assignment of lease and sublease

What is Assignment of Lease and How It Differs from Subletting

The assignment of lease (and rent) is a foggy topic that is often confused with subletting. Let's clear the air once and all right now. Learn the differences between a lease assignment and sublease so you can make the right choice.

What is Assignment of Lease? - The Important Basics

Let's begin by introducing the 3 players in a lease assignment - The landlord, the original tenant (assignor) and the new tenant (assignee). The original tenant has an unexpired lease agreement with the landlord and he wants out. Since the original tenant can't just break the agreement and walk off, what he does is to get a new tenant to swap places... and take over all his rights and obligations for the remainder of the lease period. So if the original tenant signs a 1 year commercial lease and the business goes bust after 8 months, the new tenant will be assigned a 4-month commercial lease (with the same terms and conditions as the original agreement). Now here's the big catch: Even though the original tenant has handed over all his duties and obligations to the new tenant, he is not off the hook... unless the landlord agrees to release him from all liabilities. If the new tenant stirs up trouble, our dear original tenant will find himself in hot soup as well. Of course, whether the original tenant is allowed to pull this assignment trick out of his hat is a whole new matter. Knowing for sure is actually simpler than most people think: First, examine your local landlord tenant laws for any lease assignment rules. Most of the time, landlords are given the right to allow or disallow assignments but once in a while, the local law let tenants have the final say instead. If there's no mention of lease assignments in your law text, then your rental lease agreement shall dictate the terms.

Difference Between Lease Assignment and Subletting

When it comes to subletting vs assignment of lease, there's often a massive mix-up. Sometimes even real estate professional get it wrong by assuming them to be one and same thing. However if you dig deeper, you will find that the differences are not just numerous, but important as well. Let's begin by dragging the landlord into the picture. An assignment of lease launches the new tenant into a direct relationship with the landlord - The landlord collects rent straight from the new tenant and deals with the new tenant directly on all lease issues. So in this case, the original tenant gets to take back seat and doesn't have to manage the new tenant actively. On the other hand, there's no direct relationship between the landlord and new tenant (subtenant) in a sublease. Instead the original tenant plays mother goose and is responsible for collecting rent from the subtenant and making sure that he's following the lease rules. When you compare the two, a sublease is a lot more hands-on for the original tenant. No matter which path you take, you will still want a good new tenant who pays the rent on time and follows the lease rules to the agreement. For the golden rules on screening tenants and running credit checks, Click here for our guide to running tenant credit checks. When you have a lease assignment, the terms and conditions of the lease remains largely unchanged - It's almost like taking the original lease agreement and swapping the tenant's name with another. With a sublease, there's more breathing space - The original tenant can decide how much rent to charge, how long the subtenant is going to stay or even collect security deposit... as long as it stays within the boundaries drawn by the original lease agreement between the landlord and original tenant.

Should You Choose Assignment of Lease or Sublease?

You are the Landlord - A lease assignment is recommended in most cases. You will have more control over your new tenant (instead of leaving matters in the original tenant's hands and hoping that he would do a good job)... plus you still have the original tenant to cover your back in case anything goes wrong. You are the Original Tenant - Now this is a tricky one. If you want to someone to take over the entire lease and property for its remaining duration (e.g. your business goes belly-up and you no longer need the office), then help yourself to a lease assignment. If the landlord's consent is required for assignment (and he doesn't give the nod), you can always try offering him a lease assignment fee as a deal sweetener. However, if you are looking for someone to share the place (and rent)... or perhaps you need someone to cover the rent while you are overseas for a few short months, then a sublease would be ideal. You are the New Tenant - An assignment of lease works better for you most of the time. You won't be at the mercy of the original tenant (for example if he screws up and the landlord terminates the original lease agreement, your sublease might also go up in flames). But if you only want to rent part of the property... or don't want to tie yourself down for the remaining lease duration, then you are better off sticking to a sublease. Now that we have covered the topic of assignment vs sublease, go ahead and take your pick - Click here for an assignment of lease form or Click here for a sublet agreement instead.

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Assignment of Lease

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What is an assignment of lease.

The assignment of lease is a title document that transfers all rights possessed by a lessee or tenant to a property to another party. The assignee takes the assignor’s place in the landlord-tenant relationship.

You can view an example of a lease assignment here .

How Lease Assignment Works

In cases where a tenant wants to or needs to get out of their lease before it expires, lease assignment provides a legal option to assign or transfer rights of the lease to someone else. For instance, if in a commercial lease a business leases a place for 12 months but the business moves or shuts down after 10 months, the person can transfer the lease to someone else through an assignment of the lease. In this case, they will not have to pay rent for the last two months as the new assigned tenant will be responsible for that.

