How to Write a Sublease Agreement

A sublease is the contract that lets an existing tenant rent all or part of their space to someone else — while remaining responsible to the landlord under the original lease. That last part is what most people miss: the original tenant stays legally on the hook. A clear sublease protects the tenant, the subtenant, and the landlord.

Use our free sublease agreement template and fill in the points below.

1. Get landlord consent first

Most leases forbid subletting without written permission. Doing it anyway can be a breach and can risk eviction. Check the original lease, ask the landlord in writing, and record their consent in the sublease. The subtenant cannot receive more rights than the original tenant has.

2. Identify the property, parties, and term

Name the original tenant (sublessor), the new occupant (sublessee), the landlord if they are signing, and the full address. State whether the whole unit or just a room is being sublet, and set start and end dates that do not run past the main lease.

3. Set rent, deposit, and utilities

Write the monthly rent, due date, security deposit, and who pays which utilities. The original tenant is still paying the landlord, so the sublease rent should cover that obligation (and any extra you agreed).

4. Incorporate the original lease

State that the main lease still governs the property and that the subtenant must follow those rules (pets, occupancy, no illegal use). Attach or reference the original lease so there is no confusion.

5. Sign it — then keep copies

All parties who need to be bound should sign: at least the original tenant and the subtenant, and the landlord if consent is being recorded on the same document. Electronic signatures are valid in most places. For a standard year-long tenancy instead, see how to write a lease agreement.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Subletting rules vary by location and by the original lease; check both before you proceed.