Assignment
Page last updated: August 22, 2026 · How we source & update
Transferring your entire lease to someone else, who steps into your place and takes on your rights and obligations. In practice most leases require written landlord approval first. It does not mean a sublet: in an assignment you normally step out of the lease entirely, while a sublet leaves you still on it.
Why does this matter to renters?
It differs from a sublet and usually needs landlord consent — the details protect you from lingering liability.
What does this look like in practice?
Handing your lease to a new tenant for the rest of the term is an assignment.
What can I do if this comes up?
Read the lease for an assignment clause and ask the landlord for permission in writing before anyone moves in. Get the landlord’s written approval, the new tenant’s signature, and a written release of your own obligations, because without a release you may still be responsible if the new tenant stops paying.