For those unfamiliar with subletting, God bless you. This common form of accommodation in New York and other big cities is like living without paying a small fortune in rent and utilities, but also without privacy, security, or the stability of furniture and unpacked suitcases.
It’s a feeling I myself am quite familiar with, having lived at seven different addresses in my two years in New York, with the first six coming in year one. To spare you the math, that’s an average of a different zip code every two months, so I certainly know If for any reason you find yourself in the market for a sublet, it can be an intimidating process–particularly in NYC. It can often contradict even our understanding of and attentiveness to basic human needs. But for those that look at subletting like just another form of paying one’s dues before moving on to bigger and better, a sublet can be an exciting and positive experience, so long as you follow the following simple tips:
Don’t sign anything
There’s no reason to get legal or official in short-term situations with people you don’t know. Some sub-leasers may request you sign something for them, or co-sign a lease with the building, but this is not the norm and could lead you into sticky situations you simply don’t need when you’re going to start the apartment hunt all over again in 6 weeks. You will have plenty more options where all you need is a check, so take advantage of them.
Know which neighborhood you’re actually in
Online classifieds are full of hustlers and subletting is an easy hustle. If you’re not prepared, you can move into to a loft in what you’re told is “Williamsburg,” Brooklyn, and three days later find yourself living literally across the street from a notorious housing projects. This was my experience. And it wouldn’t have been too hard to educate myself either: the Flushing Avenue G Train stop exit rises above ground in front of a colossal “Marcy Houses” sign. It just goes to show that if you get lazy or overconfident in your search, it will catch up with you quickly!
Know the commute
For most non-New Yorkers, morning and evening work traffic can be draining enough as it is in your own car. But compound the frustration of delays and congestion with train transfers, skipped stops, sweltering underground platforms, and the invasion of your own body’s personal space every day, and it’s easily enough to overpay for a three- to six-month apartment close to your office.
The fact is, while you can more or less control a vehicle you own, you have no control over the trains or weather–all you can do is try to limit your exposure to both as much as possible. Thus it is critical wherever you can to find an apartment that is not only close to a train stop, but close to one that will take you as directly as possible to your most-frequent destination.
A quick complimentary Top 5 of the best subway trains of NYC, based on cleanliness/newness of cars, schedule/route consistency, homeless presence, quality and safety of stations, comfort, crowding, convenience, and views (where applicable):
1. E
2. L
3. A
4. C
5. F
Vibe your new roommate
If you aren’t great at reading people, bring along your swami friend because making your ten or fifteen minutes with this potential roomy-slash-landlord as revealing as possible is essential. All the hassle of finding a place, obtaining it, and moving in is exponentially maximized when you’re also leaving another place early, fighting to get back your security deposit, and walking on egg shells around a stranger that’s now pissed off at you. I can say that much from experience. From two experiences, actually.
If you go in approaching this person like they’re a broker and you’re a client, for all you know you could be moving in with a guy who makes bear jerky in the kitchen each morning. Network, make friends with this person, because you will be sharing what in most cities will be a small space, and this isn’t a college dorm–these people have not been screened and are not monitored for abnormal behavior. More often than not, you will know within the first five minutes of meeting where this person falls on the gradient of cult leader to new best friend getting drinks with you after work on the regular. It’s really that potent and immediate.
Know what term is right for you
If money is not the issue, but time is–perhaps you’ve taken a job on short-notice, lost a roommate or significant other, or otherwise had to urgently leave your previous apartment–a short one- to three-month sublet or a month-to-month might not be a bad idea. This of course is also ideal if your lack of time and options have forced you into a less desirable area, far from work and/or close to violent crime. Remember, though, that the shorter the sublet is, the quicker you will need to begin looking again, (usually a maximum of 5 weeks prior to lease end and a minimum of ten days).
If you’re physically or financially exhausted by moving, or find yourself in a living situation with good location, amenities, and a roommate who immediately comes off a s nice, friendly, respectful and trustworthy, lock it down. If the offer is only for a short-term lease, demonstrate that you are a good person and tenant, and push for an extension or month-to-month at lease end.
The long-term sublet option is also a common pick for folks in the big city that can’t meet the minimum income requirements for an apartment lease, but crave the stability of one.
Be ready to negotiate and get aggressive
Subletting is an extremely competitive game, particularly in “peak seasons” when the weather is warmer. You would be wise to understand the true demand of the area and apartment you’re checking out with some quick Google research; be sure to ask your sub-leaser/future roommate how many people have been shown the place, when a final decision will be made, and what their experience has been living there.
As someone who was navigating subletting as a couple–with my girlfriend and I dealing with the insecurities and misconceptions of young, single Manhattanites–we quickly found that our situation cut out sublet options by 75%, and extended our average search duration by 3 or 4 times. The only way to remedy this was to accept our disadvantage and get competitive: typically we’d offer up to $200 more in rent per month, and this was enough to help our sub-leaser get over any discomfort. Carefully consider your own pros and cons as a potential tenant and adjust what you must to get the place you deserve.
Don’t be a sucker: hand over the check when they hand over the keys
No exceptions. This is New York, and you have to take all precautions to protect yourself. Be sure to make the swap in person, and then immediately try the key in the door to make sure it works.
Know what you want and stick to it
Know exactly what you want from your place. For better or worse, my “bottom line must-haves” over the course of six sublets evolved from “elevator” to “doorman, gym, ultra-modern style, within six blocks of train,” but perhaps that is to be expected with experience and a little bit more disposable income.
The wild thing is, though–and it took way too long for me to accept–that once you set your bottom line must-haves, you will have them. It may come down to the wire, you may worry about money, you may become convinced that there just isn’t that type of selection available out there at the moment. But once you commit, the right place will find you, and any extra bit of change it takes to lock it down will be worth it and easily reconciled in your monthly budget. Trust when I say that if it applies anywhere, the notion of “compromising on your quality of life is lying to yourself” applies to subletting.
