What does sublease mean?
A sublease is an arrangement in which someone who is renting property allows another person to use it for a period of time. The person granting the sublease is usually the head tenant, while the person receiving it is the subtenant. The same word can function as a verb: tenants sublease an apartment, house, or office when they need to offset costs or leave temporarily. A sublease is distinct from the original lease because it is made between the tenant and a subtenant rather than directly between the owner and occupier. In most agreements, the original tenant remains responsible to the landlord for rent, damage, and compliance with the head lease. Landlords often require written consent before subletting or subleasing, so the exact legal position depends on the governing lease and local law.
A lease of property made by a tenant to another person, or the agreement itself.
"The tenant negotiated a sublease with a visiting colleague."
Often used in property, real-estate, and legal contexts. The tenant normally remains responsible to the landlord under the original lease.
To grant a tenant the right to use property that one is occupying under a lease.
"They subleased the second bedroom to cover part of the monthly rent."
Frequently used in everyday speech as well as formal property discussions. Consent requirements depend on the original lease and applicable law.
The plural is used for individual sublease agreements or arrangements.
"The building has several subleases for its commercial units."
A sublease can let a tenant host someone else without surrendering the original lease—but the tenant usually remains responsible to the landlord.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sublease come from?
The word combines the prefix “sub-,” meaning under or secondary, with “lease,” an existing legal and property term. “Lease” comes through Old French from Latin “lesia,” associated with the action of letting or releasing property. The compound “sublease” developed in legal and property language to describe a lease granted by a tenant rather than by the property owner.
Related word forms
How sublease is actually used
The term is common in North American English and is also used in British English, especially in property and legal contexts. It can be formal or informal depending on the circumstances; “sublet” is often used in conversation. The original tenant generally remains bound by the terms of the head lease.
Easily confused with sublease
Both mean to rent out property that you are renting yourself, but “sublet” is more commonly used in everyday speech and informal property arrangements.
A lease is generally the primary agreement between a property owner and a tenant, whereas a sublease is a further agreement between the tenant and a subtenant.