I found a place I want to rent (saw the place in person, details of rent are good, rental host is nice, now just finalizing the agreement), but when I asked the rental host that I'd like to have a lease agreement to make sure we are on the same page, I got this response: (I cut some things for privacy)
With regards to sublease agreement, i do no use it. We all live in the same place and we have agreements on basic items. I am ultimately responsible to the landlord. But i am also the one making the commitment to help with anything you need for a great environment to study and enjoy a great experience. Over the years I have had the pleasure of sharing the apartment with many wonderful people finance professors, nursing students, artists, sport management students. And it comes down to basic fundamentals that all the paper in the world do not help with:Being nice, clean, honest, responsible, helpful, communicating if there is something that comes up…It requires purpose, integrity and intent to support each other and make a great living arrangement. … but i understand if this is something unfamiliar or uncomfortable and I totally respect that. In the end if this is something that would not work for you, it is ok. I understand. I in the end, you need to feel comfortable and ‘trust your guts’ -:)…
Questions:
Is it normal for people who are subleasing to not have an agreement document? What is typical in SF for renting as a sublease? What are ways I can make sure this is a safe situation (like legally/ agreement-wise) for me to go into? Also, what's a typical form of payment for subleases in SF? (she had asked for check but that's not going to work) Any other helpful info, I'd really appreciate since I've never rented esp in SF.
Some other details:
We had texted/spoke already about deposit 1st & last month, rent/utilities, overnight guest policy, and rental date starting in December (previous tenant is moving out then and I'd looked at this place before but they were ahead of me in line at that time- that's why I was contacted now for this)
The sublease document I sent was short/succinct (~1/2 page) but covered necessary details (I sent it as a blank template which I had gotten from the off campus housing office resources that my college has). My parents (who are responsible for all finances) & I mostly just want the lease agreement to have all the details together in one place, have it in case something goes wrong later, and make sure everything is legit before we give a deposit early.
Inner Richmond 2 bd 1 ba (+ 1/2 of living room separated as 3rd bd where the rental host stays on weekends)