Although the spring semester has only recently begun, students are already beginning to make plans for next summer. And for those who have houses or apartments and do not plan to stay on campus for the summer, subletting has become a concern. Before deciding whether to sublet an apartment, the tenant must first make sure the contract is allowed under the terms of the lease, according to Assistant Director of Off-Campus Living Mihaela Farcas. A landlord will often allow subletting with written permission but may also request a small fee, she added. Those interested in subletting need to be aware that they are ultimately responsible to the landlord, and should therefore discuss terms of the agreement with the prospective tenant ahead of time, Farcas said. She added that utilities are usually of greatest concern. "How you handle the utilities is a very serious issue and should be discussed," Farcas explained."The best thing to do is close all accounts and have the [tenant] open his or her own accounts." The sub-letter should also inspect the property and obtain a security deposit from the summer tenant beforehand, Farcas said. She noted that there are many more people willing to sublet their apartments than people wanting to rent. "A tenant can expect to lose 25-30 percent or more of the rent in order to gain a sublet," she added. For some, however, having a sub-let can pose more trouble than it's worth. "If it works out, it can save you some money," said College sophomore Ivy Wong, who sublet her house last summer. "But it can also be a lot of trouble. "I scrubbed my room and kitchen for a week straight when I got back before it was clean," she said. "If I had to do it over again I wouldn't have sublet." Therefore, the key to successfully subletting an apartment or house lies in getting the right tenants and clarifying all possible areas of concern ahead of time. It may even be necessary to put some things in writing, Farcas said. "Find people you know and trust," said Wharton sophomore Erik Mayo. "And get them to put things like electricity and gas in their own name." Those interested in subletting or renting should plan as soon as possible in order to ensure the needs of both the tenant and the subletter.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
