sublet my rented house for 3 months?

[bec293]

I have an option of going to Africa for three months (a thread about this here), the only problem is I have a 12 month lease which expires in Sep 2012. I really don't want to wait that long. A friend suggested I rent out my rented house, fully furnished, for the time I am away. I thought that was a great idea so I emailed my real estate agent to find out if it's possible. This was her reply:

According to the Act you can sublet to another party while you are overseas, however, both you and your sublet tenant are both severally and jointly liable during this time. What you need to do is to get an application completed by the person you wish to sublet to and forward it to me for processing. This application also needs to be approved by the landlord. This persons name will then be added to the property so that they can receive mail from Elders addressed to the property.

What you need to consider is that while you are away, if your sublet tenant defaults on the rent to an extent to which a Tribunal Hearing is required, the order of the Tribunal will also be registered under your name. This means that if an eviction order is the result of a Tribunal Hearing then it will also evict you and both you and your sub tenant will be registered on a tenancy database.

There is a lot of risk involved unless this is someone you trust completely.

Now I am a bit scared, I won't personally know the person I sublet to. I really want to go though, another option would be to cut the lease short, and put my things in storage then move into a new place when I get back. I am planning on moving interstate anyway, this means it would happen sooner rather than later.

Any advice, other options or experience with this?

Thanks

[krysalyss]

I wouldn't do it. I have rented out a room before but I was still living there so the risk wasn't as big. I would take the second option and put my stuff in storage. HTH!

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Can a friend or family member house sit for the time you are away?

[bec293]

thanks Krysalyss, yes it is a big risk. I just noticed our avvy's are very similar

LittleMissSummer - thanks, great idea. I might put the word out and see if anyone is interested. It's possible, I live in an area known for seasonal fruit picking work so I may get someone interested

[Cranky Kitten]

Sub-letting is a recipe for disaster. Don't do it.

House-sitting is a potential option but make sure you do HEAPS of background checks (or go through an agency that does them for you) if it's someone you don't know.

[krysalyss]

I just noticed our avvy's are very similar

Oh yeah! Maybe its a sign I should come to Africa with you!