<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tcolitt:
I am renting a house in LA. After subletting to a third roommate with no lease for 4 months with my landlords verbal consent, I had to find a replacement for my second roommate. My landlord wants to protect himself in the case that I (the primary tenant) should move out and the roommates refuse to vacate the house. Is it best for me to sign a sublet agreement? Does the landlord have to sign it as well? I am acting as the house manager (carry the responsibilty and do repairs, maintenance, etc.) and the roommates pay a slightly higher share of the rent. If my landlord has to approve any new agreement, I am worried that he may not agree to my division of the total rent. Many Thanks, Tom <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
For your protection, you should get written approval from your landlord to sublet and for approval of anything else that you obtained verbal approval for that is inconsistent with the written terms of your lease agreememnt.
You should also make sure that any sublet agreement is in writing so there is written evidence should there be a dispute in the future. The landlord does not have to sign this agreement but I am pretty sure that you being the primary tenant have total reponsibility for the payment of the rent in the event the roommates do not pay you. You will also be held responsible if the roommates violate any terms of the lease agreement such as maintenance, noise etc.
