Sublets
What should a sublease agreement include?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
A sublease should name both parties and the address, state the dates, rent, due date and how it is paid, cover the deposit, utilities and furniture, and say who pays for damage. Attach a copy of the original lease or its key rules, and note the landlord's approval if you have it.
Write it down even for a short summer sublet between students. It protects both sides if rent is late, something breaks, or someone stays past the end date. Include:
- Names of the original tenant and subtenant, the address and which room or unit
- Start and end dates, including move-in and move-out times
- Rent amount, due date, payment method and late fee if any
- Security deposit amount and when and how it is returned
- Which utilities are included, and a cap if you want one
- A list of furniture and items that stay, and their condition
- House rules from the main lease: guests, pets, smoking, noise, parking
- What happens if either side needs to end early
- Who to contact for repairs
- Landlord consent, attached or referenced
The subtenant has to follow the original lease too, so give them a copy or the relevant parts. A sublease cannot give the subtenant more rights than the original tenant has. Both sign, and both keep a copy.
Take dated photos of every room together at move-in and move-out. They settle most deposit disagreements.
Want the whole picture? Read How to Find a Sublet or Roommate on Facebook Safely.