University students turn to subleasing when college life requires flexibility that many annual apartment leases do not offer.

Subleasing, or subletting, is when a tenant transfers part of a remaining lease term to a new renter. Subleasing is popular among students graduating in the fall or spring, studying abroad or those living in places that do not offer short-term leases.

Residents should obtain written consent from the new renter with the permission of a landlord. The contract should clearly state rental fees, the time of property use, the property cannot be rented to another else and other residential rules.

General lease agreements are available in office supply stores and online.

If you do not ask the landlord to release you from the lease then you are responsible if the person renting the apartment does not pay rent or damages the apartment.

“It’s good idea to meet the person you let sublease your apartment and ask about things like pets or smoking habits,” said William Raynor, a senior from Fitzgerald living in River Club Apartments on Macon Highway.

Raynor has been on both sides of the deal.

“I decided to take over the lease from friends,” Raynor said. “The couple was getting married and moving out of their apartment. It was perfect because it was the end of summer, so I stayed in the same place the next fall.”

When Raynor subleased his apartment, he searched profiles provided by his landlord and created a Marketplace listing using a Facebook application. Providing photos and details in advertisements can make your sublease stand out.

“I chose to sublease my apartment because I was out of state for summer, and I didn’t want to maintain the financial burden,” Raynor said.