However, before the original tenant can be released of any responsibilities associated with the lease, other requirements need to be satisfied. The landlord needs to consent to the lease transfer through a “License to Assign” document. It is crucial to complete this document before moving on to the assignment of lease as the landlord may refuse to approve the assignment.

Difference Between Assignment of Lease and Subletting

A transfer of the remaining interest in a lease, also known as assignment, is possible when implied rights to assign exist. Some leases do not allow assignment or sharing of possessions or property under a lease. An assignment ensures the complete transfer of the rights to the property from one tenant to another.

The assignor is no longer responsible for rent or utilities and other costs that they might have had under the lease. Here, the assignee becomes the tenant and takes over all responsibilities such as rent. However, unless the assignee is released of all liabilities by the landlord, they remain responsible if the new tenant defaults.

A sublease is a new lease agreement between the tenant (or the sublessor) and a third-party (or the sublessee) for a portion of the lease. The original lease agreement between the landlord and the sublessor (or original tenant) still remains in place. The original tenant still remains responsible for all duties set under the lease.

Here are some key differences between subletting and assigning a lease:

• Under a sublease, the original lease agreement still remains in place.
• The original tenant retains all responsibilities under a sublease agreement.
• A sublease can be for less than all of the property, such as for a room, general area, portion of the leased premises, etc.
• Subleasing can be for a portion of the lease term. For instance, a tenant can sublease the property for a month and then retain it after the third-party completes their month-long sublet.
• Since the sublease agreement is between the tenant and the third-party, rent is often negotiable, based on the term of the sublease and other circumstances.
• The third-party in a sublease agreement does not have a direct relationship with the landlord.
• The subtenant will need to seek consent of both the tenant and the landlord to make any repairs or changes to the property during their sublease.

Here is more on an assignment of lease here .

Parties Involved in Lease Assignment

There are three parties involved in a lease assignment – the landlord or owner of the property, the assignor and the assignee. The original lease agreement is between the landlord and the tenant, or the assignor. The lease agreement outlines the duties and responsibilities of both parties when it comes to renting the property. Now, when the tenant decides to assign the lease to a third-party, the third-party is known as the assignee. The assignee takes on the responsibilities laid under the original lease agreement between the assignor and the landlord. The landlord must consent to the assignment of the lease prior to the assignment.

For example, Jake is renting a commercial property for his business from Paul for two years beginning January 2013 up until January 2015. In January 2014, Jake suffers a financial crisis and has to close down his business to move to a different city. Jake doesn’t want to continue paying rent on the property as he will not be using it for a year left of the lease. Jake’s friend, John would soon be turning his digital business into a brick-and-mortar store. John has been looking for a space to kick start his venture. Jake can assign his space for the rest of the lease term to John through an assignment of lease. Jake will need to seek the approval of his landlord and then begin the assignment process. Here, Jake will be the assignor who transfers all his lease related duties and responsibilities to John, who will be the assignee.

You can read more on lease agreements here .

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Assignment of Lease From Seller to Buyer

In case of a residential property, a landlord can assign his leases to the new buyer of the building. The landlord will assign the right to collect rent to the buyer. This will allow the buyer to collect any and all rent from existing tenants in that property. This assignment can also include the assignment of security deposits, if the parties agree to it. This type of assignment provides protection to the buyer so they can collect rent on the property.

The assignment of a lease from the seller to a buyer also requires that all tenants are made aware of the sale of the property. The buyer-seller should give proper notice to the tenants along with a notice of assignment of lease signed by both the buyer and the seller. Tenants should also be informed about the contact information of the new landlord and the payment methods to be used to pay rent to the new landlord.

You can read more on buyer-seller lease assignments here .

Get Help with an Assignment of Lease

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Loi Laing is a seasoned contract lawyer with a meticulous eye for detail and a passion for delivering excellence. Currently a legal consultant for KPMG, most recently she has also worked in San Francisco for Silicon Valley startups. Holding a Juris Doctorate from Florida State University College of Law, Loi has also studied law at Oxford University and the University of the West Indies. Throughout her career, Loi has a proven track record in meticulously reviewing and drafting contracts across various legal domains. She possesses a robust legal foundation that spans commercial business, tech, entertainment, and real estate law.

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• Handling Subleases and Assignments as a Landlord

After you have completed the often long process of screening and moving in a new tenant, sometimes tenants inform you that they wish to end their lease early, typically due to reasons such as a job change or moving in with a significant other. This can be disheartening when you have put in the work to get the vacancy filled, and it may be tempting to minimize the additional work you may have to do to get the unit rented again by agreeing to a tenant’s proposal to sublease or assign their tenancy to a new person of their choosing. While there can be benefits to subleases and assignments, and in some places you cannot outright ban or unreasonably refuse a sublease, there are some pitfalls to be aware of with both options, as well as an alternative that may be preferable. It has also become increasingly popular for tenants to use their units for short-term vacation rentals, a practice which additionally carries a number of downsides for landlords.

