A lease is a legally binding document or contract between a landlord and one or more tenants who are renting the property. The terms of a lease should include how much rent you must pay, when to pay, to whom, and for how long. There are additional terms and conditions that go beyond just the rent of the property. Other terms may include: pet policies, maintenance expectations, landlord access to the property, and more. When signing a lease, renters should review all aspects and consider what amenities are included and their rights as a tenant. It’s critical to take note of whether or not utilities are included, as this can add extra unanticipated costs to the rent. 

Generally speaking, there are two types of leases: long-term and month-to-month. Long-term leases make up a good portion of rental agreements in the La Jolla area. They are typically year-long and can be renewed at the end of the year. Month-to-month leases allow the landlord to terminate the lease at any time and allow both parties more flexibility, but can also contribute to housing insecurity. Both types of leases will include security deposits, which are intended to offset any cleaning costs, repair costs, or amount owed under the rental agreement. 

If you’d like to sign a lease that starts during June or July, we highly recommend starting your housing search during April and May. If you don’t need housing until Fall Quarter, meaning your lease would start in August or September, then please start looking no later than June.

A tenant is subletting when they rent out their property to a third party for a portion of their lease. Subleasing is beneficial for short-term stays such as if the student only needs housing for the summer or a quarter. Those thinking of subleasing should consider the pros and cons.

Additionally, in order to sublease a property you must ensure that there is clear language stated in your lease that this is possible or to communicate with your landlord. Any illegal subleasing can potentially be grounds for eviction.