There’s nothing like coming home after a month away — unless you walk through the door and find two strangers living in your apartment.
That’s what happened to Maverick Crupi, a University of Pittsburgh student.
Don’t miss
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how
- I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
- Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now
"I opened the door, I walked in, and everything in the kitchen that was there, that I had there, was no longer there," Crupi told KDKA News. "There were new pots, there were new pans, there’s a candle."
Crupi said his former roommate arranged to sublet his room without telling him, something he believes is a complete violation of his rights as a tenant. While subletting isn’t unusual, their lease explicitly states that it’s allowed “only when we expressly consent in writing," and that "the remaining resident and replacement residents must sign an entirely new lease contract."
Does coming home to a total stranger cross the line legally or is it simply a thoughtless move from a former roommate?
The growing appeal of subletting
Whether you’re relocating for work, traveling abroad or planning to move before your lease expires, subletting can help cut rental costs and avoid early termination fees — but only if your lease allows it.
With the average U.S. rent reaching $2,109, according to Zillow, more renters are turning to creative ways to manage rising housing costs. Reflecting this trend, Zillow recently added options for subletting single rooms, underscoring the growing affordability challenges in today’s market.
When KDKA Investigates looked deeper into Crupi’s situation, they discovered that he had signed a “by-the-bed” lease. In other words, while the apartment was a two-bedroom unit with shared common areas, Crupi was only renting — and paying for — his own bedroom.
Several local attorneys told KDKA that the property management company, SkyVue, wasn’t technically violating the lease. Attorney Daniel Stoner explained that under a by-the-bed lease, each tenant signs a separate contract. That means Crupi may not have legal grounds to claim a breach just because new tenants moved in without his knowledge.
"That’s really at (the landlord’s) discretion and option if they want to enforce those clauses or not, and sometimes they do. Sometimes they don’t," Stoner said.
Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Common courtesy isn’t in the fine print
Before you agree to sublet — or even sign a lease — it’s worth taking a moment to read the fine print. Crupi’s experience is a reminder of how quickly things can get uncomfortable when you don’t fully understand what’s in your contract.
Pay special attention to clauses about subletting, guest policies or “right of entry.” These details are often buried in legalese but can affect the control you have over your living space.
Stoner recommended reviewing lease agreements closely and asking questions before signing. If anything seems unclear, ask the landlord or property manager to put the answer in writing. It’s much easier to clear up confusion before move-in day than when you’re already paying rent.
"Those are questions that you certainly should be asking, particularly if you are entering into a lease where you’re renting out an individual bedroom and you’re living in a unit with other people that are that are renting," Stoner said.
Don’t assume that what feels like common courtesy — like telling you when a new roommate moves in — is part of your lease. If your contract is unclear, consider having a lawyer review it. A quick legal check could prevent headaches later, whether you’re subletting to someone else or just trying to protect your own space.
What to read next
- You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
- Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
- Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
- Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead
Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.