Although most sublicense arrangements are completed without any problems arising, there have been some exceptions – sublicensees refusing to pay, license holders leaving the apartment in a mess with rotting food in the fridge, conflicts between the sublicensee and the remaining roommate, etc.

The parties to the sublicense arrangement should first work together to solve the problem.  When attempts at resolution are unsuccessful or if additional help is needed, the following resources may be useful:

• The student license holder may contact the Graduate Life Office for advice and/or assistance.

• The ASSU Legal Counseling Office provides legal advice to Stanford students, their spouses and domestic partners. The LCO Is the first step for any student who thinks that he or she might have a legal issue, and is strictly confidential.

• If the conflict is with regard to money in an amount less than $7,500 and resolution does not seem possible other than by legal means, the person seeking to be paid or reimbursed can take the other party to Small Claims Court.  Hearings are informal and no attorneys are involved.  However, the process can be time consuming. 

• The Santa Clara County Small Claims court has a mediation program, to help people resolve their issues without going to court.

Stanford University and its offices, employees and agents are not a party to any sublicense agreements between license holders and sublicensees.  Stanford University has created the sublicense program policies and procedures to facilitate the sublicense process so that Stanford graduate students may renew their housing contracts as long as they are able, even if they will be away for summers or vacation quarters.  Stanford University shall not be liable for losses or damages of any kind occurring during the course of or because of any sublicense agreement.