When a tenant wants to leave their lease early or temporarily, and proposes to have a substitute tenant of their choosing live in the rental in their place and pay rent to the original tenant, this is called a sublease. For example, your original tenant may be a college student who plans to study abroad for a semester, but wishes to return after that. Another example may be if the original tenant wishes to rent out part of the unit, perhaps just one bedroom, in order to help them cover their expenses. In order to give you more control of these situations should they arise, it is best to have a clause in your lease specifying whether subleases are allowed, and if so, setting forth a requirement for the tenant to obtain your written permission or meet other criteria before subleasing the rental. Be sure to check state and local law regarding subleases, as some jurisdictions do not allow you to unreasonably deny requests to sublease, even if your individual lease does not permit them. It is also wise to require a subtenant to undergo the same screening process as the original tenant with regard to credit history, income, and other factors, but as always you should not make your decisions based on discriminatory factors.

Landlords should thoroughly screen potential subtenants and assignees even if the time left on a lease or periodic rental agreement is short. A bad subtenant or assignee can wreak a lot of havoc in a short amount of time or even refuse to leave once the lease or rental agreement is up.

The primary advantage of allowing a sublease is that you will presumably have an uninterrupted stream of income for the rental unit, which won’t sit vacant while you find a new tenant. Especially if the sublease request has come from a good and trustworthy long term tenant, then it may be worthwhile to grant the request and trust their judgment regarding who the subtenant is, subject to meeting your screening requirements. Your original tenant will also remain responsible for any failure to pay rent during the subtenancy, as well as any damage to the property. The downsides of allowing a sublease include that because the original tenant, rather than you, will be the subtenant’s landlord, it may be difficult to enforce the terms of the lease in the event of any violations. The subtenant may also refuse to leave at the agreed-upon time, potentially making it necessary for you to evict both them and the original tenant.

Assignments

An assignment is similar to a sublease in that it involves someone new taking the place of the original tenant, but the original tenant in these cases does not intend to return. The assignee assumes the legal place of the original tenant in the lease, meaning that they are renting from you rather than the original tenant. This means that the assignee is typically responsible for all of the original tenant’s general obligations under the lease, which allows you to pursue legal action against them in the event of a violation. Further, if the assignee fails to pay rent , you can actually pursue payment from the original tenant. Therefore, an assignment allows you the advantage of an uninterrupted supply of income for the unit without requiring you to do as much work to find a new tenant, and permits you to hold the original tenant responsible if the assignee does not follow through on their obligation to pay rent.

• The original tenant remains liable for the rent (the subtenant is liable to the original tenant)
• The original tenant remains liable for lease violations
• The landlord must evict the original tenant in order to evict the subtenant

Assignment:

• The assignee becomes liable for the rent, and the original tenant is only liable if the assignee does not pay
• The assignee becomes liable for lease violations
• The assignee can be evicted for any reason for which the original tenant could have been evicted

Creating a New Tenancy

While allowing a sublease or assignment may be advisable in some situations, in many cases the best and simplest option is to terminate the original tenant’s lease in writing and begin a new lease with the new tenant. This may still allow you to take advantage of the original tenant’s legwork in identifying a replacement tenant provided that the new tenant meets your requirements, but gives all the parties the added benefit of clarity when it comes to the legal relationship between you and the new tenant, especially if things go awry after they move in.

Short-Term Rentals

Particularly in competitive rental markets and large cities, tenants are turning to short-term rental services like Airbnb to rent out the units they themselves rent, and make a profit by collecting a fee from their guests. Many landlords disfavor this practice due to the increased wear and tear on the rental, people they haven’t screened using their property, and possible liability issues, among other things. Further, a number of cities have begun to highly regulate if not outright prohibit short-term vacation rentals of this nature. If you do not wish to allow tenants to host short-term vacation renters, once you have checked your local laws on the topic, it is best to clearly prohibit this practice in your written lease or rental agreement, and distinguish this type of rental from more standard subleases.

Last reviewed October 2023

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Key terms and definitions

Obtaining landlord permission, tenants and subtenants responsibilities and liabilities, protecting the tenant from sublease pitfalls, putting the agreement in writing, alternatives to subleasing, final takeaways, templates and examples to download in word and pdf formats, tenants and subtenants obligations under a sublease agreement.

