Quick Scoop: To sublet an apartment means you rent out all or part of the place you’re already leasing to someone else, while your name usually stays on the original lease and you remain responsible to the landlord.

What it means

In simple terms, a sublet is a tenant-to-tenant rental : the new person lives there and pays rent, but they are not the original leaseholder. The original tenant often uses subletting when they need to move out early, travel, study abroad, or avoid paying for an empty apartment.

How it works

  • You, the original tenant, usually stay legally tied to the lease.
  • The subtenant pays rent and may help cover utilities, depending on the arrangement.
  • Many leases require the landlord’s permission before subletting.

Why people do it

People sublet to keep from losing money on a place they can’t use for a while, or to fill a room when a roommate leaves. It can be a flexible option, but it also carries risk if the subtenant misses rent or damages the apartment, because the original tenant may still be on the hook.

Simple example

If you sign a 12-month lease but leave after 6 months for a new job, you might sublet the apartment for the remaining 6 months instead of breaking the lease.

TL;DR

A sublet means someone else lives in your rented apartment under your lease arrangement, usually with your landlord’s approval, while you remain responsible for the original lease.