A closer look: Subletting: a conquerable challenge

Finding a place to rent and subletting to others can be a
challenge the first time around.

A common place to start for those interested in places being
subletted is the UCLA Community Housing Office.

One useful area of the Community Housing Office Web site is the
publications and references section, which lists average rental
rates for sublets, neighborhood profiles. The site offers a
description of each sublet area around UCLA, and a neighborhood map
that includes areas available for subletting. It also includes its
own guide to living off campus and other short-term solutions for
those searching for a place to live.

After finding a sublet location, students can then call the
subletters or building managers and schedule a tour to get a
firsthand look at the area they’ll be residing in for the
summer.

Some students stressed how viewing the area before deciding to
move in saved them future trouble.

“There were problems with the shower,” said
Elizabeth Holm, a fourth-year theater student. “It was
covered with mold from two years, and the place was very
noisy.”

Part of the process of locating a place being subletted is
finding others willing to share the sublet and dividing the cost of
living.

Many satisfied previous renters chose to live with people they
already know, and consider living with those they are familiar with
a positive step in finding a sublet.

“Hopefully you can live with some friends,” said
Manoj Lal, a third-year psychobiology student.

A good way to find people to stay with is to ask those one knows
well and trusts, said Joelle Berle, a fourth-year communication
studies student.

Finding people to join in sharing a sublet may be difficult, but
the process of subletting can be made easier by utilizing public
bulletins.

“There’s a board in Ackerman you can post notices
on,” Lal said. “I got a response in one or two
days.”

The housing search board in Ackerman allows students hunting for
a sublet to post notices for roommates needed and available without
charge.

Another option for finding roommates is through online
advertisements and classifieds, said Joelle Berle, a fourth-year
communication studies student.

Students do not have to pay to access online ads, since many
sites offer their services for free.

The disparity between the number of renters and the number of
subletters allows renters to enter agreements favorable to
them.

“Renters are in a buyer’s market,” said Frank
Montana, manager for Community Housing and Outreach and assistant
director of UCLA Housing Services. “You don’t have to
pay the price on the ad.”

With the current market favoring those who are looking to rent,
subletters face much competition in standing out from the
crowd.

Montana suggests explaining “why the place is more
desirable than other places” to minimize losses and attract
more individuals to consider their housing offer.

The chances of finding someone to rent an open spot are also
increased by negotiating and being persistent.

“Ads are taken down every day,” said Carlos
Ballesteros, a fourth-year business economics student and previous
subletter, who advises putting up new ads in the same places even
if they were constantly removed.

The worry of being scammed is an issue that both renters and
subletters worry about.

Subletters are encouraged to spell out how their furniture and
rooms are to be used to avoid any surprises when they return.

“You never know how they’ll treat your stuff,”
said Terra Judge, a second-year sociology student.

Montana recommends having a written agreement and documenting
the terms so there is no future confusion.

“Plan ahead and don’t limit your choices,”
said Judy Chan, a third-year geography student who found summer
sublet housing in Westwood through a close friend.

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