From finding a new job in another state to returning home to care for a sick family member to taking the big step of moving in with a new partner, many people find themselves in a situation where they need to cancel their existing lease so they can move somewhere else. Unfortunately, many landlords are reluctant to cancel existing leases, since that puts them in the position of potentially losing money while they look for a new tenant to fill the space. However, there is a solution that is workable for tenants while also being amenable to many landlords: a Sublease Agreement , also known as a sublet. There are many misconceptions about how subleases work and the responsibilities of people involved. This guide will walk through the most important terms to know and the main issues to be aware of when creating a sublease arrangement:

1. Differences between a sublease and an assignment

2. How to get permission from a landlord to sublet

3. Responsibilities and liabilities of the tenant and subtenant

4. Protective measures for the tenant

5. Sublease alternatives

There are many terms used in subleasing that are often used interchangeably and in confusing ways. However, the key distinction is between subleases and assignments . Both of these can be easily created, but have different legal implications and responsibilities for the involved parties that will be explored further in this guide.

What is a "sublease"?

A Sublease Agreement involves a transfer of less than all of the lease . For example, if a person living alone in a leased two bedroom apartment decides to rent out the spare bedroom to a new roommate, that would be a sublease. Or, if a person rents their whole apartment to someone for a couple of months while they travel for the Summer, but then return to the apartment in the Fall, that would also be considered a sublease. The main parties involved in a sublease are:

1. the original tenant , also known as the sublessor , who is the person who first rented the property and plans to rent the space to a new renter, and

2. the subtenant , also known as the sublessee , who is the person who rents their property from the sublessor.

What is an "assignment"?

An Assignment Agreement involves the entire remainder of the lease being transferred to a new tenant. For example, if someone was required to move to a new state for their job and a new tenant takes over the remaining six months on their lease, that would be called an assignment. The main parties involved in an assignment are:

1. the assignor , who is the person who originally rented the property, and

2. the assignee , who is the person renting the property from the assignor and taking over the remainder of their lease.

The first, and most important step, in arranging a sublease or assignment agreement is getting permission from the landlord. The landlord must consent to the arrangement and put this consent in writing using a Consent to Sublease form. If a tenant does not get the consent of the landlord, they leave both themselves and their subtenant or assignee in danger. The landlord would have the option of evicting the tenant, in the case of a sublease, or evicting the assignee, in the case of an assignment, for violation of the original lease agreement. Further, the landlord would feel less obligated to correct defects with the property, such as fixing leaky faucets or broken appliances, given that they do not have a valid agreement with the subtenant or assignee to provide these services.

Unless it says otherwise, when the lease prohibits tenants from subletting or assigning without their landlord's consent, ordinarily the landlord can arbitrarily refuse to permit a sublease or assignment according to their own discretion . However, some states and many leases now provide that the landlord must not unreasonably refuse to give consent to a sublease or assignment. In these instances, if the tenant is able to find a new person who will be at least as good a tenant -- able to pay rent on time, not play the stereo too loud, and follow the other agreements in the lease -- the landlord must accept that person as a subtenant.

If a person's lease prohibits them from assigning the lease without permission from the landlord but does not mention anything about subletting, would that person still be able to sublet the apartment to their friend? Yes, if the lease states only that an assignment is forbidden, the person would still be able to sublet their apartment. Conversely, if the lease prohibits only subletting, the tenant would be able to assign the lease without their landlord's approval. Both actions are prohibited only if the lease says that the tenant cannot sublease the property OR assign the lease without the landlord's consent. Note, however, that some cities, such as New York, have ordinances regulating subleases that take precedence over private agreements.

When subleasing an apartment, the original tenant should try their best to find a person who they think is trustworthy and will continue to pay the rent. The main reason for doing this is that the original tenant remains responsible for making sure the rent gets paid . The subtenant usually does not have to answer to the landlord, only the original tenant; the landlord can generally only sue the original tenant for the rent . If the subtenant does not pay the rent on time, the landlord can start eviction proceedings against the original tenant. If the subtenant owes several months of back rent, the original tenant is responsible for making sure it is paid. In the same way, the original tenant is responsible for making sure the rental is in good shape even if they are not currently living there.

What can a tenant do if they end up paying for the outstanding rent or damage a subtenant did to the property? The tenant can then go to the subtenant to ask that they be reimbursed for this money and take them to small claims court if they refuse to pay.

Unlike in a sublease, in an assignment, if the assignee fails to pay the rent, the landlord can go directly after the assignee for the unpaid rent . The landlord can also sue the assignee for any damage to the apartment that they are responsible for. Be aware, however, that the landlord can still sue the assignor, or original tenant, as well, even if the landlord consented to the assignment. The landlord has their choice of who to go to when they are looking to get paid.

Before subleasing a property or assigning a lease, the original tenant should make sure their subtenant or assignee is a responsible person who will pay the rent on time and will not damage the apartment. In a sublease or assignment, the original tenant essentially steps into the role of landlord to their subtenant or assignee. Therefore, it's important for them to protect themselves the same way a landlord would. When entering into sublease or assignment agreements, the original tenant often puts protective measures in place , including requiring payment of a security deposit, often equal to at least one month's rent, and putting the terms and agreements of the sublease in writing, including details like the length of the sublease or assignment, the amount of rent, when and to whom it must be paid, late charges, payment for damages, and so on.

