School’s out for the year and you’re headed back home for the summer – what the heck are you going to do with your apartment in Toronto?
Maybe you’re working but you’re taking time off this summer for a much needed vacay.
Whatever the case, you want to step away from your rental pad and don’t want to suffer the economic drains of paying for a space you’re not even using. With sky high rental fees, who could blame you?
The awesome news is that you can enjoy stepping away from Toronto while having your rental fees covered – out of someone else’s pocket no less – by finding yourself a subletter
Legal Rights
Step one is ALWAYS to check the tenancy agreement you signed with your landlord. If the tenancy agreement doesn’t allowed subletting, you’re out of luck! You’ll definitely want to have a conversation with your landlord if you plan to sublet, as some landlords will require that they can vet the subletter. Remember, though, that even when you have someone subletting from you, you’re ultimately responsible for your apartment! That means if they skip paying rent for July, you’re still on the hook for it. It’s your name on the tenancy agreement!
Finding a Subletter
Post an ad online. Make the ad informative, including the requirements stated on your lease agreement (when rent is due, if smoking is allowed, etc.). Always screen people by meeting them in person at a public place. It might be tempting to accept the first person who calls you for the space and it might feel irrelevant to you who lives in the space, but remember to respect the landlord and their space by choosing a quality individual to sublet. If you plan to come back to your rental pad after the sublet, you might end up leaving a lot of your belongings in the space. You might have put your heart and soul into creating the perfect haven of interior décor and don’t want just anybody living in your nest. Consider going by word of mouth and finding someone who’s connected to your social network. Your friends and family will be great people to help spread the word.
Other Tips
What are you supposed to do with your vintage couch and sentimental artwork? It’s never fun to imagine someone poking through your drawers. Take care of what you’re leaving behind in your space and come to terms with something getting damaged or stained. If your subletter will be there for any decent amount of time, say, 3 months or more, leave them adequate space for their own items. Some drawers and the closet should be emptied out and the space should be decluttered. This probably means you need to find a babysitter for your cat and epic plant collection. Or, consider renting a storage place for your beloved furniture and belongings while you’re away. Take the time to talk with your subletter about the rules of the rental agreement, garbage day, or other household necessities. Since your name is on the lease, it’s your responsibility to ensure your subletter follows all the rules you signed off on!