Off-Campus
Sublettting Information
Thinking of subletting your apartment?
Do you have a lease through August but are planning to leave
in May? Are you thinking of subletting your apartment for the summer? As you
finish up exams, pack your bags and prepare to sublet* your apartment for the
summer, keep these important facts in mind. Spend your summer in the pool, not
in court.
*To sublet is to rent your apartment to someone during your own lease term.
There is a second lease on the apartment, but it does not negate or release
you from your lease.
SOME SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE YOUR SUBLETTING EASIER:
- The Boston College Off-Campus Housing Office will list summer sublets,
call 617.552.3075. Your listing will stay active for one month only!
Call prior to one month and you can simply renew your listing for another
month. Be sure to include your summer telephone number everywhere you list.
LIST YOUR SUMMER SUBLET AS EARLY AS OCTOBER!!!
- Make a nice notice, including all important details. XEROX several copies,
post them all around campus, in laundromats, supermarkets, and on bulletin
boards everywhere, in local newspapers, and list with Off-Campus Housing offices
at other universities. A few of their telephone numbers are:
- Boston University 617.353.3523
- Harvard University 617.495.3377
- MIT 617.253.1493
- Some leases prohibit subletting. Check with your landlord as to his/her
requirements or procedures before subletting and check you lease to be sure
that you are allowed to sublet. If not, get your landlord's permission IN
WRITING!
- Unless otherwise instructed, make sure that you sign a sublet agreement.
This insures that the sublessee is legally obligated to you. You are still
obligated to your landlord so if the sublessee does not pay, you will be expected
to!! Remember, you remain liable for all obligations until your sublettor(s)
leave. Sample sublet agreement forms are available online.
- Try to get as much rent up front as possible, as well as a security deposit
to cover possible damages.
- The landlord has the right to approve any sublessee (the person to whom
you are subletting). However, his approval must be based on a financial assessment,
not any discriminatory factors.
- Some landlord's charge a fee to allow their tenants to sublet. This is
legal!
- It is easier to sublet your apartment if you leave it furnished.
- You might consider lowering the price of your rent and/or negotiating other costs (parking, utilities, etc.) to make your apartment more attractive.
Getting Back Your Security Deposit
Unless you owe rent or the landlord claims you have damaged the
apartment, he must return your deposit within 30 days after your tenancy ends.
If he claims damages, he must send you an itemized list of them within 30 days
and return any part of the deposit not needed to cover repairs. He cannot deduct
for "reasonable wear and tear."
Also, if the security deposit has been held for a year or more, the landlord
must pay you "5%" interest or other such lesser amount of interest as has been
received from the bank in which the deposit has been held on your security deposit.
If the landlord does not contact you regarding the security deposit within the
30-day period (give or take a few days), you are entitled to the full deposit
back. You can take your landlord to small claims court and sue for up to three
times the amount of the deposit.
*Consumer's Guide to Small Claims Court booklets are available in the off-campus housing office.*
HELPFUL HINTS:
Take pictures of your entire apartment (every room and hall) before you leave.
This will help show the condition you left in, would there be any questions
about damage deductions from your security deposit.