Sublease Agreement Template

A sublease agreement is a contract between an existing tenant, known as the sublessor, and a new occupant, known as the sublessee, that allows the sublessee to rent all or part of the property for a portion of the remaining lease term. The original tenant remains responsible to the landlord under the master lease, while the sublessee is bound by the terms of the sublease agreement. Subleasing is common among tenants who need to relocate temporarily for work, study abroad, travel, or handle a family obligation but do not want to break their lease and lose their security deposit or face early termination fees.

Before entering into a sublease, the original tenant must check whether the master lease permits subletting. Many leases require the landlord's written consent before a sublease can proceed, and some prohibit it entirely. Subleasing without permission when the lease requires it can constitute a lease violation and may give the landlord grounds for eviction. Once permission is secured, the sublease agreement should clearly define the relationship between all three parties and specify that the sublessee must comply with all relevant terms of the original lease.

A comprehensive sublease agreement should include the names and contact information of the sublessor and sublessee, the property address, the start and end dates of the sublease period, the monthly rent the sublessee will pay and to whom, any security deposit required by the sublessor, a clear statement that the sublessor remains liable under the original lease, rules regarding property use and maintenance, details on what furnishings or personal property are included, and the procedure for resolving disputes. Attaching a copy of the master lease as an exhibit is a common and recommended practice so the sublessee understands the full scope of obligations. Both parties should sign the sublease and retain copies for their records.