Sublet VS Sublease, What's The Difference?

These two words sound almost the same, but they have different rules.

Sublease Definition: A sublease is when you let someone else live in your room for a short time. You are still the main person in charge. If the new person does not pay the rent, you are the one who has to pay the landlord. You are also the person who pays if something in the house gets broken.

Sublet Definition: A sublet is usually when you move out and someone else takes your place for a long time. The new person usually talks to the landlord themselves. In many cases, you are no longer in charge of the room once the new person signs the papers.

Legal Rules: In New Jersey, you must ask your landlord before you let anyone else move into your spot. You should get their "yes" in a letter or email. If you do not ask, you could and will likely get in trouble. This applies to both sublets and subleases.

Templates and Resources: You need to get a sublet/sublease agreement in writing, a handshake deal (even between a close friend) will not do the job. To get started, you can find the Sublease Agreement Template here.