Learn the difference between assigning and subletting, and how to assign a lease to someone else
If permitted by the landlord, assigning a lease is when a tenant has a new tenant take over all or a portion of their lease. The terms and responsibilities of the lease become the responsibility of the new tenant.
Unlike assigning, subletting is when a tenant re-rents their rental unit to a third party for a portion of their lease term and is still completely responsible for the terms and responsibilities in their lease.
Assigning a lease is when a tenant has a new tenant take over all or a portion of their lease.
When a lease agreement is assigned to a new tenant, the original tenant is no longer responsible for the rental unit. All the terms and conditions of the lease become the responsibility of the new tenant. If the new tenant does not uphold their responsibilities, the landlord will serve a written complaint to the new tenant and must provide a copy to the original tenant.
Learn how to transfer the security deposit held under your name to a new tenant:
Subletting is when a tenant re-rents their rental unit to a third party for a portion of their lease term. Even if subletting is permitted, the original tenant is still completely responsible for the terms and responsibilities in their lease, such as paying the full rent amount.
The Tenant and Landlord Relations Office does not administer the relationship between the person subletting and the original tenant.
A lease agreement may require that get your landlord’s permission before assigning your lease to someone else. You can find out whether or not you need permission in section 6 of your lease agreement.
To get consent, you will need to complete a Request for Consent to Assign form and serve it to your landlord.