A Step-by-Step Guide to Subletting Your College Room

We all know the famous saying, "Mi casa es tu casa." It turns out, though, that it's surprisingly difficult to make your casa someone else's casa. More specifically, it's hard to sublet your off-campus college room.

Whether you're home for the summer or studying abroad for a semester, there will be plenty of times throughout your collegiate career when you're not occupying your room. However, instead of paying rent for an empty room, many people opt to lease their space to a subtenant for a fixed period of time.

The Problem with Traditional Methods

Usually, these transactions take place over Facebook groups, Sidechat posts, or sometimes even a good-old-fashioned print ad. These methods, though, often feel like you're talking into the void. Social media is riddled with bots, print ads get trampled and disregarded, and Sidechat, well, nobody knows what happens on Sidechat.

Moreover, utilizing these sites can often feel like a gamble. It can be hard to verify the identity of the person you're negotiating with, and securing the proper documentation is downright befuddling.

Enter Squibber

That's where Squibber comes in.

Squibber allows you to post your space on a secure, organized ecosystem that matches hosts and subtenants. All of its hosts and renters are verified students. So, how can you sublet your room on the site?

Getting Started

To get started, visit the Squibber site and select "For Hosts." Next, create an account and verify your email. Make sure that you use your university-issued ".edu" address. After that, you'll be asked to create a profile, featuring a photo and a short bio. Then, you'll be asked to create your listing. But, before you do, there are a few quick steps to complete.

Preparation Steps

1. Take Quality Photos

Take 3-12 clear photos of the space you plan on subletting, as well as the other amenities that your house or apartment has to offer. Give renters the impression that this is not just a space for rent, but a home that they would be welcomed into. Make sure that your photos can answer any questions renters might have about the living space.

2. Review Your Lease Agreement

Thoroughly read over your lease agreement. Before you moved into your current space, you signed a lease with a landlord or property manager. These agreements have specific, detailed provisions regarding leasing out your space and the proper method of doing so. In order to ensure that you don't violate the terms of the lease, read it over before creating your listing and run any questions by your landlord. After you've cleared the air, have the agreement ready to upload.

3. Gather Contact Information

Add in contact information (names and email addresses) for your housemates, as well as for your landlord. Make sure your housemates are aware that you'll be renting out your space (you don't want any surprise guests scaring them). These contacts are hidden and never displayed publicly. Squibber ensures their security and only keeps them to ease the signing of the legal sublet agreement.

Finding Your Match

Once you've posted your listing, renters will have the opportunity to browse and express interest. You'll be able to communicate with them directly and exchange questions. After you've found a match, the Squibber team will finalize it and provide both sides with the proper documentation, which has been approved by legal professionals.

Getting Paid

Once everything has been signed, you will receive payments through the Squibber site's secure payment system. And, best of all, on-demand support will be available throughout your Squibber journey!

The Bottom Line

So, that's it! It really is simple - sign up for Squibber, list your room, and find a renter! It's safe, secure, and, in the eternal words of my Staples button, easy. So, the next time you need to make tu casa someone else's casa, which is probably very soon, just look for the little elephant with the cap and get going!