Since the original tenant is acting as a landlord when subleasing, they are bound by some of the same laws that apply to the landlord . For example, each state has different rules and guidelines about the maximum amount that may be charged for a security deposit. In most cases, the original tenant may not reenter the property without giving appropriate notice to the subtenant. However, particular to assignments, those agreements often include a provision that the original tenant has the right to reenter the property and retake possession of it if the assignee fails to pay the rent. This gives the assignor some additional protection if the assignee defaults on the lease.

Once all parties, including the original tenant, subtenant, and landlord agree to the sublease or assignment, it should be put in writing. A written agreement works to protect all of the parties and their rights and obligations under the lease agreement . An oral agreement is enforceable in some states, but in all cases is subject to potential misunderstandings and challenges in court. A written Lease Assignment Agreement is usually relatively brief since it incorporates all of the provisions included in the original Residential Lease Agreement or Commercial Lease Agreement . A Sublease Agreement is more extensive and includes specifics related to when and to whom rent payments will be made, whether the subtenant will pay a security deposit to the original tenant and if so the method and amount of that payment, who will receive notices related to the rental. Once a Sublease Agreement or Lease Assignment Agreement has been put into writing, it should be signed by all involved parties. The Agreement must always be signed by the tenant and subtenant or assignee. However, the document may also be signed by the landlord to serve as a written record that the landlord grants their permission and is aware of the arrangement.

What if a tenant must move out of their rental property for some reason, say, six months before the lease expires, but they don't want to worry about the potential hassle and risk of finding a subtenant or assignee? The lease may give the tenant the right to cancel their lease by giving a certain amount of notice, usually two to three months. In a month-to-month lease, the tenant usually must give only thirty days notice. If the lease does not allow for this, the tenant has the option of finding a new tenant, subject to their landlord's approval, and the tenant's own trouble and expense. When the tenant finds a suitable person, they can ask their landlord to sign a document releasing them from their original lease . The landlord will then have the new tenant pay a deposit and sign a new lease. If the landlord agrees to do this, the original tenant will no longer be liable for the rent or acts of the new tenant. This solution is often acceptable to reasonable landlords.

Subleasing can be a great option for someone looking to move somewhere else, either temporarily or permanently, while they are in the middle of their current lease term. Here are the most important things to remember when setting up a sublease or assignment agreement:

• A sublease is a transfer of less than all of the lease; an assignment is a transfer of the entire remainder of the lease.
• The landlord must grant their permission for the sublease or assignment in writing if the tenant wants to protect themselves from future liability.
• In a sublease, the landlord can only go after the original tenant for rent or damages owed by the subtenant; in an assignment, the landlord can go after either the original tenant or the assignee.
• The original tenant can use measures such as collecting a security deposit to protect themselves in case the subtenant or asignee fails to pay the rent or causes damages.
• The best way to protect all involved parties is to put the agreement in writing.

About the Author: Malissa Durham is a Legal Templates Programmer and Attorney at Wonder .Legal and is based in the U.S.A.

• Sublease Agreement
• Lease Assignment Agreement
• Consent to Sublease

Navigating the assignment of a residential lease

A landlord can assign his leases to a new buyer of his building. Likewise, a tenant may be able to assign his lease if he needs to relocate. Find out how to assign your lease and what you can do to protect yourself when doing so.

by   Ronna L. DeLoe, Esq.

Ronna L. DeLoe is a freelance writer and a published author who has written hundreds of legal articles. She does...

Read more...

Updated on: December 4, 2023 · 3min read

Assignment of lease by the tenant

Assignment of lease vs. sublease, assignment of lease by the landlord.

As a tenant, you may want to get out of your residential lease without paying the remaining rent. Likewise, if you're a landlord and sell your rental property, the buyer must now collect rent from the tenants, who may have no idea you sold the property. In both situations, assignment of a lease with a release for the tenant and assignment of leases with notice by the landlord accomplish these goals.

If you're the tenant and want to leave before the end of your lease term, you may be able to assign your lease to a third party if the landlord doesn't let you out of the lease. The third party then becomes the new tenant, who is bound by the terms of the original lease and pays rent to the landlord.

Most often, the lease won't permit assignment without the landlord's approval, but leases often state that the landlord cannot unreasonably withhold consent. As long as you produce a tenant who's shown a history of payment under prior leases and has been a model tenant, a landlord should consent to assignment.

The assignment of lease form should include places for the tenant-assignor, the new tenant-assignee, and the landlord to sign. If the master lease allows assignment, then the tenant doesn't need the landlord's permission; the tenant can sign an assignment of lease agreement without the landlord's signature.

