Subtenant

A subtenant is a person who rents property from a tenant (the original renter) rather than directly from the landlord. This arrangement occurs when a tenant subleases their rented space, granting another individual the right to occupy all or part of the premises. The subtenant's rights are derived from the original lease agreement between the landlord and the tenant, meaning they are bound by its terms and conditions. The tenant, acting as the sub-lessor, remains responsible to the landlord for the rent and any damages. The practice is subject to conditions outlined in the original lease and local laws.

Subtenant meaning with examples

• Sarah, the primary tenant, decided to travel abroad for six months. To cover her rent, she found a subtenant, Emily, who agreed to occupy her apartment for the duration. Emily paid rent directly to Sarah, who remained responsible for the lease with the landlord and any damages. She also made Emily aware of all the lease terms.
• The office space rental agreement included a clause that prohibited subletting. Despite this, Mark, the tenant, secretly brought in a subtenant without notifying the landlord, violating the terms of his lease. This violation could lead to eviction because the landlord has no relationship with the subtenant.
• After finding a smaller apartment, John, the primary tenant, decided to sublease his larger one to a subtenant while he finishes moving. He made sure to draft a formal sublease agreement that detailed all the tenant rights and responsibilities, as well as the rent, and any other applicable clauses of the original lease.
• During her internship in the city, Maria found an affordable room by becoming a subtenant in a shared house. The original tenant, the one who rented the entire house, had the authority to rent the other rooms to sublet to other people. She was aware of the sublease requirements.