sublet
SUB-let
/ˌsʌbˈlɛt/
To rent all or part of a property that you are already renting from a landlord to another person.
As a verb, it is the act of renting out your leased space. As a noun, it refers to the property or the arrangement itself.
The story behind the word. The prefix 'sub-' means 'under' or 'secondary'. Combined with 'let' (an old Germanic word meaning to allow or lease out), a sublet is literally a 'secondary lease' existing under the umbrella of the primary lease.
Word relationships
- sublease: 'Sublease' is the more formal, legal term for the contract itself, while 'sublet' is more common in daily conversation.
- rent directly: Renting directly means dealing with the property owner without an intermediary tenant.
Commonly confused with
- lease: A 'lease' is a direct contract between landlord and tenant; a 'sublet' is a secondary contract between the tenant and a subtenant.
Word family
- subletter (noun): The original tenant who rents out the space.
- sublessee (noun): The person who rents the space from the original tenant.
Collocations
- sublet an apartment
- illegal sublet
- permission to sublet
Example sentences
- "She decided to sublet her room for the summer while she did an internship abroad." Summer vacation arrangement
- "The contract explicitly states that you cannot sublet the apartment without written permission." Legal warning in a contract
Memory hook
Think of a 'sub' (like a submarine, which goes under) 'letting' (renting) out a room. It's a rent agreement that sits under the main one. Sub-let: Renting *under* the main lease.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'leasing' directly from the owner; a sublet always involves an intermediate tenant who acts as a temporary landlord.
Fun facts
- In high-demand cities like New York and London, subletting has created a massive shadow economy, with some tenants making a profit by subletting rooms for more than their actual rent.
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