Savvy Advisor: Sublet Etiquette

Every so often, I get questions for readers facing their own real estate quandaries: Did I overpay for my house? How do I find a renter if I need to move? And so on.

I’m always happy to help people navigate the complex real estate world, and from time to time I’ll be publishing these exchanges so everyone can benefit and contribute.

Today’s question is from a renter, but it could’ve been asked by a home owner who is renting out their home as a vacation rental or who is doing a home exchange.

If you have a real estate question that leaves you needing some savvy advice, just drop me a line.

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Dear Rebecca,

I live in LA but will be leaving town for the summer to teach. I love my apartment, so I’m going to sublet it while I’m gone. I’ve never done this before, so I’m wondering what’s okay to leave behind. Basically, what’s the ettiquette here (beyond removing everything you’d hate to have stolen, etc.)? Bookshelves full, closets empty?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

- G.

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Dear G.,

Glad to hear you’re taking the plunge and getting creative with your real estate. Letting your home work for you and create the life you want to live is what it’s all about!

When it comes to subletting, my rule of thumb is to create an environment in which your sublessee can live the way YOU want them to live. As in, if you don’t want them piling their books everywhere, then leave a shelf. If you don’t want them leaving food out, then clear space in the kitchen cabinet. If you don’t want them touching your grandmother’s antique vase, then put it away. It’s also a good idea to talk to them about how much space they’ll need, and what kind of stuff they’ll bring. Then you can accommodate them up front, rather than getting emails later asking if they can move around your stuff (or worse, not getting emails).

Some other thoughts:

• Personal and/or gross stuff should go (toiletries, sentimental objects in plain sight, etc)
• Inoffensive and out of the way stuff can stay (pictures on the wall, living necessities, etc)
• I try to clear significant closet, dresser drawer, and toiletry space (at least 50%)
• Bookshelves can stay full unless you’re subletting to a student who needs a place to keep books
• The place should be very clean and tidy when the sublessee arrives – it sets the standard for what they need to do when they leave

We’re focusing on your stuff, but I assume you’re also following the basics of savvy landlordship: collecting a sizeable deposit, writing down your sublessee’s contact information (including driver’s license ID), and signing a basic sublease agreement.

Good luck this summer, and let me know how it all works out!

- Rebecca

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