How do you ensure a subletter doesn't reneg on a signed sublease agreement?

Submitted by Lt_muckety_muck t3_1240t1x in boston

I'm planning to sublet my room in my apartment from 7/1-8/31 this summer. I've met with a few potential subletters, but overall my experience is that people are very squirrely. They often don't show up to appointments (or show an hour late). They come up with new demands on the spot, or reveal weird things about themselves. FWIW, this is a $900 spot in Allston/Brighton, so not exactly a luxury apartment.

Obviously I'll do my best to choose someone who seems honest and reliable. I'll also have them sign a sublease agreement, but what can I do to ensure they hold up their end of the contract? Would it be unreasonable to ask for an initial deposit to secure the apartment? Something like $300 just so I know people are serious.

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samaritanBureaucrat t1_jdxsbxs wrote

I’ve been asked to put down first month’s rent as a deposit for a sublet before, just FWIW

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Lt_muckety_muck OP t1_jdxwvmv wrote

I think I just need something that cements the deal and ensures the person is able to pay rent. I'd be fine with $300 or something. It's two months. Not trying to make it a huge deal, but people have a tendency to just bolt, especially if all they did was show up and sign a piece of paper. A deposit feels like a far greater commitment.

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Icy-Neck-2422 t1_jdxkrzn wrote

Honestly, for that short a timeframe and that little money I'd think a sublet wouldn't be worth the risk of a squirrely stranger for two months.

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Lt_muckety_muck OP t1_jdxq6a9 wrote

I'm not in a position where I can just throw away $1800. Still in school, and for a long time (med school). Biggest risk to me is they don't show up as I'm moving to another apartment July 1st.

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1234seventeen5678 t1_jdy6ebg wrote

Lower the overall price if they pay full upfront? And/or require first month right away if not

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aray25 t1_jdyh136 wrote

It is illegal for a landlord or sublessor to accept full payment in advance in Massachusetts, even if the tenant or sublessee offers.

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Absurd_nate t1_jdyv3to wrote

Massachusetts also allows requiring first and last month, which would be full in this case. I don’t think the full payment would be an issue given the length of the lease.

Legally I’m pretty sure you could argue a cheaper “pay in full” just by calling it a 2 month sublet with first and last required, and the more expensive option just called a month to month rental, but I’m not a lawyer.

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aray25 t1_jdztlvj wrote

You're right, I'd missed that this was only a two-month sublet. Accepting full payment as "first and last" should be legal, but there are a bunch of rules around the collection of last month prepayment that OP probably doesn't want to deal with.

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Lt_muckety_muck OP t1_jdyriou wrote

Good info, thank you. Though I know this happens all over Boston.

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mtmsm t1_je0jycw wrote

I paid a deposit when I subleased in Boston. Not sure about the legality, but it seemed reasonable to me at the time. It was a few hundred as you’re suggesting.

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