Subleasing: Pros And Cons For Landlords

Collateral Benefits

When it comes to subletting as a landlord, there are definitely some beneficial aspects to such a leasing arrangement. A lot of these benefits aren’t direct, they’re collateral. However, as with anything, true hazards exist. If you’re going to allow this form of leasing on your properties, you need to be aware of the possible positives and negatives involved; we’ll cover some here.

Benefits Of Subleasing

When you’re allowing tenants to sublet the properties you’re leasing, then you’ve got a greater chance they’ll make rent on a regular basis. Imagine this scenario: one person, living alone, who is responsible for $1,500 a month before utilities, or three people living in that same space dividing up the same sum.

While $1,500 is a fairly modest amount, it’s also quite hefty for some. But if you’re living on $2k a month, $500 is pretty affordable. So in the subletting scenario, there’s a greater likelihood you’ll get rent returned to you on time every month. Additionally, you’ve got more “hands” in the unit, and you can use their collective skill to reduce maintenance costs.

For example, if they’re short of rent, you can round up all three tenants and have them help you fix something in the larger building you lease as a means of substituting their rent. With one person, it’s harder to get the same level of value. Additionally, you’ll be able to sustain regular income on a monthly basis for a longer period of time through subletting.

It will also be harder for thieves to take advantage as there will almost always be someone in the unit, repair issues will be made evident quicker, keeping property value maintained longer, and when increases in rent transpire owing to the market, it’s less difficult to raise the rent when subletting is going on. To help inform your opinion, check out this handy landlord’s subletting guide.

Considerable Downsides That Come With Subleasing

Those who sublet from your tenants aren’t always vetted by you before the subletting situation begins. Oftentimes things happen innocently enough, but especially as regards drug use and the like, there are some considerably disturbing possibilities that could spell serious trouble for your unit, and the tenant therein.

Sometimes legally, there’s a limit to subletting as well, and you could get yourself in trouble with the law should you allow this situation to begin without checking into local restrictions. Furthermore, subletting tenants don’t have any signed agreement with you, so they’re not liable for any damages they make in a legal sense. Check out this list of state subletting laws by state to figure out what your local situation is.