Sublease Agreement Template

A Sublease Agreement lets a current tenant — the sublessor — rent all or part of their rented space to a new occupant, the sublessee, while the original lease stays in place. It records the property, the sublease term, the rent, a reference to the original lease, and how responsibilities are divided, and it includes a landlord consent line because most leases require the landlord's written approval before a tenant may sublet. All three parties can sign and date, so the arrangement is documented and permitted from the start.

Subletting rules vary widely, and many leases and local ordinances restrict or condition it. This template is a general-purpose layout, not legal advice. Check the original lease, your state and city rules, and any required disclosures before you sign — and confirm the landlord's written consent, since subletting without permission can breach the original lease.

How the parties use this form

A tenant leaving town for a semester sublets their apartment to cover rent while they are away, listing the sublease dates and the rent the sublessee will pay. A roommate who moves out mid-lease sublets their room to a replacement so the remaining tenants are not left covering the gap. In both cases, the sublessor references the original lease so the sublessee knows which rules they must follow, and the landlord signs the consent line so the sublet is authorized rather than a violation.

Customize the terms before signing

Open the Word (DOCX) download to enter the sublease term and rent, reference the original lease by date, and spell out who is responsible for utilities, deposits, and damage. Add or edit the responsibilities section, insert any conditions the landlord requires, and adjust the consent language. The fillable PDF is ideal when the terms are settled and everyone just needs to complete the blanks and sign — keep the all-parties signature block intact so the sublease is fully executed.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not sublet without the landlord's written consent — it is the most common way a sublease goes wrong and can breach the original lease. Do not leave the responsibilities section vague, since the sublessor usually remains liable to the landlord under the original lease. Do not skip the original lease reference, and do not forget that a sublease only binds the people who sign it, so the sublessor, sublessee, and landlord should all sign and date.

Example scenario

A tenant with six months left on a lease takes a temporary job in another city and sublets the apartment for four months at the same rent. The sublease references the original lease, states that the sublessee follows all its rules, and divides the utilities. The landlord signs the consent line, the sublessor and sublessee sign and date, and each keeps a copy. When the sublessee later has a maintenance question, everyone already knows who is responsible.

Choosing PDF or Word

This page provides a printable fillable PDF and an editable Word (DOCX) file. Use the Word file when you need to adjust the term, rent, or responsibilities before printing, and the PDF when the terms are set and everyone just needs to fill and sign. Both include a dated signature block for the sublessor, sublessee, and landlord so the sublease is ready to execute.