Struggling to sublet your Tempe apartment before summer break? You’re likely worried about finding someone to take over your lease, making sure they get along with your current roommates, and how much it might cost.
At Rambler Tempe, we’ve guided hundreds of ASU students through the subletting process safely and successfully.
In this guide, you’ll learn seven steps to sublet (or relet) your apartment in Tempe.
What’s the Difference Between Subletting and Reletting?
Subletting means someone temporarily takes over your lease payments, but you remain legally and financially responsible for the lease’s terms. If the subletter leaves or fails to pay rent, the responsibility falls back on you.
Subletting is the more popular term for the process of giving up your lease, but most student housing apartments don’t allow subletting–only reletting.
At Rambler Tempe, we allow reletting. Reletting means transferring your lease entirely to someone else. The new tenant signs their own lease, and once they move in, you’re relieved of all obligations under the original contract. This ensures that if the reletter defaults or moves out, they bear the responsibility, not you.
Read Next: How to Relet an Apartment at Rambler Tempe
In this article, we’ll refer to the process as “subletting” for simplicity. However, whether you’re searching for someone to sublet or relet your space, the steps to find the right fit are largely the same, the main difference being the liability.
7 Steps for Finding Subletters in Tempe
Step 1: Confirm Your Apartment’s Subletting (or Reletting) Policy
Step one is crucial: confirm whether your apartment complex allows subletting.
Start by reviewing your lease or reaching out to your property’s leasing team to understand their specific subletting rules. Not all apartment communities in Tempe allow subletting, so if you anticipate needing this option for the summer, be sure to ask about the subletting policy before signing a lease.
Step 2: Talk to Your Roommates (Early!)
While it’s not mandatory to get your roommates’ approval before subletting, it’s thoughtful and considerate to discuss your plans with them ahead of time.
Having an open conversation early on helps you understand their living preferences, making it easier to find a subletter who’s a good fit for everyone in the apartment.
Step 3: Define What You’re Looking for in a Subletter
When searching for a subletter, it’s helpful to create a list of qualities you’re looking for in a potential tenant. Collaborating with your roommates can refine this list, ensuring you include must-haves that matter to everyone—especially since they’ll be the ones living with your subletter.
Before starting your search, list must-haves and nice-to-haves in a subletter. Collaborate with your roommates to ensure their preferences are included.
Here are some qualities to consider for a potential subletter:
- Do you want the subletter to be a college student?
- Do you want the subletter to be an ASU student?
- Should the subletter be an undergraduate student, or can they be a graduate student?
- Will you allow pets?
- Are your roommates night owls or early birds?
Step 4: Start Your Search with People You Know
The best way to find a reliable subletter who’s a good fit for your roommates is to start with someone you know. Reach out to your friend groups, Greek life chats or club group chats. These are great networks to find trustworthy candidates.
Many ASU students seek summer housing near campus for classes, research, or internships in Tempe. By starting your search early, you increase the chances of finding someone you already know who’s looking to sublease.
Finding a subletter shares similarities with finding a roommate. For more tips, check out our guide on finding a roommate in Tempe, Arizona!
Step 5: Use Social Media to Expand Your Reach
If you don’t personally know anyone looking to sublease, social media can be an excellent tool to connect with potential subletters. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or even ASU-specific forums and groups are great places to advertise your available apartment and find interested renters.
Some popular Facebook pages for ASU students looking to sublease include:
- ASU Tempe Subleases, Roommates, Housing & Apartments
- ASU Housing, Rooms, Apartments, Sublets
- ASU off Campus Housing, Looking Rentals & Roommate
Step 6: Vet Subletters Carefully Before You Commit
When evaluating potential subletters, prioritize trustworthy individuals with a proven history of responsibility.
If you’re fortunate enough to find a subletter through friends, a mutual friend or former roommate can vouch for their reliability.
If you’re subletting to someone you don’t know, take extra precautions by asking for one or two references, such as a previous landlord, to ensure they’ll be dependable.
Step 7: Understand the Risks of Subletting
Subletting comes with risks, particularly if you don’t know the subletter personally. Remember, you’re still responsible for any unpaid rent, property damage, or lease violations caused by your subletter.
To minimize risks, ask the subletter’s permission to run a background check if your apartment complex allows it. Many apartment complexes require or offer the option to run background checks on potential subletters, sometimes covering the cost themselves. Be sure to review your apartment’s policy on subletting.
If you choose to relet instead, the advantage is clear: once the new tenant takes over your lease, you’re no longer liable for any damages or issues related to the space.
Read Next: 8 Steps To Finding The Perfect Student Apartment Near ASU
With all of the stressors and decisions that college life brings, the last thing you want to worry about is how to find someone to sublet your apartment. With these steps, you should be confidently on your way to finding a sublease in no time. If you have additional questions on the subletting process, contact our team – we’re happy to help!