If the landlord allows an assignment of the lease, you, as the tenant, also want him to sign a release stating that you're not responsible for the new tenant's failure to pay or for any damage she causes. Without such a release, you may still be liable for both.

When you, as the tenant, assign the lease, you sign an agreement that either reads “Assignment of Lease," “Lease Assumption Agreement," or “Assignment and Assumption Agreement." An assumption of the lease means that the new tenant assumes your obligations, such as paying rent and keeping the apartment in good condition.

An assignment of a lease transfers the tenant's entire rights in the property to a third party. With a sublease, on the other hand, the tenant transfers only a portion of the remaining lease. For example, if the original tenant has six months remaining on his lease and he gives the entire six months to a third party, the tenant is permanently assigning his rights to live on the property to the third party. If, however, the tenant allows that third party to stay at the premises for only three months, and the tenant intends to return after three months, he is subleasing the premises.

A landlord can assign the right to collect rent to someone who has purchased the property. An assignment of lease from the seller to the buyer allows the new landlord to collect rent from any and all current tenants in the building. The language in the landlord's assignment of lease agreement can include assignment of security deposits, if the parties agree to it. An assignment of leases by the landlord to the buyer affords protection to the buyer so he can collect rent.

An assignment of leases by the landlord to the buyer is meaningless if tenants aren't aware the landlord sold the property, which is why it's important for the assignor-landlord to give tenants proper notice. A notice of assignment of lease, which is a form signed by both the assignor-landlord and the assignee, or new landlord, is one way to give notice. Another way is to send a letter on the landlord's letterhead. Either way, the notice must include the new landlord's address and how rent is to be paid.

Both landlords and tenants who become assignors should sign a formal assignment of lease agreement, which an online service provider can prepare for you. If you're the tenant who has assigned your lease, try to get a release or you'll still be liable to the landlord. If you're the landlord, make sure you can count on the new tenant to pay the rent before you release the primary tenant from his obligations under the lease.

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Assigning vs. Subletting A Commercial Lease

Most commercial lease arrangements allow tenants to rent-out their usable space to a third-party renter.  Although this can be a cost-effective way to maximize commercial space, tenants must be careful: when a tenant decides to rent part or all of their commercial space to a third-party, they are fully responsible for the actions or inactions of the new renter.

When it comes to commercial real estate, a legally-binding agreement is often signed between a landlord and a tenant.  But when the tenant decides to sublet or assign their lease to a third-party, they become the sublessor, while the new third-party renter becomes the sublessee.  Sometimes, the sublessor and sublessee are referred to the primary and secondary tenant respectively.  

In any case, there’s only one legally liable party in the sublessor-sublessee relationship: the sublessor.  In other words, should the sublessee damage the property or fall-behind on payments, compensating the landlord is the primary tenant’s legal obligation.  Nonetheless, choosing a trustworthy and reliable third-party renter often results in a winning situation for both parties. 

Get a Lawyer to Review Your Lease

Can I Rent Out my Commercial Unit?

In most instances, tenants are indeed allowed to rent their commercial space to third-party renters.  However, this is usually up to the discretion of the landlord.  Likewise, subletting must be done in-compliance with local state- and municipal-laws.  

Before making any commitments to potential renters, tenants should ensure they are legally allowed to rent their usable space.  This determination often depends on three factors:

• State- and Municipal-Regulations 
• The Original Commercial Lease Agreement
• Landlord Consent

First—and perhaps foremost—tenants should review their local housing regulations.   Some areas require a landlord’s written-consent before tenants can sublet or assign their lease.  Even when states don’t make landlord-consent a prerequisite, landlords themselves often write provisions into the original lease that ensures permission is granted before subletting.  Thus, you’ll need to revisit the terms and conditions of your original commercial lease agreement.   

The original lease should contain specific language about subletting, however these provisions are oftentimes absent.  If subletting provisions are indeed missing, you’ll need to speak to the landlord directly.  So long as the landlord’s permission is granted and the arrangements are compliant with local laws, tenants are allowed to rent-out their unit to whom every they wish.  Primary tenants that meet these requirements typically have two options: they can 1) sublet their commercial lease, or 2) assign their commercial lease.

Subletting vs. Assigning the Lease

Subletting and assigning are two different ways to structure the relationship between a primary and secondary tenant.  Although the structures are similar, they have important practical differences.  

• Lease-Assignment: the complete transfer of rental rights from a primary tenant to a third-party renter (importantly, the primary tenant is still responsible for the terms of the original lease)
• Subletting:  the partial transfer of rental rights from a primary tenant to a third-party renter, usually for a temporary period of time or for only a portion of the usable space

When a tenant assigns their lease to a third-party renter, they are offering the entirety of their usable space without the intention of returning.  This is unlike a conventional sublease structure, which offers only part of the unit and usually for a temporary period of time.  

