Perhaps you were just offered a great new job opportunity out of town, or maybe you just want to pick up your things and travel the world for a few months. There's only one catch ... you're signed to a year-long lease on your apartment, and the last thing you want is to be paying rent in one city while living in another.
If you're looking to sublet your Ottawa apartment rental, but you're not really sure what to do or where to start, we're here to help. The following tips should make the entire subletting process simple and easy.
What is Subletting?
Subletting your apartment (also called subleasing), in basic terms, is the act of leasing an apartment or room that is already being leased to you. In essence, you become the landlord to a new tenant moving into your unit. However, the relationship is much different than the one between you and your building's landlord, as you're still financially responsible for rent payments and the condition of the apartment.
In the end, subletting is a legal relationship between your landlord, you, and the subletter (also known as the sublessee) - a relationship that requires a lot of responsibility.
Get Landlord Approval First
Before doing anything, you need to make sure that you're even allowed to sublet your apartment in the first place.
Most apartment leases specify that sublet arrangements are permissible only with your landlord approval - so it's a good idea to check with your landlord and ask if you can sublet your apartment, and if so, what exactly is required during the subleasing process (for example, your landlord might require the new tenant to go through an in-depth application process).
In addition, some property management companies might charge an administration fee for the additional paperwork required to process the sublet agreement.
When bringing up your situation with your landlord, be sure to indicate the dates of which you plan to sublet your apartment, a forwarding address for the months that you will not be living on the premises, and when you will be returning. If everything checks out and your landlord agrees to the apartment sublet, remember to get their approval in writing before moving on to the next step.
If you decide to sublet without permission (and your lease clearly states that permission is required), the landlord can evict the subletter and hold you liable for any remaining rent and/or damages to the apartment rental.
Don't Forget Your Roommates!
If you have roommates and you just plan on subletting your room, you should discuss the situation with your present roommates and make sure they'll okay with having a potential stranger living with them. Make sure that your roommates meet the potential sublessee before they move in, and ensure that everybody is in agreement about how rent and utilities will be paid when the subletter moves in.
Finding the Right Tenant
You don't want to give your apartment to just anybody - after all, your name will still be on the lease and you'll be responsible for any harm done to the apartment by the sublessee. If the subletter fails to pay the rent or trashes the apartment, it'll be your rental reputation that gets ruined, not theirs.
It pays to be meticulous with your search. Ask friends, ask coworkers, advertise on bulletin boards ... just don't hand over your apartment keys to the first person that asks for them. When evaluating prospective subletters, be sure to put on your "landlord hat" - check out their references and conduct a personal interview with the potential subletter to make sure they will be a good tenant on your behalf. In particular, you'll want to ask their references if the candidate was able to pay their rent on time and if they had any damage in their previous apartments.
In the end, don't let desperation drive you into choosing an undesirable subletter. Having to pay rent on two places for a while is a much better option than leasing your apartment out to a badly behaved tenant.
Negotiating the Sublease Agreement
So you've finally found the perfect person to sublet your apartment while you're away. Now comes the final step in the process - negotiating the terms of the sublease agreement with the new tenant.
Before the subletter moves in, you'll need to agree on several points, including how much the rent your sublessee will pay, the duration of the sublease, and whether they will pay you or your landlord directly. Keep in mind that some landlords will not accept rent from individuals not on the lease, so make sure to have this discussion prior to finalizing the sublease agreement.
It's important that you sign a written sublet agreement. This document should set out all of the terms and conditions of the sublet, including the start and end dates of the agreement, security deposit information, a checklist outlining the condition of the apartment before the subletter moves in, the use of your furniture and appliances by the subletter, and whether the subletter will be taking on any additional responsibilities (such as taking care of pets or plants).
Once both of you sign the agreement (and the landlord approves it), you're good to go! Enjoy your travels, and sleep easy knowing that your apartment lease will be in good hands.
Your Responsibilities as a Tenant
Remember, if you're unable to sublet your apartment, you're still responsible for paying the rent for the duration of the lease, even if you're no longer living in the apartment. If you fail to fulfill the obligations set out in your apartment lease, the landlord could be entitled to damages, including rent for those months he was unable to find a new tenant, plus reasonable costs of advertising the newly vacated apartment.
Looking for an apartment for rent in Ottawa? Paramount Properties is Ottawa’s second largest residential property management company. With more than 6,500 Ottawa apartment rentals available in some of the city’s finest locations, we’re your #1 choice for an Ottawa apartment.
