If you want to become a New Yorker, the first thing you need to do is to sublet an apartment in NYC. Now you might be wondering, is it legal to sublet an apartment in NYC? NYC moving company can provide you all the guidelines about subletting an apartment in New York City.
In NYC, the best option is to go for short-term rental apartments; you can call them sublets. A law about subletting came into effect in 2011, and lots of these sublets become illegal.
Everything You Need to Know About Sublets
There are different housing laws, and they can be difficult for a new person to understand. But after reading this guide, you will be in a position to answer how to sublet an apartment in NYC?
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Tenants Have Right to Sublet
Although tenants have the right to sublet, still, they need formal permission. You can send a letter to your landlord with the terms of the sublet, certified email, and information about your proposed subtenant. You can also provide other details of the arrangement if needed.
Your landlord can reject your request, but there should be a solid reason for it. For example, the subtenant is unemployed, has a criminal record, or has poor credit; all of these reasons or any of these can lead to rejection of your request. A landlord has 30 days to accept or reject your request.
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You Can’t Make a Profit by Subletting an Apartment
If you are going out of the country, you might want to get the apartment expenses by subletting them. You can do this, but your intention shouldn’t be to make a profit. If you provide them a fully furnished unit, you can charge 10% for it, but it’s an exception; you can’t do it in all cases. Some laws protect you from landlords; similarly, there are laws for subtenants to protect them from overcharging.
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You Can’t Turn an Apartment into Airbnb
If your apartment is less than four units, you can’t turn it into a vacation home. For subletting, the agreement should be for 30 days. If you violate the laws, it means you’ll have to pay a fine of $7500. If you want your unit to be available at Airbnb, you need to talk to your landlord, but it’s something different and can’t be considered as subletting.
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Ensure That You Can Handle Security Deposits
When you find a subtenant, the first thing you need to do is to request a security deposit. It will ensure that if they cause damage to property, they’ll be responsible for it. You can deposit this money into the bank. If you need to use this money, ensure that you keep track of the transactions.
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Word of Mouth and Promise Isn’t Enough
If you feel that a promise or handshake will be enough for agreement, then you are wrong. There should be proper paperwork to ensure that the subtenant will pay the monthly payments. For this, you can take the help of multiple apps.
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Be Aware of Scams
Indeed, Craigslist is an excellent option to get a place on the sublease. Ensure that you don’t pay massive security deposits. Many people make scams and can get your money. So, you need to know the market before giving them money. When you visit a building, it will give you the perfect idea of the place. More importantly, keep a record of what you pay and never pay money in cash.
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Landlord Has Right to Deny the Arrangement
The most common mistake that subtenants make is they think that the place they sublease will eventually become theirs. Remember, nothing is final until the subtenant gets written approval from the landlord. A landlord has the right to deny the arrangement request either unreasonably or reasonably.
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Use Highly Trusted Sources When Looking for Places
If you’re looking for a place to stay, you can start with Facebook and other social media platforms. In this way, you can make a friend who will help you avoid a scam. There are lots of other resources for finding a sublease or subtenant, such as Alumni networks interest-oriented. Try a closed group to find a trusted place.
If you’re still struggling, there are some other marketplaces like Flip to help tenants find subtenants. You can also find the filter of sublet on sites like RentHop.
After reading this guide, I hope it will be clear how to sublet an apartment in NYC? So, be aware of scams and find places on trusted platforms.
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