How to Find a Sublease: 10 Websites for Apartment Sublets
If you've got a summer internship, a temporary work assignment, or you’re trying out a city you’re contemplating moving to, sometimes finding a sublease or short-term rental is your best option. It saves you the hassle of signing and breaking a long-term lease or convincing potential roommates to crash on their couch. Conversely, if you want to jet off and fill your space, finding a sublet is a great way to do it.
However, learning how to find subleases near you isn't the easiest task. So, here is a quick guide on where and how to find subleases through reliable apartment websites.
10 Best Websites for Apartment Subleasing
1. Sublet.com
Utilizing Sublet.com’s background reports and real estate contracts, owners and leaseholders with rentals available for rent post their rental listings with detailed descriptions and photographs to ultimately sublease apartments.
If you’re looking for sublets for rent, you can utilize the proprietary search engine to explore the Sublet.com database of available sublet rentals. Additionally, prospective renters can store their rentals on their personal page on Sublet.com and contact owners and leaseholders directly through the site.
2. LeaseBreak.com
LeaseBreak.com is a website connecting renters with short-term sublets. It's easy and free to find a short-term rental, room for rent, or college sublet on LeaseBreak.com.
Start by conducting your search as you would any other real estate website. Once you find a property that interests you, register and verify your account. Then, press “contact me” and send the "lister" an email. Using these types of sublease websites, you’ll be well on your way to finding summer sublets readily available throughout New York City.
3. Apartment List
If you're open to any form of short term rental, you can use Apartment List to find leases of any length (between 1-24 months). When you take our quiz to get matched by location and price point, you can also select your lease length.
After you've created a profile, you can change your desired lease length anytime by visiting your profile settings.
4. Airbnb
Vacation rentals as short-term leases may be your best bet for finding summer accommodations. These properties are designated for short-term leases. Therefore, the landlord will not be surprised when you tell them you plan to stay for only a few months.
Airbnb has become a prominent name in vacation rentals. Not only does Airbnb help you find your next home away from home for your next spring break, but it also has a catalog of sublet apartments. So, if you’re looking for a summer sublet, don’t overlook Airbnb as a sublease website.
5. VRBO
Tried and tested, VRBO, which stands for Vacation Rental By Owner, has been around since 1996. The site has over 2 million homes and apartments listed, so you’ll be sure to find something available.
Like Airbnb, VRBO is not always immediately thought of amongst subletting websites. Still, if you want to find a sublet, VRBO may be one of the best sublet websites out there.
6. Timeshare-Resale-Rental.com
Can't find a sublease? If you know that you will need a place to stay in the same city for several months at a time regularly, try Timeshare-Resale-Rental.com.
You can sign a recurring lease in apartments that allow subleasing and not worry about finding a place in a spot you frequent ever again. Just note that you might have to withstand some pushy sales approaches, but in the end, it might be all worth it.
7. FlipKey
With more than 830,000 properties in 190 countries, FlipKey is part of Tripadvisor Rentals, a leading vacation rental marketplace. You’ll find the perfect summer apartment and other subleasing apartments with FlipKey, whether you’re looking for a sprawling beachside spot or a city-center studio.
8. RentCollegePads.com
If you're a student looking to find a place near your school, you can try RentCollegePads.com. Their website allows you to search by campus and even provides helpful information like walking distance and per person/per unit pricing.
The site also allows you to post your own profile so that people who are looking for a roommate or sublease can reach out to you directly. You simply upload your picture and share a little bit about yourself and what kind of living arrangements you're looking for.
9. Facebook
Facebook is one of the world's biggest social media platforms, making it one of the best places to start your sublet search. The upside of using social media to inquire about short-term sublets is that you can do some sleuthing before committing to an agreement.
Facebook offers a few different ways to go about figuring out where to find sublets:
Marketplace: Facebook Marketplace is an online marketplace hosted on the Facebook platform. Generally, users list items or services, though you can also find sublets.
Groups: You can find sublets in specific sublet groups based on your location. For example, NYC Sublets Group on Facebook is a great place to rent sublets.
Postings: Let people know you are looking for a short or long-term sublet. A friend might bring the perfect opportunity to your comments section or help you find a sublease.*
10. Anyplace
Anyplace is a listing website that helps connect professionals with housing options. They assist you in finding fully furnished units with high-speed internet and workspaces. They also offer the option to post subleases as well as information about finding subleases.
