If you live in California, especially in one of the big cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco, subletting your apartment can be a good way to handle your money and living space. But California isn’t the friendliest state for tenants when it comes to subletting, so it’s important to know the exact rules and steps that need to be taken. Taking into account the specifics of subletting in the Golden State, this detailed guide will walk you through the whole process.
Subletting Laws in California
Before you start the steps, it’s important to know how subletting works legally in California. There are important parts of the lease deal that say if subletting is allowed or not. If your lease says that sublets are not allowed, that rule stays in place. Most leases, though, say that renters need written permission from their landlords before they can sublet. Here are some important things to think about:
Read the Lease Carefully
First, read your lease deal very carefully. Find a section that says something like “assignments and sublets.” This part will talk about the rules and standards for subletting. Pay close attention to any rules or limits that your lease lists.
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Obtain Pre-Approval to Sublet
Get in touch with your owner to ask for permission to sublet. In most leases, subletting is okay as long as the owner gives written permission. Tell your landlord that you want to find a suitable subtenant who meets their approval requirements, even if you don’t have a specific person in mind yet. Find out if there are any special needs or wants you should know about.
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Find a Subletter
Finding the right subtenant is very important for a lease to go well. In California, the main thing that is usually looked at is how much money the person has. To make your case stronger, look for a subtenant whose financial situation is a lot like yours. In the ads for your offering, make it clear that you want to rent to someone with a similar credit score and income.
Written Request for Approval
Once you’ve found a possible subtenant and talked to your landlord, you need to send an official written request for permission. An email is usually enough for this, but sending something certified mail can be used as proof in case there are any problems. The following information should be in your request:
- The term (start and end dates) of the sublease.
- The name of the proposed subtenant.
- The proposed subtenant’s application, including their financial details.
- The permanent home address of the proposed subtenant.
- Your reason for subletting or leaving permanently.
- Your new address during the sublease if applicable.
- Written consent from any co-tenants.
- A copy of the proposed sublease.
Collect and Store Security Deposit and Rent
Get a security fee and/or the first month’s rent from your subtenant to protect yourself against lost rent and damage. Set up an easy way for the subtenant to pay the rent every month, preferably by setting up regular payments. Make sure you can quickly send these payments to your owner.
Enjoy Your Freedom
You can go ahead with your plans now that your lease is set up, whether you want to move up, travel, or make a change. You can return if you need to because subletting gives you freedom without long-term responsibilities.
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