Move-In Fee For Sublease?

Question

I normally do move-in fees in place of security deposits here in Chicago. I have a tenant finding a sublease currently. Can I collect a move-in fee for a subleasing tenant? What about a pet fee?

Thank you,

Art

Art Maydan · Answer

@David Carte

Thanks, David. Ended up just doing a new 11-month lease with the guy who wanted to sublease. Liked him even more than the original tenant.

David Carte · Answer

@Art Maydan Yeah, I would recommend have clauses in the original lease for both subleases and pets. Where you can state that the tenant is allowed to sublease (with your approval or whatever restrictions you want to put), and then state that any sublease requires a move-in fee of $___. That way there's no question about the issue, it's the policy as written and the tenant agreed to it. Likewise, state there is a fee of $____ for pets (you can choose if you want to do different amounts for the pet size or whatever). Do your sub-leasers sign any sort of sublease or anything? You should make them subject to all the requirements as the original tenant, because they're responsible while they're living there.

Art Maydan · Answer

@David Carte The lease says Landlord allows reasonable subleases. Are you saying to put an addendum in the original lease for a pet fee and then have the subleaser pay that?

David Carte · Answer

Do you have any stipulations on sub-leasing in your rental lease? Same goes for pets. Have these fees put into the original lease so that they are agreed to by the tenant when they sign.

Art Maydan · Answer

Bump. Mostly curious about the pet fee. I have a tenant with no pet trying to find a sublease and some applicants have pets.