How to Sublet Your Room or House

How to Sublet Your Room or Rental House

Subletting your apartment or room in your rental house is OK with University Places.  The agreement is between you, your roommates and your sublettor so choose carefully!

Sublet Definitions

Sublettor: Current tenant wishing to sublet his house or apartment.
Sublessee: The temporary renter subletting from the sublettor.

Below is a link to the UM Student Legal Services, topic: subletting.

https://studentlegalservices.umich.edu/article/tips-subletting

THIS IS IMPORTANT!!

  • You are responsible for any damages your sublessee may incur, plus all the rent.
  • University-Places manager needs to have the name and contact information of your sublessee.  You can use the form below or the one on the UM Student Legal Service page, link above.
  • The agreement is between you and the Sublessee.
  • You should consider requesting a security deposit from your Sublessee.
  • You should provide the Right And Duties of a Tennant to your Sublessee.

These Links go to PDF files

Guidelines for Subletting.pdf  – Older document from the University of Michigan

Sub-Lease Agreement   – found this on the web somewhere– at another college website.  I’m not claiming ownership. Use this sublet document between sublettor and sublessee.

Roommate Agreement

It is highly recommended you have a roommate agreement.  You can search this term to find out more or read this summary from a search on the topic here:

A tenant-to-tenant agreement, often called a roommate agreement, is a legally binding contract between co-tenants that outlines shared responsibilities, such as rent payments, utilities, security deposits, and house rules, to protect against disputes. It is distinct from the primary lease signed with the landlord, ensuring each participant understands their specific obligations.

Key Components of a Tenant-Tenant Agreement:
  • Rent and Utilities: Explicitly state the amount each tenant pays and deadlines, notes a sample Co-Tenant Agreement.
  • Security Deposit: Breakdown of who paid what portion of the deposit and how damages will be handled individually.
  • Shared Costs: Agreements on shared expenses like internet, streaming services, and household supplies.
  • House Rules: Policies on guests, noise, pets, and cleaning schedules.
  • Subletting: Guidelines for how a tenant can be replaced if they leave before the lease ends.
Steps to Create a Valid Agreement:
  1. Review the Master Lease: Ensure your agreement does not contradict the main lease with the landlord.
  2. Define Roles and Payments: Clearly state the responsibilities for rent and utility payments, according to a Sample Rental Agreement.
  3. Use Templates: Use resources such as LawDepot’s roommate agreement or eForms’ templates to draft the document, suggests LawDepot and eForms.
  4. Sign and Date: Ensure all tenants sign the document.
What to Include in Michigan:
It is highly recommended to have a written agreement rather than a verbal one to provide clear evidence in case of a dispute.