Life in the Land of 10,000 Lakes doesn’t always go to plan, which is why it’s important to know if you can sublet your apartment at a moment’s notice. Nobody wants to pay rent on an apartment they’re not occupying.

Subletting laws can be complicated and confusing, which is why

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Jerry

has put together a complete guide to subletting in Minneapolis: when you can sublet when you can’t sublet, and how exactly subletting works.

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Is subletting legal in Minneapolis?

Yes, subletting an apartment in Minneapolis is legal. Minnesota law doesn’t prohibit subletting, but the contractually agreed-upon terms in your lease may prevent you from pursuing a sublease.

Read your lease’s fine print before deciding whether or not a sublet is right for you. If the lease prohibits subletting, there’s not much you can do—an unapproved sublet would immediately give your landlord grounds to evict you.

If your lease does not ban subletting, most landlords will require a simple subletter approval process.

Can my landlord reject my sublet tenant?

Technically a landlord can reject your proposed sublet tenant—but only if there is proof that the tenant would put the landlord’s business at risk. If, for example, there is no evidence to support a potential sublet tenant’s ability to pay rent, a landlord can reasonably reject your proposed tenant.

As long as you’re able to find a subletter with the same income and credit score as you, your landlord will have almost no grounds to refuse the tenant.

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How to sublet an apartment in Minnesota

Subletting an apartment might appear intimidating if you’ve never done it before, but it’s quite straightforward. Here are a few basics to get you started.

Get the okay from your landlord

First, get your landlord’s permission to sublet your apartment. Do this at least two weeks before you leave the apartment yourself.

Be transparent and forthright about the reason that you want to sublet your apartment, and ask if your landlord has any specific restrictions requirements that you and your tenant will need to follow. Be as professional as possible. Your landlord must leave the exchange confident in your ability to find a reliable subtenant.

Find a subtenant

Once you’ve got your landlord’s blessing, it’s time to find a tenant. You might have a friend in mind already, in which case you can skip to the next step.

If you don’t yet have a subtenant lined up, it’s time to post your listing on websites like:

Craigslist

Facebook Marketplace

Anyplace.com

Sublet.com

Income and credit score are the most important factors when finding a subletter, but the length of the sublet is another key piece of information.

Screen applicants’ background and income

In a rental market as competitive as the Twin Cities, you’re likely to attract a robust applicant pool. You can screen out potential tenants whose credit score or income is lower than yours right away—if they’re less financially capable than you, your landlord may reject them.

For everyone else, make sure to request official income documentation, like a pay stub.

Don’t forget, you need to find a trustworthy person because you will be legally and financially responsible for the subtenant.

Create a sublease agreement and request approval in writing

Once you’ve found your ideal tenant, write up a contract that outlines:

The amount of rent they will pay you every month

A detailed and specific process for payment

Consequences and protocol for nonpayment

The beginning and end dates of the sublet

Once you and the subtenant have both signed the agreement, send all relevant documentation (sublease, applicant’s paperwork) as well as a written request for approval to your landlord.

The request should also include your reason for subletting.

Continue paying rent

Once your sublease is successfully up and running, it’s critical to remember that you are still responsible for paying your rent.

The difference is that you’re now receiving all or part of your rent from your tenant, but you’re still on the hook for the full amount. So if your tenant misses a payment, or only makes a fractional payment, you will need to come up with the rest of the money yourself.

Key Takeaway If you document everything clearly at every step of the way, you’ll be prepared for any surprises.

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How to find the best renters insurance

How to save on renters insurance in Minneapolis

When you sublet an apartment, it’s critical to have

renters insurance

to protect yourself from financial loss or legal complications. Car insurance super app

Jerry

can help you save money on renters insurance by bundling it with an

auto policy

Compared to the often challenging and complex process of finding a subletter, using the Jerry app is as simple as it gets. Just download the app and let Jerry do the rest. They’ll find quotes from all the top-rated insurance companies for the policy that best fits your needs.

If you live in Minneapolis, you definitely need Jerry. Jerry’s users save an average of $887 a year on car insurance alone! Review all the incredible deals in the app before choosing your perfect bundle, and start your savings story today.