Woman Reveals How She Avoided Paying $3,600 in Rent for Her N.Y.C. Apartment While on a Month-Long Vacation (Exclusive)

Emma Oyomba, a New York City resident, has discovered a productive approach to offset the costs of her travels by subletting her apartment. As she prepared for a month-long trip away from the bustling metropolis, Oyomba faced a pressing concern: she would still be liable for her $3,600 monthly rent while away. After some contemplation, she decided to take the plunge and sublet her home.

In a TikTok video that struck a chord with many, Oyomba shared her experiences and the financial benefits that ensued from her decision. She described how subletting allowed her month away to effectively cover its own costs. “Rent is my biggest monthly expense,” she noted in an interview with PEOPLE. “Although I had never seriously considered subletting before, the thought of paying a full month’s rent while travelling made the option much more attractive.”

While subletting involves an element of risk, Oyomba had some reservations about allowing a stranger to occupy her space. Nonetheless, she conducted thorough research to find a suitable tenant. “My biggest concern was subletting my space to a stranger,” she admitted. To ease her apprehensions, she paid careful attention to the responsiveness of potential subletters and sought out public social media profiles that could provide insights into their lives.

The platform she used for the subletting process offered valuable verification tools, such as employment checks and credit assessments. Users could communicate through messages and video chats, which helped Oyomba gauge personalities and suitability. “Overall, it was a mix of checks and my own instincts,” she said, emphasising the importance of personal feeling in her choice.

After selecting the right candidate, Oyomba turned her focus to preparing her apartment for her subletter. She adopted a mindset of hospitality, making her space inviting by clearing out personal items, washing bedding, and ensuring essentials were readily available. She even documented the apartment’s condition with photographs. “It felt no different than getting my place ready for family or friends to stay,” she reflected, indicating her commitment to providing a pleasant experience.

Upon booking her travel and securing her subletter, Oyomba reviewed her finances. With the $3,600 she would not be spending on rent, she calculated her travel expenses to be approximately $2,000. By staying predominantly with family and friends, she managed to keep costs low. The surplus of $1,600 allowed her to funnel $1,000 into savings, while she designated $600 as “fun money” for spontaneous splurges during her trip.

Despite having budgeted for her journey beforehand, Oyomba’s subletting arrangement meant she could avoid the burden of an unoccupied apartment. This greatly eased her financial concerns while travelling. Her apprehensions about leaving her home in the hands of another turned out to be unfounded, as the experience proved seamless. Upon her return, she found the apartment in the same condition she left it, with no complaints from neighbours.

Interestingly, subletting offered unexpected advantages, such as having her plants watered and her mail collected while she was away. “That was a win I didn’t consider before I left!” she enthused, noting the benefits that came from having someone in her apartment.

While short-term leasing may present challenges in New York City due to strict regulations—which stipulate that hosts cannot rent out entire apartments for less than 30 days—Oyomba successfully navigated this by adhering to the minimum requirement for her month-long trip.

This positive experience has encouraged Oyomba to consider subletting again in the future. For anyone contemplating a similar move, she recommends starting the search for potential subletters as soon as travel plans are confirmed. This allows ample time to vet candidates and even meet them face-to-face if possible.

Importantly, Oyomba clarifies that subletting should not be viewed as a quick way to make a profit. “I wouldn’t look at it as a get-rich-quick thing,” she cautioned. Instead, she views it as a strategic reallocation of expenses, allowing travel costs to be effectively managed while minimizing financial burdens. “The opportunity is really to stop paying for an apartment you won’t use for a short period and redirecting that money towards your trip or other savings goals,” she concluded.

Through her proactive approach, Emma Oyomba has turned a potential travel dilemma into an opportunity for financial relief and growth. Her experience serves as a valuable lesson for others looking to navigate the challenges of renting in a high-cost city while pursuing their wanderlust.