sublet
sub-LET
/ˌsʌbˈlet/
To lease or rent all or part of a property that one is already renting to another tenant.
Common among university students leaving campus during summer breaks or study-abroad semesters.
The story behind the word. Combines the Latin prefix 'sub-' (under, secondary) with the Germanic verb 'let' (in the specialized property sense of allowing occupancy for rent). It emerged in 19th-century British tenancy law.
Word relationships
- sublease: 'Sublease' is used virtually synonymously, though 'sublease' functions more often as a formal legal noun.
- re-rent: 'Re-rent' is informal descriptive English rather than standard real-estate terminology.
- direct lease: Renting directly from the property owner.
Commonly confused with
- subject: 'Subject' refers to topic or subordinate citizen; 'sublet' refers to secondary renting.
Word family
- subletter (noun): The primary tenant who sublets property to someone else.
- subtenant (noun): The person renting from the primary tenant.
Collocations
- sublet an apartment
- illegal sublet
- sublet agreement
- summer sublet
Example sentences
- "She decided to sublet her apartment during the summer semester while interning in New York." Housing forum post
- "Tenants are not permitted to sublet their rooms without express written permission from the landlord." Lease agreement clause
Memory hook
Sub-lease = Rent under another tenant. Sub (under) + Let (rent) = Secondary rent.
When not to use
Do not use if the property owner is renting directly to the initial primary tenant (that is just 'renting' or 'leasing').
Fun facts
- Unauthorized subletting in major cities like London and New York can lead to immediate lease termination and hefty financial penalties.
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