Sometimes, an individual needs a place to live, but doesn’t want to rent directly from a landlord or cannot afford a suitable place on his own. In such a case, he may rent from a tenant of a rental property rather than a landlord, which is called subletting. If a person decides to pursue this type of rental situation, he often follows the same procedures he would to rent directly from a landlord. For example, he’ll typically look for a rental in a safe, convenient area that appears to be comfortable and offers a rental price he can afford. In the case of room subletting, however, a person may also have roommates to deal with, and he’ll typically want to make sure he has a good chance of getting along well with them as well.
When a person is looking for the best room sublet, his first step may be searching for rooms to rent in areas that are safe and convenient to places he has to go frequently. For example, he may look for a room sublet close to his job or college. He may also look for one close to public transportation or major highways if such things are an issue. Additionally, a person in the market for a room sublet may spend some time researching crime rates in the area to be sure that he’ll be safe in his new neighborhood.
Just like regular rentals, room sublets are often listed in newspaper classified sections and online. There are even some online databases that are intended specifically for those who want to find room sublets. Sometimes, these rental arrangements are advertised through fliers, especially on library, college, and grocery store bulletin boards. An individual may also learn of available room sublets by letting his friends know he’s in the market for one and asking for a referral.
Once a person finds an available room sublet, he’ll typically need to arrange a time to go and see the offered space. When he gets there, he may do well to not only take a look at the room that is available, but also the other areas of the house or apartment. For example, if he will have to share a bathroom, he may do well to see how big it is and whether or not the current residents are keeping it reasonably clean. The same goes for other common areas that he may be allowed to use, such as the kitchen or living room. If he will not have access to these areas, he should carefully consider how that will impact his life before making the decision to rent the room.
Roommates can be a big part of the decision making when choosing a room sublet. An individual in this position may do well to meet his prospective roommates and determine whether he thinks living with them will be comfortable. For example, a person who likes a lot of solitude may not feel as comfortable with roommates who are hoping to develop close friendships with everyone in the residence. Likewise, a person who likes to go to sleep early or prefers a good deal of quiet may not get along well with a fun-loving, party–all-the-time type of roommate.
When a person has found a room sublet that suits his needs and his price range, he may then have to fill out an application and submit to a credit check. In some cases, however, original renters are more casual and may not require prospective sublettors to go through such procedures. In such a case, it’s still important to get the details of the agreement in writing and signed. This is important for proving the terms of the agreement in the event that something goes wrong later.