Why would a business owner want to assign their commercial lease?  Importantly, a tenant is legally obligated to carry-out the terms of their commercial lease agreement, regardless of the circumstances.  Lease-assignment is practical when original tenants cannot—for whatever reason—uphold their end of the lease.  For example, if a business owner signs a 3-year commercial lease, but goes out of business 2-years into the agreement, they’ll likely seek somebody to complete the final 12-months of the term. 

On the other hand, if a primary tenant is only interested in splitting their usable space or looking for a temporary third-party renter, subletting is the more practical option.  

Who is the Responsible Party?

The commercial lease between the landlord and tenant is a legally-binding document.  Regardless of the tenant’s situation, they are required by-law to carry-out the terms and conditions of the contract.  Even when a lease is assigned to a third-party renter, the primary tenant is still responsible for the rental obligations.  

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the same rules apply to subletting.  When a tenant sublets their usable space, they remain the sole responsible party; should the third-party renter fail to make payments or cause damage to the rental unit, the original tenant is responsible.

Verbal or written agreements between tenants and third-party renters are great for establishing rules and responsibilities, but are more-so personal arrangements and not legally enforceable.  For this reason, it’s imperative that choosing a third-party renter is given ample consideration—regardless if you’re assigning your lease or simply looking to sublet.  It’s not unfair to request bank statements, criminal histories, or credit reports before making a commitment to a secondary tenant.  

In some situations, landlords will in-fact release the original tenant from liability when the lease is assigned to a third-party renter, rendering the new renter responsible for the terms of the original lease.  This is sometimes called “permeant assignment” and is definitely worth exploring when considering lease-assignment.  Usually this stipulation is negotiated between the landlord and tenant; an experienced legal professional may be helpful in these situations.

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• Lease Assignment and Sublease

Assignment of Lease (Lease Transfer) vs. Sublease

by emre · Published October 4, 2014 · Updated October 12, 2014

The lease transfer (assignment of lease) is a foggy topic that is often confused with subletting. Let’s clear the air once and all right now.

What is Assignment of Lease? There are  the 3 players in a lease assignment: the landlord, the original tenant (assignor) and the new tenant (assignee).The original tenant has an unexpired lease agreement with the landlord and (s)he wants out. Since the original tenant can’t just break the agreement and walk away, what (s)he does is to get a new tenant to swap places… and take over all his/her rights and obligations for the remainder of the lease period.

So if the original tenant signs a 12-month lease and the tenant has to leave town or finds a better place after 8 months, the new tenant will be assigned a 4-month ease (with the same terms and conditions as the original agreement). Now here’s the big catch: Even though the original tenant has handed over all his duties and obligations to the new tenant, (s)he is not off the hook… unless the landlord agrees to release him/her from all liabilities. If the new tenant stirs up trouble, the original tenant will find himself/herself in hot soup as well. Of course, whether the original tenant is allowed to pull this assignment trick out of his hat is a whole new matter. Knowing for sure is actually simpler than most people think: First, examine your local landlord tenant laws for any lease assignment rules. Most of the time, landlords are given the right to allow or disallow assignments but once in a while, the local law let tenants have the final say instead. If there’s no mention of lease assignments in your law text, then your rental lease agreement shall dictate the terms.

Differences Between Lease Assignment and Subletting

When it comes to subletting vs. assignment of lease, there’s often a massive mix-up. Sometimes even real estate professional get it wrong by assuming them to be one and same thing. However if you dig deeper, you will find that the differences are not just numerous, but important as well.

Let’s begin by dragging the landlord into the picture. An assignment of lease launches the new tenant into a direct relationship with the landlord – The landlord collects rent straight from the new tenant and deals with the new tenant directly on all lease issues. So in this case, the original tenant gets to take back seat and doesn’t have to manage the new tenant actively.

On the other hand, there’s no direct relationship between the landlord and new tenant (subtenant) in a sublease. Instead the original tenant plays mother goose and is responsible for collecting rent from the subtenant and making sure that he’s following the lease rules. When you compare the two, a sublease is a lot more hands-on for the original tenant.

No matter which path you take, you will still want a good new tenant who pays the rent on time and follows the lease rules to the agreement. For the golden rules on screening tenants and running credit checks. When you have a lease assignment, the terms and conditions of the lease remains largely unchanged – It’s almost like taking the original lease agreement and swapping the tenant’s name with another.

With a sublease, there’s more breathing space – The original tenant can decide how much rent to charge, how long the subtenant is going to stay or even collect security deposit… as long as it stays within the boundaries drawn by the original lease agreement between the landlord and original tenant.

