A sublease (also called a sublet) is when the original tenant on a lease rents out all or part of their rental unit to someone else—called a subtenant or sublessee —for a limited time, without ending their own lease with the landlord.

In simple terms

  • Who’s involved?
    • The landlord (property owner)
    • The original tenant (now called the sublessor)
    • The new person who moves in (the sublessee)
  • How it works:
    The original tenant stays on the lease and keeps paying the landlord, while the subtenant pays rent to the original tenant.
  • Duration and use:
    • Often shorter than the original lease (for example, a few months).
* Can cover the **whole unit** (full sublease) or **just part of it** (shared room or common areas).

Key legal points

  • The original lease still applies ; the sublease is an extra agreement that adds the subtenant.
  • The original tenant remains legally responsible for rent, damages, and rule‑breaking, even if the subtenant causes the problem.
  • Many landlords require written consent before a tenant can sublease, and some bans on subleasing are allowed depending on local laws.

Why people sublease

  • The original tenant needs to move temporarily (for work, study, travel) but doesn’t want to break the lease.
  • The subtenant wants short‑term or flexible housing , often cheaper or more convenient than a full lease.

If you tell me whether you’re the tenant wanting to sublease or the person thinking of being a subtenant , I can walk you through what to watch out for and what a solid sublease agreement should include.