Life is full of surprises, and Denver is full of wonderful opportunities. You may have the chance to temporarily leave your apartment, but this could leave you stuck between a rock and a hard place—how can you get out of paying

rent

while you’re not staying at your apartment without officially moving or breaking your lease?

One answer to this question is to sublet your apartment, but it can be difficult to get approval for it. Licensed

insurance broker

and comparison app

Jerry

has all the facts about subletting an apartment in Denver.

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Is subletting legal in Denver?

It is legal to sublet an apartment in Denver. The state of Colorado does not prohibit subletting, but there is an exception—your lease can restrict or even completely prohibit you from subletting your apartment.

Read over your lease thoroughly before you start to think about subletting your apartment. If your lease prohibits subletting, you probably won’t be able to sway your landlord.

If subletting is allowed or not mentioned in your lease, you will be required to get written approval from your landlord to begin the process,

Can my landlord reject my sublet tenant?

A landlord can technically reject a sublet tenant, but Colorado law can be on your side here. Colorado case law and page three of the Colorado Landlord-Tenant Handbook say a landlord cannot unreasonably withhold permission from a tenant to sublet their apartment.

An applicant can only be rejected if the landlord can prove their business will be put at risk by subletting to the applicant. If there isn’t any evidence proving the subtenant would be able to reliably pay rent, the landlord has grounds to refuse them as a subtenant.

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How to sublet an apartment in Denver

If this is your first time trying to sublet an apartment, don’t be intimidated—it’s a fairly straightforward process if you follow the rules. Follow these steps and you’ll be ready to go.

Get the okay from your landlord

The first step is to get written permission to sublet your apartment from your landlord. You’ll want to do this well before you temporarily leave the apartment. A good rule of thumb is providing at least two weeks' notice.

You will need to explain why you want to sublet the apartment and ask your landlord if they have any restrictions or requirements to be observed in your absence. This notice needs to be formal, but make your point directly. You want your landlord to feel confident in your ability to find a quality subtenant.

Find a subtenant

You’ve gotten permission from your landlord, so now it’s time to find a subtenant. If you already have someone in mind, you can skip this step.

If you do not yet have a subtenant, you can post on websites such as:

Sublet.com

Anyplace.com

Facebook marketplace

The most important factors of finding a quality subtenant are credit score and income. You should also specify how long they will be subletting your apartment along with any other requirements.

Screen applicants’ income and background

The Denver market is a popular place to live, so you probably won’t have trouble getting applicants. Anyone with less income or a lower credit score than you can be screened out first. If they are deemed less financially stable than you, it’s more than likely that your landlord will reject them.

For the remaining applicants, research their background and ask for proof of income, like pay stubs.

You can turn to social media or third-party services to conduct background checks of your applicants. You’ll need to find someone you can trust since you’ll still be held financially and legally responsible while you’re gone!

Create a sublease agreement and request approval in writing

When you find the right person to sublet your apartment, meet with them to create a legal agreement that specifically outlines:

The rent amount they owe you per month

Payment and nonpayment procedures

The beginning and end dates of the sublease

Both of you need to sign this agreement.

You will need to send this agreement, your subtenant’s documents, and a written request for your landlord to approve everything. Include your reason for subletting and the beginning and end dates for the sublet.

Continue paying rent

You just successfully sublet your Denver apartment! Just make sure to remember you will still be held responsible for paying the rent.

You will be receiving part or all of the rent from your subtenant. If anything happens and they aren’t able to pay rent, you will be responsible for covering it.

Key Takeaway Document everything in writing throughout this process to make sure you’re covered for any unexpected updates.

MORE: How much renters insurance do you really need?

How to save on renters insurance in Denver

It’s more important than ever to have renters insurance if you decide to sublet your apartment to protect yourself both legally and financially. Licensed car insurance broker and comparison app

Jerry

can help you save on your

renters insurance

when you bundle it with an

auto policy

Finding a subletter can be stressful, but Jerry makes it easier than ever to find the right policy with the most savings. Download the app, answer some questions, and let Jerry handle everything for you! You’ll get a list of competitive quotes from top-rated insurance companies for auto and renters policies, and you can choose the ones that work best for you for your bundle.