What is a "sublet" in rental agreements?

A "sublet" refers specifically to the situation where a tenant rents out their leased property to another party. This arrangement allows the original tenant (the sublessor) to transfer their right to occupy the rented space for a specified duration while still being accountable to the landlord under the original lease. The new tenant, also known as the sublessee, has the right to use the property according to the terms set forth in the sublease agreement.

In many rental agreements, tenants may seek to sublet to temporarily transfer their responsibilities, often due to personal circumstances like travel or relocation, while still retaining their lease. It’s typically a decision that requires the landlord's approval as outlined in many lease agreements.

The other options do not accurately define a sublet. For instance, renting out property to a friend without notification does not constitute a proper sublet, as it overlooks the essential step of involving the landlord or adhering to the lease terms. Similarly, a landlord renting out their property to someone else refers to a new lease rather than a sublease by the existing tenant. Lastly, a method of selling a lease agreement does not represent the subletting concept, as subleasing is about temporarily giving the rights of occupancy, not selling the lease rights