The units they list are great for singles or couples looking to move quickly with minimal fuss to a space that supports them professionally.
How to Spot Subleasing Scams
Be mindful of subleasing scams, especially on social media. Use the following tips to protect yourself:
- Never exchange money if you don't have all the details.
- Never meet in a private location for the first time.
- Avoid ads without photos.
- Use Google's reverse image search to help you weed out scammers using previously listed photos. Subletters should be posting updated photos of the apartment.
Tips for Subleasing
We wrote a full guide on subleasing, so check it out if you're interested. But here are some quick tips to get you started if you're thinking about finding someone to sublease your place:
- Make Sure You Are Allowed to Sublet: Check your lease and look for any sections referencing subletting. It may be forbidden altogether or allowed with pre-approval under certain circumstances. If your lease doesn't contain any information about subletting, reach out to your landlord for clarification. Some local laws also restrict how much you can charge for a sublease, especially in rent-controlled markets.
- Check-In With Your Renter’s Insurance Company: Your renter's insurance may stipulate whether you are covered for damage caused by a sublet. If you're not, you can request the sublet to carry their own insurance. Otherwise, you could be liable for any damage caused during your sublease agreement.
- Create a Sublease Agreement: Don't agree to a sublet renting on a handshake, or you could leave yourself open to paying for the damage and taking over unpaid rent. Instead, draft a sublease agreement, which is a legal document allowing a tenant to transfer lease ownership to a third party.
- Post Your Sublet and Market It: Subletting apartments in competitive markets, like New York or San Francisco, aren't hard to find. Start by asking your personal network if they know if someone is looking to take over a lease. Otherwise, post your sublet and market it through apartment rental sites, social media, or even college student newspapers.
- Determine if You Need a Security Deposit: If your landlord permits you to sublet your apartment, they will probably require a security deposit directly from the new subtenant. But if you're handling the sublet yourself, you still need a deposit to cover any potential damage or non-payment of rent.
- Consider Your Current Roommates: Keep your current roommates in the loop about your short-term sublet plans, as they may want someone they know to take over the lease or be part of the search for a new renter. Otherwise, they could resent your decision and create tension in the apartment.
- Plan for Utility Bills: Settle on a plan for who takes over utility bills. The new subletter may need to open utility accounts and take over everything to assume financial responsibility. But if you're moving back in after a few months, it may be easier to plan and ask your sublet to pay the bills on your behalf.
- Screen & Interview Potential Subtenants: Potential sublets are often required to go through a screening process, though your landlord may take care of the process themselves. Otherwise, interview the subtenant yourself, hire a third party to run a credit check, ask for references, and confirm their employment.
Subleases Near You: Final Thoughts
With time and money at stake, it is in the landlord’s best interest to maintain long-term tenants. When it comes to short-term leases, there is a big chance that your rental rate will be higher.
If you’re a student or are looking to move to a college town over the summer, things might be a bit easier for you, as many students return home and sublet their college apartments. Thankfully, you can check out the websites listed in this article to find short-term sublets in your area.
Finding a Sublease FAQs
Are Airbnbs sublets?
Airbnbs have subleases on their site, though they are not always sublets. Subleases are arranged between a tenant and another prospective tenant who agrees to take over the lease, often for a short period of time. Local laws regulate how subleases work on short term rental sites, and you always need your landlord's permission to take on a sublet, so be sure to do your research before listing your own place on a site like Airbnb.
What Is the 90-Day Rule on Airbnb?
Airbnb hosts cannot rent their homes out for more than 90 nights per year, whether rentals happen consecutively or spread out across the full year. Keep that in mind if you're looking for a short term rental through Airbnb.
What Are the Rules Around Subletting?
The rules of subleasing agreements are determined by the original lease as well as state and local law. Not all leases or areas allow subleasing. Before you start looking for a sublet, make sure to check your lease and discuss subleasing options with your landlord.
What Is an Illegal Sublease?
A sublease that is arranged without the permission of a landlord or that is in violation of the original lease agreement or local law could land you in legal trouble. You could risk getting evicted or even end up owing your landlord damages. Make sure you are in touch with your landlord about your plans to sublease, and make sure you understand what your lease agreement does and does not allow.
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