How to sublet in NYC - 5 steps

Step 1: Planning your NYC sublet

When you know you’re leaving NYC, think ahead. Too many people end up paying rent for an empty apartment when they could have found someone they trust to cover their rent instead. This year alone, Ohana helped New Yorkers save $25M in rent by subleasing, and we’re just getting started. We estimate that 4 to 6 percent of all NYC apartments are empty at any given time and could be sublet. Planning early gives you more time to find the right person and avoid last-minute stress.

Step 2: Where to post your NYC sublet

If you want to avoid the cringe Instagram story asking if “anyone knows anyone.” There are only a few places with the reach to help you find someone quickly for a sublet NYC listing.

Best Facebook groups

New York Sublet: The oldest subletting Facebook group with the most success for hosts NYC Sublets & Short-Term Rentals: The fastest growing group since Local Law 18 passed and Airbnb lost 90 percent of its NYC listings

Best Instagram pages

Artists Who Sublet: 20k followers who actively look for new york sublets Girls Who Sublet: 30k followers focused on sublets near me and NYC short term rentals Founders Who Sublet: Great for professionals looking for a short term lease NYC

Airbnb

If you want to be a hotel manager, Airbnb can work. If you don’t want to deal with sheets, cleaners, and constant turnover, it’s a lot of work and often not worth it in NYC anymore.

Step 3: How to make your NYC sublet post stand out

A strong post makes all the difference when trying to sublease an apartment. Your post should clearly include:

• Make your bed! (this can be the difference between earning $200 more than your rent)
• Neighborhood and closest subway
• Furnished or unfurnished
• Clear dates and rent amount (with utilities)
• A short, honest description

Good posts save you a lot of time vetting people and answering the same question over and over

Step 4: How to sublease safely in NYC

Safety matters for both hosts and guests. Follow these rules every time:

• Do not send money before moving in
• Always, always have a contract
• It’s best to have coverage in case something goes wrong

Ohana covers up to 3x the security deposit to eliminate the very real risk of coming home to a damaged apartment. With Ohana, every sublet starts with an intro call so you can see the place live, meet the host, and feel confident before committing. Ohana also holds the security deposit throughout the stay and only releases rent to the host after confirming the guest has moved in successfully. That’s peace of mind you don’t get from most best sublet websites NYC.

Step 5: Enjoy your freedom!

NYC rent goes a long way. We have friends, who rented his place in the West Village for $3,200 per month and spent the month at at Surfbreak Coliving in Puerto Escondido for only $2,000 per month. He was working remotely, surfing everyday, and earning $1200 per month by just subletting.