Imagine that work, school, or another important factor in your life is forcing you to relocate, but there's only one problem...you are still under your lease. You definitely never want to break your lease because that will go on your rental history and can make it very difficult to have future apartment applications approved.
One option that you might look into would be to sublet your apartment to someone else until the end of the lease. By doing this you can avoid having to pay the hefty fees that come with breaking your lease. You can also reserve your apartment this way if you are planning on one day moving back in.
BEFORE you sublet though, you should consider the following facts:
Check Your Lease and the Legalities- The first thing that you need to do before you even begin acting upon finding a subletter is check your lease to see if you are even allowed to sublet your apartment. You will find that in some cases subletting is strictly forbidden. If this is the case, do not attempt to sublet as you will be breaking your contractual obligations and run the risk of fines and even being taken to court. If you are unable to find anything about it in the lease or you have questions about it, talk to your apartment manager. They will be able to give you the best advice as it pertains to your lease.
Who's It Gonna be? Once you have okay'd to be able to sublet with your community's management, the next step is finding the person who will take over for you. The best idea is to find someone that you know and trust. Perhaps its an old friend who needs a temporary place or a cousin who wants to take an extended vacation in your city. Regardless of who it is, it's important to remember that you are the one who is still legally bound to the apartment. If something goes wrong while your subletter lives there...the onus is on you.
In the case that you don't know anyone who can sublet, put a listing in the newspaper or on a message board site like Craigslist. Set up a meeting with the potential subletter and even request former rental references to ensure their rental history. You must also be clear and upfront about the rental price and the term of the sublease. I suggest drawing up an agreement signed by both you and the subletter that outlines every detail and responsibility.
It's imperative to remember that YOU are still responsible for the apartment, paying the rent, and paying any fees. If you are unable to collect the rent from your subletter, you still must pay that months rent to the apartment. Just be careful, follow all of the guidelines of your lease, and screen your possible subtenents well and everything should go well.
