Pictures to Include When Subletting
Sometimes college students have to leave their current apartment earlier than they agreed to on their official lease. When this happens, most property managers allow the tenant to leave as long as they find someone to take over the lease, or in other words, to “sublet.”
A subtenant will ultimately take your place in the lease and is now officially responsible for everything outlined in the lease, including rent and utilities. It can be challenging trying to find a reliable person to sublet your apartment to but adequate advertisement can help increase your chances of finding a willing person.
One of the ways you can advertise your apartment to potential subtenants is by including various pictures of the apartment. Pictures allow the person to see a little of the property and what the place looks like. Below are some good photos to include when subletting your apartment.
Kitchen
It is likely that potential subtenants will be using their kitchen quite frequently. Pictures of the kitchen will give them a good idea about the amount of space in the kitchen and how much storage or cupboard space they have. Capture the best photos that give the potential subtenants the most accurate depiction of the kitchen.
You want to be sure to include pictures of the kitchen appliances, like the stove, refrigerator, and microwave. If there are any appliances that do not come with the apartment, you may want to mention that in a side note on your advertisement. It is best to be upfront about anything the tenant might be expecting so it does not look like you were dishonest. This includes having pictures that show any known damage to the kitchen and appliances.
Bathroom
The bathroom is another important picture to include when you are trying to sublet your apartment. You want to include pictures that show the space of the bathroom as well as whether it is a full or half bathroom. Include pictures of the bathtub, toilet, and shower and make sure they are clean.
Dirty and unkempt bathrooms can completely turn off a potential subtenant. They may assume the apartment in general is unclean and undesirable. If the apartment has more than one bathroom, be sure to include either pictures or descriptions. Make sure your bathroom pictures are well lit and even include pictures of the lighting and mirrors since they will probably be used often.
Living Room
Although this may not be one of the most important pictures to include, it can certainly help you in advertising. Some people spend a large amount of time in their living room and it is important they know the size and even the comfort of it. Get pictures of the living room from different angles so the subtenant can get a good idea about what they’ll be working with.
Outside Apartment
Pictures of the outside of the apartment can be just as effective as the ones inside when you want to attract a potential subtenant. People are interested in getting a feel for the look of the place where they will be living. This includes pictures of the apartment signs, apartment itself, and nice greenery that might be planted outside.
If you can get a picture of outdoor picnic areas or people walking their pets, this would be a nice addition. This shows the apartment has a place for outdoor activity. Outdoor pictures could even include parking so the subtenants can get an idea of how much parking space the apartment has. Include pictures of the backyard in case this appeals to subtenants.
Amenities
Amenities are one of the biggest attractions to an apartment, especially for college students. If your apartment has a pool, recreation center, media lab, tanning salon, or fitness center, you can definitely include pictures of those to show everything the subtenants can enjoy at their potential residence.
These pictures could be the seller of the advertisement that finally gets the subtenants to agree to take over your lease.
Individual bedrooms (optional)
Because of simple space on an advertisement, it may not be plausible to include pictures of individual bedrooms. If you decide to include pictures of bedrooms, again make sure you capture the best photos that show how much space is in the room and also closet space. You may include facts about any unique or beautiful scenery they may be able to view through the bedroom windows. If you can’t include pictures, be sure to say how many bedrooms there are and if they are spacious or not.
Overall, if you want to attract a potential subtenant, you want to provide clear and accurate photos of the place. You want the pictures to show clean rooms and clean appliances. Your descriptions should only be accurate but thorough. You do not want to mislead someone. Anything you cannot get a picture of should be described clearly in the advertisement. Also be sure to describe any deals the subtenants might get if they agree to sublet, like “first month free,” if you plan on doing that.
These tips outlined above can certainly increase the likelihood of someone being interested in subletting your apartment. Good luck!