Subletting season begins for renters, tenants

By BETH BAUMGARDNER
Collegian Staff Writer

Even if students will not be able to pay summer subletting rent with just the change in their pockets, great bargains can still be found.

Amy Hencke (sophomore-finance) has spent the last two weeks plastering more than 150 fliers advertising her Cedarbrook Apartments, 320 E. Beaver Ave., sublet in classrooms, dorms and the HUB.

"We haven't had a single (phone) call," Hencke said. "In the end, we're going to have to make some sort of deal."

With less than five weeks of classes left, many apartment tenants are still searching for subletters and, in their desperation, they are offering special deals, too.

Knocking $20 dollars off the monthly rent price helped Angela Matthews (junior-wildlife and fisheries science) find potential subletters for her Hetzel Plaza, 500 E. College Ave., sublet.

"We just stuck up (about 30 fliers) last Friday, and we've had three phone calls and we've shown (the apartment) two times," Matthews said. "It's late in the season, but people are still looking."

Because she wanted to take advantage of flexible rent prices, Alyssa Richman (sophomore-English and women's studies) waited until last week to find an apartment sublet for the summer.

Richman decided on one in Sutton Court Apartment, 670 E. Prospect Ave., because the original tenant was flexible with the price.

"I get the entire summer for $400," she said.

Richman, who will probably be working on campus during the summer, will be living in the two-bedroom apartment with three other females, only one of which is not a summer subletter.

"I don't know the people, (but) I think it was worth it to me. I was really looking at price. That was the main focus," Richman said.

"Even if I hate them, it's only for a few months," she added.

Though tenants and subletters may be comfortable with a sublet agreement, the realtor may be more hesitant.

"To a certain point, (making a special offer) does concern me, but I screen my subletters anyway," said Laurie Smith, property manager of Falk Realty, 532 E. College Ave.

This screening process involves filling out an application to sublet and allows Smith to reject any potential subletters on the basis of previous evictions or a bad credit history. Smith also requires the subletter and original tenant to sign a subletting agreement.

"It just helps everyone out," she said, by ensuring the original tenant and the subletter are both aware of their responsibilities. "You (could) get people in there that you don't even know."

James Sweeney, office manager with State College Sun Corp., 422 Clay Lane, said while the office does not help find people to sublet apartments, they also screen possible subletters and require a contract.