Whether it’s for studying abroad, internships in other cities, or a summer break at home, Georgia Tech students often explore subletting or reletting options for their apartments during the summer months.
The Rambler Atlanta leasing team has helped hundreds of students find housing, and we know that subletting can be tough. Although Rambler Atlanta has a 12-month lease requirement, you can relet your unit if needed to fulfill this requirement.
To make subletting your Midtown apartment easier, here are our seven top tips.
Subletting vs. Reletting
Subletting means finding someone to take over your lease payments for a certain period of time. But even though you’re subletting, you’re still legally and financially responsible for the lease. If the subletter moves out or stops paying rent, you’re still on the hook.
This is why, at Rambler Atlanta, we offer the option to relet your apartment. Reletting means finding someone to take over your entire lease contract. They sign their own lease, and once they move into the unit, you are no longer obligated to your original contract. This way, if the reletter moves out or stops paying rent, they are responsible for the lease, not you.
In this article, we’ll use the term “subletting” for simplicity, but keep in mind that whether you’re looking for someone to sublet or relet your space, the process of finding a good fit is very similar. The only difference is liability.
7 Tips for Finding Subletters in Midtown
1. Check if subletting is permitted for your property
Representative rendering of bedrooms at Rambler Atlanta.
Step one is crucial: find out if your apartment complex allows subletting.
You should check your lease or contact your property’s leasing team for the specific subletting rules.
Not every Midtown apartment complex allows subletting, so if you know you’ll need to sublet your apartment during the summer, be sure to ask each property about their subletting policy before signing a lease.
2. Consult with your roommates
Although it’s not required to get your roommates’ approval for subletting, it’s considerate to discuss your plans with them beforehand.
Talk to your friends early on to learn about their living preferences so you can find a subletter who is a good fit for everyone.
3. Consider what qualities you want in a subletter
When searching for your subletter, it’s important to make a list of qualities you’re looking for. Talking with your roommates can also help you make a list of must-haves, since they’ll be the ones living with your subletter.
Before you start looking for a subletter, make a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves. Talk to your roommates too, since they’ll be the ones living with your subletter.
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 a Georgia Tech 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?
4. Get the word out
The best way to find a subletter who will be reliable and a good fit for your roommates is to ask someone you know.
Ask friend groups, greek life group chats, club group chats– find people you know well and can trust. Many Georgia Tech students are looking for summer housing near campus for classes, research, or internships in Atlanta, so if you start your search early, several people you know will be looking for a place to sublease in Midtown.
Reach out to your friends, Greek life groups, and club groups to find someone you know and trust who is looking for summer housing in Midtown. Many Georgia Tech students need summer housing for classes, research, or internships in Atlanta, so if you start your search early, several people you know will likely be interested in subletting your apartment.
Finding a subletter is similar to finding a roommate, so check out our guide on how to find a roommate in Midtown Atlanta for more tips.
5. Leverage social media
If you don’t know anyone who’s looking to sublease, social media is a great place to find subletters.
You can utilize campus-wide GroupMe chats, Facebook pages, and Instagram posts to seek out potential subletters.
Some popular facebook pages for Georgia Tech students looking to sublease include:
- Georgia Tech (GT) Subleases, Roommates, Housing & Apartments – Atlanta Public Group | Facebook
- Georgia Tech (GT) Subleases, Roommates, Housing & Apartments – Atlanta | Facebook
- Find a place- Sublease a place near Georgia Tech campus (Midtown-HomePark) | Facebook
6. Request references
When evaluating potential subletters for your apartment, choose trustworthy individuals who have a history of responsibility.
If you’re lucky enough to find a subletter through your friends, a mutual friend or ex-roommate can vouch for them to ensure they’ll be reliable.
If you must sublet to someone you don’t know, ask for one or two references, including a previous landlord.
7. Consider the risks of subletting
It’s important to weigh the risks of subletting, especially if you don’t know the subletter beforehand. You are responsible for any unpaid rent, property damage, or violations of the lease agreement caused by your subletter.
To reduce the risk of your subletter causing problems, you may want to ask their permission to run a background check. Many apartment complexes require you to run a background check on potential subletters or cover the costs to run one, so be sure to check your apartment’s policy.
The advantage of reletting is that once they take over your lease, you are no longer responsible for any damages to the space.
Read Next: 8 Steps To Find a Student Apartment Near Georgia Tech
To ensure a smooth subletting process, follow all of the steps above. If you have any questions or want to learn more about Rambler Atlanta, please contact our leasing staff.
