Those who wish to sublet should notify landlords. With the countless flyers pinned and taped inside of bathroom stalls and on bulletin boards, it is apparent that summer sublet season is in full bloom for UW-Madison students.
While the opportunity to rent an apartment for prices below the average rate can be appealing for prospective subletters, if those subletting their apartments fail to follow the proper procedures, their own security deposits and rental history can be compromised.
True subletting can be somewhat dangerous, especially if you don't know the person,\ said Mike Gaginella of APEX Property Management. ""People will be less concerned about the damages and cleaning and things, especially if their security deposit is not on the line.""
When looking to sublet an apartment, the first step the signed tenant must take is to inform their landlord.
""We need to know who's living in the apartment if they want to sublet,"" said Gaginella.
""We want them to go through the whole application process so we know who they are. Generally it's not too difficult to approve people.""
According to Alex George of the Tenant Resource Center, when a student sublets their place, the subletter is making a deal with the tenant, not the landlord.
""Because of this, we recommend that renters require any subletters to sign a contract with them stating what liability they have when subletting,"" George said. ""This way if anything does happen, the original tenant has proof and grounds to go to court.""
When done safely, the subletting process can have benefits, like reduced rent.
""I paid less than the person who I was subleasing from,"" said UW-Madison sophomore Andy Myszewski. ""I paid the building so much per month and she picked up whatever was left per month.""
Myszewski sublet a room in the Palisades Apartments, 535 W. Johnson St., where leasing agent and UW-Madison junior Becky Nitzky said the practice of discounting rent is common.
Discounted rent is often used as an incentive to find summer subletters, but some landlords find it can get complicated.
""A lot of people like to do a lot of deals and if it gets too complicated we don't get in the middle of it and try to referee it,"" Gaginella said.
However, he said APEX does attempt to make the process of subleasing as worry-free for all tenants as possible, sometimes releasing them from their lease for the summer after a subletter has signed up to live there.
""Then if there is damage, they can't be held liable for it,"" Gaginella said.
Myszewski, who followed the recommended subletting procedures, said he will sublet an apartment on Mifflin Street this summer.
""Summer in Madison is awesome,"" he said. ""[Subletting] is just a really good idea.""
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