Definition of "Sublease"

Pam  Gabriel real estate agent

Written by

Pam Gabrielelite badge icon

RE/MAX Lakefront Realty Inc

If you came here looking for the Sublease definition, chances are that you know what it means, but you need more information about it, with scenarios and facts to better grasp it. That’s why we’re here!

The obvious and stiff sublease definition is that of a lease agreement between the lessee of an original lease, and a new lessee. For example: John signs a lease for an apartment with its owner Brian that allows John to sublease it to another person if desired. John unexpectedly is offered a position in Europe and, whether out of fear of not liking it and deciding to get back or because his bilateral contract with Brian would require him to pay off a large early termination fee he is not willing to pay – John decides to sublease the apartment for the remaining term of the original lease to a friend called Regina.

The thing is: the sublease represents the agreement between John and Regina. Brian, the original lessor, is *not* a party to the sublease. Any dispute between owner Brian and lessee John typically cannot be passed on to lessee Regina, just like any dispute between Regina and John cannot be passed on to its owner Brian. Because of that confusion and lack of accountability, most renters frown upon and do not accept any subleases to their properties.

A sublease is not illegal. Actually; it’s not a matter of being legal or illegal – it’s up to whoever is the real estate owner to tell them how their home is to be used. However, because of shared responsibilities, there are some cases where, even if the homeowner is fine with a sublease, he or she might not go forward with the idea because the Homeowner’s Association (HOA) does not permit subleasing – typically over claims that the lack of accountability and control that subleases provide produces instability, lack of safety, and, ultimately, devalues the properties within the Homeowner’s Association.

Real Estate tips:

How about that sublease definition? Now you got a better grasp at it, right? We’ll bet you a real estate agent can bring even more insight into that; contact one now!

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Holding pool of mortgages. It is marketed as a tax exempt mortgage backed security for investors. ...

Condemnation is a process by which private property is taken for the purpose of public use. Prior to the taking, the property is said to be “condemned property”, meaning that it has ...

Style of architecture introduced into America prior to the Civil War and modeled after Renaissance Country homes in northern Italy. They were usually relatively large brick houses. Italian ...

Building a structure in such a way as to reduce the process of destruction in the event of fire. Fire-resistant materials are used. ...

The American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association (AREUEA) is a non-profit association founded in 1964, during the Allied Social Science Association located in Chicago. Important to ...

Section of the Internal Revenue Code applies to assets used in a trade or business,. In general, gains on section 1231 assets are taxed at capital gains rates, and losses are considered ...

A mortgage loan where the bank provides the mortgagor the required funds to purchase property the bank has obtained through foreclosure on outstanding mortgages. For example, John obtains a ...

The term “property title” is relatively common and often used in the real estate industry, which is why it’s useful to know what it really means. While the term itself is ...

List of architectural design items needing to be corrected and resolved prior to finalizing a building design. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions