Yes, they can. If you sublet your unit without your landlord's consent, they have the right to ask you to leave. Subletting without permission can be a violation of the lease agreement, and landlords have the authority to enforce the terms of the lease.
(a) A tenant renting a residence pursuant to an existing lease in a dwelling having four or more residential units shall have the right to sublease his premises subject to the written consent of the landlord in advance of the subletting. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Subletting is risky. It comes with the same risks as taking on a roommate, except both people won't be there to deal with problems as they arise. If a tenant's subletter skips town or damages the apartment, the tenant is jointly and severally liable with them and could get stuck with the bill.
Real Property Law Section 226-b in conjunction with the Rent Stabilization Law gives tenants the right to sublease their apartment for a period of two out of every four years. In order to sublease an apartment, it is necessary that prior to the subleasing that the apartment be the tenants' primary residence.
A sublet, or sublease agreement, adds someone new to an existing lease. Usually the new person (subletter) replaces someone who is moving out (sublessor or sublessee) but it can also happen with any new person being added to a lease.
Consent from the landlord A tenant must get a landlord's written permission to sub-let or transfer any part of the property. If a tenant does this without consent, they are breaching the terms of the tenancy agreement.
If they do not leave, then you will need to evict them by filing suit. Your only other option is to vacate and then the landlord will have to evict them.
Step 1: Check your lease Check your rental agreement or lease documentation for specific rules on subletting your apartment. Step 2: Send landlord a letter Send your landlord or building manager a certified letter asking permission to sublet, and wait for approval. Keep copies of all communications.
San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley passed laws to protect renters in roommate/subletting situations. If you live in one of these cities, your landlord can neither deny you the right to nor evict you for replacing a roommate or subletting a room without their consent.