leasing
sublease
A sublease occurs when a tenant transfers part of the leased premises or part of the remaining lease term to a new occupant, the subtenant, while keeping some interest in the lease. The original tenant remains liable to the landlord for rent and lease terms and becomes the landlord to the subtenant. Many leases require landlord consent before subletting.
- Exam tip
- Sublease transfers less than the tenant's full interest, and the original tenant stays primarily liable. An assignment transfers the entire remaining interest to the new tenant.
- Example
- A tenant with eight months left on her lease sublets her apartment for the three summer months, then moves back in for the rest of the term.
Related terms & state variants
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Last verified: 2026-10-23