Can I Sublet My Apartment Without Telling My Landlord?
Sharing an apartment is one of the most common ways to reduce your cost of living. When two or more people split the rent, each person only pays part of what an entire apartment might cost. While this is typically done with roommates who sign up for a lease together, but things get more complicated if you want to add someone after you become the primary resident of an apartment.
This leads to the question: Can you sublet an apartment without telling your landlord? Probably not legally. Check our lease, but chances are that you will need to find another route to bringing on a new roommate to reduce the cost of rent.
What is Subletting?
Subletting is when someone who is renting an apartment or house then rents out part of their home to another person. In other words, the new person pays you rent for part of the house, then you pay rent to the apartment property manager.
The term "subletting" comes from an old word for rent. "Rooms for let" was an old way to say rooms for rent. Sub-letting, therefore, is on a lower tier of letting or renting.
Subletting is a common practice, but it is not commonly permitted. Most property owners and managers are not comfortable with subletting, and for very good reasons.
Subletting is Not Permitted in Most Leases
If you want to know if subletting is allowed, check your lease. However, most leases include rules against subletting, and many are very clear about what would be required to bring a new resident into the apartment. For example, Arbors of Grandview does not allow subletting, and the terms are clearly defined in your lease so that there is no confusion.
The rules about subletting can be phrased in a lot of different ways, using the term subletting or renting interchangeably. If there are guest policies, subletting is often in the same section or nearby.
Every Occupant Must Be Screened by the Property Manager
Apartments prefer that every resident is properly screened before they move in or sign a lease. They also require that all residents are added to the primary apartment lease before they move in permanently.
Most leases require that all occupants first fill out an application and then undergo a background check. This ensures that each new resident is someone who can likely be trusted not to damage the apartment or put other residents at risk.
Each new resident who passes the background check will then be asked to sign onto the existing lease as a new official roommate. Signing the lease goes two ways. The lease gives the new person official residence in the apartment, with all the tenant rights that come with that. Second, the new resident is held to all tenant responsibilities including paying their part of rent and liability if they cause serious damage to the home.
Potential Consequences of Subletting Without Permission
- Fined for lease violations
- Evicted for breaking the lease
- Legal liability for the tenant
What can happen if you sublet without permission and your landlord finds out? This is an important question to ask yourself.
Based on the terms of your lease, you could be evicted or fined for breaking the rules.
You may also be held legally responsible for your subletting tenant if they cause any damage to the property or harm to your neighbors.
How to Sublet Without Subletting
If you want to charge a roommate a specific amount of money to move into your apartment, you can do that. But you must also adhere to the terms of your apartment lease.
First, your roommate will need to fill out an application and complete the screening process. Then, they will need to sign onto your lease. From that point, the are an official and approved resident of the apartment. If you want to charge a specific portion of rent based on the rooms and resources they use as your roommate, that can be conducted through a personal agreement instead of a sub-lease.
Renting with Roommates in Arbors of Grandview
Bringing on a roommate the official way is a much smarter decision than subletting without telling your landlord or property manager. It is legally safer for everyone involved, and you can still split the rent in whatever way feels appropriate between you and the new person.
If you are looking for an apartment to share with a friend or even a business acquaintance in Grandview, MO, you can find a number of welcoming apartments at the Arbors of Grandview apartments. Inquire today to explore current opportunities and discuss how sharing the lease with another person might work with the property management team. We can also guide you through bringing on another roommate partway through your lease.
You don't have to sublet to share rent with another person. We can help you move in with roommates in a practical way that is beneficial for everyone.