Housing paperwork

Sublease agreement generator — print-ready, free

Fill in the original tenant, subtenant, term, rent, and deposit, and print a clean residential sublease with a master-lease clause and a landlord consent signature block. Free, no signup, no paywall on the PDF.

This is general information, not legal advice. Most leases require the landlord’s written consent to sublet, and state and local rules differ — verify your lease and local law before signing or collecting rent.

Last updated: July 2026

Your name (original tenant)Subtenant name

Rental address (street, unit, city, state, ZIP)

Landlord / property managerMaster lease date (optional)

Sublease startsSublease ends

Monthly rent (USD)Rent due day (1–28)Security deposit (USD)

Utilities included in rent (optional)The unit is furnished (my furniture stays during the sublease)My landlord has consented to this sublease in writing (or my lease permits subletting) — include a landlord consent signature block

Consent & term check

Get the landlord’s consent in writing first

Most leases require the landlord’s prior written consent to sublet — and Texas requires it by statute even when the lease is silent. Subletting without it risks eviction for you and your subtenant. Check the box above once you have consent (or your lease permits subletting) and the agreement will include a landlord consent signature block.

You stay liable to your landlord for rent and damage for the entire sublease — the master lease stays fully in force.

Live preview — updates as you type

RESIDENTIAL SUBLEASE AGREEMENT

1. The Parties. This Sublease Agreement (the “Sublease”) is made between ______________________, the tenant under the Master Lease described below (the “Sublandlord”), and ______________________(the “Subtenant”).

2. The Premises. The Sublandlord subleases to the Subtenant the residential premises at ________________________________________(the “Premises”).

3. Term. The term of this Sublease begins on ______________________ and ends on ______________________, when the Subtenant will vacate and return possession of the Premises, unless the term is extended in a writing signed by both parties (and consented to by the Landlord where required).

4. Rent. The Subtenant shall pay the Sublandlord rent of $____________ USD per month, due in advance on the 1st day of each month. Utilities and services are payable as provided in the Master Lease unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.

5. Security Deposit. On signing this Sublease, the Subtenant shall pay the Sublandlord a security deposit of $____________ USD. The Sublandlord will return the deposit, less lawful deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear, with an itemized statement of any deductions, within the time required by applicable law after the end of the term.

6. Master Lease. This Sublease is subject and subordinate to the lease dated ______________________ between the Sublandlord and ______________________(the “Landlord”) for the Premises (the “Master Lease”). The Subtenant acknowledges receiving a copy of the Master Lease and agrees not to do or omit anything that would breach it. The Sublandlord remains fully responsible to the Landlord under the Master Lease, and nothing in this Sublease releases the Sublandlord from it.

7. Landlord Consent. The Sublandlord is responsible for obtaining any consent to sublet required by the Master Lease or applicable law before the term begins, and this Sublease is contingent on that consent being obtained.

8. Condition and Use. The Subtenant accepts the Premises in their present condition and will return them in the same condition, normal wear and tear excepted. The Premises will be used as a private residence only, and the Subtenant may not further sublet or assign without the prior written consent of both the Sublandlord and the Landlord.

9. Entire Agreement. This Sublease, together with the Master Lease, is the entire agreement between the parties. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Sublandlord’s Signature

Printed Name: ______________________

Date: ____________________

Subtenant’s Signature

Printed Name: ______________________

Date: ____________________

Generated with the free Brixaz sublease agreement generator (brixaz.com/tools/sublease-agreement-generator). General information, not legal advice. Your master lease, state law, and local ordinances (including rent regulation) control — verify any consent requirement before subletting.

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How the sublease agreement generator works

Enter both parties, the rental address, the term dates, the monthly rent, and the security deposit, and the agreement renders live as you type — nine numbered clauses covering the premises, term, rent and utilities, deposit, the master lease, landlord consent, condition and use, and signatures. Check the consent box once your landlord has agreed in writing and the document adds a landlord consent signature block; leave it unchecked and the consent check flags what you still need to do.

Nothing you type leaves your browser, and printing uses your browser’s built-in save-as-PDF — the same agreement many form sites put behind a paywall. Subtenant moving in mid-month? Use the prorated rent calculator to figure the first partial month.

What a sublease needs to cover

A residential sublease names both parties and the unit, sets a definite start and end date, states the rent and when it is due, records the security deposit, and — the part generic templates skip — ties itself to the master lease: the subtenant agrees not to breach it, and the original tenant stays fully responsible to the landlord.

The one-line version:

Parties + premises + definite term + rent + deposit + master-lease clause + landlord consent, all signed.

