I’m away for the summer, but my University of Central Florida apartment lease is year-round. What are the steps to subleasing my UCF apartment for the summer?

As a UCF student, summer can be the most relieving break because it means no more exams, no more homework, and no more studying. What remains is the glooming responsibility to pay rent, especially if your lease is year-round. Many college students find that paying for an apartment that is going to be empty seems like a waste of good money. Subleasing is a good alternative for college students that are going to be away from their apartment near the University of Central Florida for an extended time such as summer or in other cases studying abroad.  

Tips for How to Sublease Your UCF Apartment 

Subleasing or subletting an Orlando apartment means that you are legally allowing someone to rent your space for a short period. For most apartment leases, especially those surrounding the UCF area, leasing contracts can go up to 12 months. For college students, that may seem unnecessary due to summer break lasting close to 3 months. That is a 1/4 of the lease contract. If you're considering subleasing, it is vital that before you set out to look for a potential subletter, you let the leasing office know you're thinking about subleasing. The leasing office can ensure that the individual is to be trusted to take over your lease for the extended time and assign the responsibility to the subleaser. In addition to that, many leasing contracts require transfer fees and leasing fees. It is up to you to decide whether paying the price is worth it. 

Finding a Trustworthy Person 

Before setting out, keep in mind that there may be clauses that prohibit the opposite sex from taking over your lease. These clauses are especially important when roommate matching is involved as the leasing office must respect their rooming preferences. Additionally, if you're living in a pet-friendly apartment near UCF, you'll need to check with the subletter to be sure they are comfortable living with your roommates' pets. 

The search process for a subletter might not be as quick as one would hope. Finding a trusting individual with whom which you have a connection with is often recommended for a first-time sublease.  After all, they will be living in your apartment and must uphold all liabilities. It is also not uncommon to see offers for subleases on social media. If this is the case for you, be sure to spend some time with the individual and to invest in familiarizing yourself with them. Your apartment manager will also require a background check on the subletter, and this could provide extra reassurance that you have selected the right individual.

Negotiating Rent and Terms

One thing to keep in mind is to negotiate what the subletter is going to pay. This price can vary from apartment to apartment due to separate utility bills and additional fees. Write up a contract of your own to set up your expectations of the renter in terms of cleanliness, house care, and additional rules. Once you have moved all your belongings out of the apartment, be sure take photos of all the rooms and living spaces before the subletter moves in. This ensures proof in the case of damages that occur during the subleasing time. You want to make sure to remove all valuables, mainly if your subleasing agreement includes furnished items.  

Lastly, before the subletter moves in, advise with your roommates, if any, about the subleasing changes. Have them meet up with the individual to establish a connection and possibly a roommate agreement. Most importantly, remember that while this individual may be your friend, establishing some house rules will help prevent any future complications for both your friendship and your lease.  

Subleasing can save you a good bit of money, especially if you are not going to be staying during summer. Resolving all the legal issues may take some planning, but it is worth it to save some money over the summer. It should not be an intimidating process because of all the confusing clauses that leases include. If you decide to sublease an apartment during the summer, it may mean no worries!

 

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