New York City law does not allow tenants that live in multiple dwellings (3 apartments or more) to sublet apartments for less than thirty days. Tenants must receive permission from their landlord in order to sublet their apartment by following a very technical procedure set forth by RPL 226-b.
In a standard lease, the tenant has direct obligations to the landlord including paying rent, maintaining the property, and complying with lease terms. In a sublease, the original tenant retains these responsibilities to the landlord, even after subleasing the property.
Subtenants might not adhere to the same standards or rules as the primary tenant, potentially leading to property damage or disturbances. The landlord may also have limited control over evicting subtenants. The process could be more challenging than evicting the primary tenant under the original lease.
There are many ways a sublease can benefit both parties, but overall, it has to do with flexibility. You may be looking to get out of your lease early without fees or penalties, while someone else may only need a place to live for a short while.
You are entitled to request permission to sublet from the owner, and the owner may not unreasonably refuse such permission. However, you must inform the owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, no less than 30 days prior to the proposed subletting.
Cons of Subleasing Subleasing can get legally tricky. Many lease agreements have strict rules about subletting, often requiring landlord approval. Be sure to look over your lease agreement and have a conversation with your landlord or property manager to avoid disputes and penalties.
Subletting Can Impact Property Values Parking becomes difficult, there are higher utility costs, and the neighborhood won't be as appealing to prospective buyers.
Is Subleasing the Best Option? Subleasing may be most advantageous to tenants if: Market rental rates have increased relative to the tenant's lease rates, particularly if the tenant is permitted to keep all or part of the increased rates under the sublease.