If you cannot sublet — your landlord refuses, or your lease bars it outright — the usual alternative is ending the tenancy properly instead: see the notice to vacate letter generator with state-by-state notice minimums built in.

Do you need your landlord’s permission to sublet?

Short answer: assume yes until your lease says otherwise. There is no single national rule — your lease is the first authority, and a handful of states and cities add statutory rules on top. The claims below are the ones we verified against primary sources (statute and ordinance text), last checked July 2026.

Start with your lease — most require written consent

Most residential leases prohibit subletting without the landlord’s prior written consent, and subletting in violation of that clause can get both you and your subtenant evicted. If your lease is silent, the traditional default in many states allows subletting — but a few states flip that default by statute (see Texas below), so never rely on silence without checking your state. Whatever your lease says, get the consent in writing and attach it to the sublease.

Texas: consent is required by statute, even if the lease is silent

“During the term of a lease, the tenant may not rent the leasehold to any other person without the prior consent of the landlord.” In Texas a silent lease does not help you — the statute itself requires the landlord’s prior consent.

Tex. Prop. Code § 91.005

New York: a statutory right to ask (buildings with 4+ units)

Tenants in buildings with four or more residential units have a statutory right to request consent to sublease. The request goes by certified mail (return receipt requested) with the sublease term, the proposed subtenant’s name and address, your reason and address during the sublease, the written consent of any co-tenant or guarantor, and a copy of the proposed sublease. The landlord must answer within 30 days of the mailing of the request (or of the additional information it reasonably asked for, whichever is later) — and failure to respond is deemed consent. If consent is unreasonably withheld, you may sublet in accordance with the request; if it is reasonably withheld, there is no sublet and you are not released from the lease.

N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 226-b

Chicago: reasonable subleases must be accepted, fee-free

Under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, “the landlord shall accept a reasonable sublease proposed by the tenant without an assessment of additional fees or charges.” The RLTO covers most Chicago rentals, but units in owner-occupied buildings with six or fewer units are generally exempt.

Chicago Mun. Code § 5-12-120 (RLTO)

Either way: subletting never releases you

A sublease is a contract between you and your subtenant — your lease with the landlord stays fully in force. If the subtenant stops paying or damages the unit, the landlord looks to you. Screen your subtenant like a landlord would, collect a security deposit, and keep paying the landlord yourself rather than hoping the subtenant’s payment arrives on time.

Sublease agreement FAQ

Do I need my landlord’s permission to sublet?

Usually yes. Most leases require the landlord’s prior written consent, and Texas requires consent by statute even when the lease is silent (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.005). New York tenants in buildings with 4+ units have a statutory right to request consent that cannot be unreasonably withheld (RPL § 226-b). Get consent in writing and attach it to the sublease.

What is the difference between a sublease and an assignment (lease takeover)?

In a sublease you keep your lease: the subtenant pays you, and you keep paying (and answering to) the landlord. In an assignment you hand your entire remaining lease to the new tenant, who then deals with the landlord directly. Assignments typically need separate landlord consent and different paperwork — this tool writes a sublease.

Am I still responsible for the apartment while subletting?

Yes. The master lease stays fully in force: if the subtenant misses rent or damages the unit, the landlord looks to you. That is why the agreement keeps rent flowing through you, includes a security deposit, and states that nothing releases you from the master lease.

Should I collect a security deposit from my subtenant?

Generally yes — it is your protection for damage and unpaid rent, since your own deposit stays exposed with the landlord. State deposit rules (return deadlines, itemized deduction statements) can apply to you as a sublandlord, so return it on time with an itemized list of any deductions.

Can my landlord charge a fee for the sublet?

It depends on your lease and local law. In Chicago, the RLTO requires landlords to accept a reasonable sublease “without an assessment of additional fees or charges” (§ 5-12-120). Elsewhere, a lease may lawfully condition consent on a reasonable fee. Rent-regulated units (for example, NYC rent stabilization) have additional rules on subletting and what you can charge — check before setting the rent.

Is this sublease agreement legally binding?

A sublease signed by both parties is generally an enforceable contract, but it cannot override your master lease or state and local law — and subletting without required consent can void it in practice and expose everyone to eviction. This tool provides general information, not legal advice; have a local attorney review anything high-stakes.

Next step

Agreement drafted? Fill the room

An empty room costs you full rent every month. Post it on Brixaz free — $0 fees, no commissions, direct contact with local renters — or browse rooms and sublets near you. Splitting the place with roommates in the meantime? The rent split calculator keeps the shares fair, and the roommate agreement generator puts the house rules in writing.

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