases won’t include a clause about subletting at all and if they don’t, it’s safe to assume subletting is allowed. If your lease does have a clause prohibiting subletting, it still may be possible to sublet if you get written permission from the owner ahead of time.

2. Get your own travel plans set.

You want to make sure that your subletter is going to be in your apartment while you’re away so make sure the dates for your own trip are firm before you start looking for a short term renter.

3. Discuss your plans with your neighbors.

If you’re going to have a subletter in your apartment while you’re away, you’ll want to make sure to tell your neighbors what’s going on. The last thing you want is for a protective neighbor to call the cops on a subletter, thinking that you’re being robbed. It’s also great to have a neighbor with whom you can leave your keys. This way, the subletter can pick them up from a person instead of digging them out from a hiding place or from under the welcome mat.

4. Post an ad on the internet.

Craigslist is a great place to find a subletter but there are vacation rental websites you can check out as well. The wider net you cast when fishing for subletters, the more likely it will be that you fill your apartment for the entire duration of your trip. You’ll want to include plenty of high quality photos and some information about the neighborhood in the ads.

5. Write up an agreement.

You may want to have your subletter sign off on a document modeled after your own lease. This way you can ensure that the apartment rules are properly followed and you will lessen your chances of having a problem with your landlord when you return. If you want a cleaning or security deposit, make sure that information is outlined in the agreement as well, and make sure you return it promptly after you’ve checked out your apartment when you get back.

6. Move your valuables into storage.

When you’re subletting, it’s expected that you leave the apartment in usable condition for your short term renters. They’ll need access to the kitchen and your dishes and cookware, the TV and stereo, the bath towels, and the beds but that doesn’t mean you should leave all of your belongings in the house while you’re gone. Store your computer at a neighbor’s house while you’re away. Put your jewelry into a safe deposit box. Any expensive artwork should also be removed from the house. Basically, anything that could be devastating to lose shouldn’t be in the apartment when you’re away.

Ever sublet your place while away?  We’d love to hear your success (or horror!) stories–here or on our Facebook page!