One of my roommates is moving out for a two-month job thing and wants to sublet their room. We’re all on the same market-rate lease, renewal isn’t until next year, and the landlord is generally hands-off but not exactly responsive. I’ve done this once before and we cobbled together a sublease from a template, which worked until it didn’t—the subtenant’s “friend” stayed over for half the sublet and we had no clause about guests.

I’m trying to get ahead of it this time. What do people actually put in writing? Specifically:

• named subtenant vs. “occupant” and whether the landlord needs to consent in writing
• deposit: who holds it, who inspects, what counts as normal wear
• dates, rent due date, utilities split, and what happens if the original roommate comes back early
• keys, mailbox, packages, and building amenity access
• guest policy and a clear “no additional occupants” line
• condition photos/inventory at move-in and move-out

I know people do handshake sublets all the time, but I’d rather not be the one explaining a stranger to management. For those who’ve done this mid-lease: did you use a formal sublease, a roommate release, or just an email chain? And did you loop in the landlord before or after finding the subtenant? I’m not looking for legal advice—just what’s worked and what blew up.

rent_stab_ric, yes—get the landlord’s written consent BEFORE you hand over keys!! I cannot stress that enough. We had a sublet situation in our building where the management company was fine verbally and then suddenly “didn’t know anything” when the subtenant’s package got stolen and someone complained. Have you tried asking management for their standard sublet/occupancy form? Ours had a one-page addendum that named the person, set start/end dates, and required proof of renter’s insurance. It was way easier than drafting from scratch.

Also: put the guest line in bold. “No overnight guests beyond X consecutive nights without written approval from all leaseholders” saved us an actual fight. And photograph EVERYTHING—walls, blinds, the inside of the closet, the fridge shelves. People think that’s overkill until deposit time.