Whether you’re participating in a study abroad program or spending your summer in another city, you might be asking yourself: What do I do with my apartment while I’m gone?
If the thought of paying rent while your apartment sits empty doesn’t appeal to you, you might consider the options of subletting or reletting your apartment.
Read Next: What’s Included in Student Housing Rent Off-Campus Near OSU?
We recognize the difficulties in securing someone to take over your lease. To make this process less challenging, we’re sharing seven tips to assist you in subletting your apartment near The Ohio State University.
Subletting vs. Reletting
Subletting and reletting both involve someone assuming your lease for a specified period, yet there are distinct differences between these options.
In the case of subletting, you remain financially and legally responsible for your contract. Any rent defaults or property damages caused by the subletter would hold you liable.
On the other hand, reletting gets rid of your financial obligations upon the new tenant’s move-in. The incoming tenant enters into a completely separate lease with the landlord, releasing you from your initial lease agreement. So, if the reletter were to depart or default on rent, the contractual obligation rests with them, not you.
At Rambler Columbus, we exclusively offer reletting. While we use the term “subletting” for simplicity in this article, it’s crucial to note that whether you seek a sublet or relet, the process of doing so remains similar—the distinction is in the liability.
7 Tips to Find a Subletter in Columbus, OH
1. Know your apartment’s rules
Before subletting, make sure it’s allowed according to your lease terms. As previously mentioned, Rambler Columbus exclusively permits reletting. Lease policies vary among apartments, so review your contract thoroughly to verify the regulations with subletting.
If you are uncertain about the policies regarding subletting, consult your leasing office. Should they approve, take note of any specific subletting terms not outlined in your lease.
To prevent potential miscommunications and unforeseen charges, document all agreed-upon terms in writing.
2. Talk to your roommates
Have a conversation with your roommates about your subletting intentions, particularly if they will be living there during that period.
This is not mandatory but it’s considerate to involve your roommates in the discussion. As your home is a shared environment, keeping everyone informed during the tenant search process is recommended. This approach reduces the chance of conflicts or misunderstandings down the line.
3. Ask your friends
Before seeking a random subletter, explore whether anyone within your network is seeking a sublease opportunity.
Choosing a subletter that you know, or is recommended by a trusted source reduces the associated risks compared to bringing in a stranger.
The process of finding a suitable tenant often involves demanding tasks like meetings and gathering references. Using your network could potentially save you time and effort. Reach out to friends, peers and group chats. This way you will find a reletter who is known by someone within your existing network.
4. Use social media
If reaching out within your circle doesn’t help you find someone, several social media platforms serve as effective places for students seeking subletters in their area. Platforms like GroupMe, Facebook, and Instagram are commonly used.
Among these, OSU subletting groups on Facebook are particularly popular and effective. These groups facilitate posts offering seeking subleases.
Active participation across multiple groups and consistent posting often will find you a subletter. Talking with potential candidates through messaging allows you to decide who might be a suitable match for your room and house.
Some popular facebook pages for OSU students looking to sublease include:
- Ohio State University (OSU) Housing, Sublets & Roommates
- OSU – Ohio State University – Off-campus Housing / Apartment / Sublet
5. Know what you’re looking for
It’s crucial to find a compatible subletter, especially when sharing the space with roommates.
Consider specifying qualities or preferences in your social media posts to narrow down your options. For instance, if a roommate has a dog allergy, stating in your post that dog ownership isn’t feasible helps filter potential candidates.
Read Next: 5 Benefits of Living in a New Student Apartment in Columbus, OH
In addition to specific preferences like age (graduate student or undergraduate), tidiness, and sleeping routines, students commonly mention these aspects in their posts. Being precise in your criteria will help you find someone quicker when looking for potential subletters.
Free Download: Roommate Questionnaire
6. Ask for references
When assessing potential subletters for your student apartment, verifying their trustworthiness is important.
If you connect with a subletter online, requesting at least two references can help validate their reliability and commitment.
Ideally, one of these references should be a former landlord, providing information about the individual’s reliability and past tenancy.
7. Understand the risk
As reiterated earlier, subletting your apartment carries inherent risks. You need to keep in mind that you bear liability if the subletter causes property damage, fails to pay rent, or disregards property regulations.
To mitigate these risks, consider conducting a background check. Some apartment complexes require a background check or may cover their expenses as part of the sublease approval process, so it’s wise to review your apartment’s policies.
One advantage of reletting is that once you secure a reletter to sign your lease, you are not liable for any future damages to the premises.
Securing a subletter is similar to the process of finding a roommate. For additional tips, refer to our guide on How to Find a College Roommate at Ohio State.
We hope that these steps help you in your process of finding a tenant to relet or sublet your apartment. If you have any further questions, please reach out to our leasing team and they will be happy to help you.