Should You Choose Assignment of Lease or Sublease?

You are the landlord – A lease assignment is recommended in most cases. You will have more control over your new tenant (instead of leaving matters in the original tenant’s hands and hoping that he would do a good job)… plus you still have the original tenant to cover your back in case anything goes wrong.

You are the Original Tenant – Now this is a tricky one. If you want to someone to take over the entire lease and property for its remaining duration , then help yourself to a lease assignment. If the landlord’s consent is required for assignment (and he doesn’t give the nod), you can always try offering him a lease assignment fee as a deal sweetener.However, if you are looking for someone to share the place (and rent)… or perhaps you need someone to cover the rent while you are overseas for a few short months, then a sublease would be ideal.

You are the New Tenant – An assignment of lease works better for you most of the time. You won’t be at the mercy of the original tenant (for example if (s)he screws up and the landlord terminates the original lease agreement, your sublease might also go up in flames).

Please fell free to contact us if you have additional questions.

Tags: assignee assignor landlord lease assignment lease transfer leasee Montreal rent sublease sublet tenant

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Assignment, Subleasing, And Why It's Important To Negotiate The Right To Do Both

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In the market for commercial space? Chances are you’re focusing your efforts on sourcing a property that suits your current business requirements.

However, in today’s ever-changing economy/business climate, companies often need to upsize or downsize at short notice.

As a tenant, where does that leave you when locked into a long-term commercial lease?

Keep it flexible

It’s hard to anticipate whether you’ll be faced with breaking a lease before it happens. So, it’s important to keep your contract flexible by negotiating a subleasing and assignment clause into your agreement. This means you’ll be able to transfer all or part of your space to another tenant down the track if the situation calls for it.

What’s the difference between an assignment and a sublease?

Lease assignments and subleases are often viewed in a similar light. This is because both bank on a third party taking over a commercial lease. But, there are some important differences to consider:

Lease assignment

A lease assignment is when an entire property/space, including the existing tenant’s rights and interest in the commercial lease, is transferred over to a new party.

When it comes to leasing assignments, the new tenant takes on the rights and responsibilities of the assigning tenant. That means the original tenant is not liable anymore if the new tenant breaches the lease.

Lease assignment is best undertaken when:

• The whole lease can be disposed of
• The current lease has favourable terms that would be accepted by another tenant

Major hurdles when it comes to lease assignment:

• Requires upfront capital incentive
• Requires landlord consent

A sublease, on the other hand, is a separate contract between the original tenant and a subtenant. Unlike an assignment, a sublease only turns over part of a property. That means that the original tenant shares the rights and responsibilities to the premises.

A sublease may be preferable for tenants who wish to lease out part of their property to another company for the remainder of the lease term. It may also suit if a tenant needs to rent out the entire property for a period within their fixed-term lease.

In this case, the sublessee treats the sublessor as their landlord. In turn, the sublessor assumes liability on behalf of the sublessee.

Subleasing is best undertaken when:

• You're looking for a partial or temporary cost saving initiative
• Your landlord does not consent to or permit assignment
• Your current lease has. onerous clauses that another tenant wouldn’t agree to

Major hurdles when it comes to subleasing:

• Inherent security risks
• You’ll likely recuperate less than 50%-70% of the rent

You can learn more about some of the benefits of commercial subleasing here and what commercial sublessors should expect from subleasing here .

The importance of a lease assignment and sublease clause

The right to assign or sublet a premises comes down to the language used in the commercial leasing agreement.

If there is no prohibiting or limiting clause, a tenant does not need the landlord’s permission to do so. However, if the contract contains such provisions, the existing tenant needs to get the landlord’s consent. This can prove quite costly for the tenant, who may have to continue to pay rent even if they no longer occupy the premises.

Other options for breaking a commercial lease

The odds usually aren’t stacked in the tenant’s favour when it comes to breaking a commercial lease . However, if you used a tenant representation specialist before signing your contract, you should have received the right advice to protect yourself.

Break clause

Well negotiated leases may have a ‘break clause’, however, most landlords are reluctant to include one of these. A break clause basically lays out the circumstances and the manner in which a tenant can break a commercial lease early.

As with any contract, it’s up to the two parties to negotiate terms. One option may be to allow early termination of a lease if a new tenant with similar financial security takes over. This is similar to an assignment. However, the new tenant would take over the full liability of the remaining lease.

Pay out the commercial lease term

Not a desirable option for most tenants, however, there may be situations where it is the only choice. For example, if you were closing your business before the expiry of your lease term and there was no way to arrange an assignment or sublease, paying out the remainder of your term may be the only course of action.

Most people would consider this a worst-case scenario. This, again, highlights the importance of seeking the help of a tenant representation specialist prior to signing any commercial lease .

Commercial tenants should try to mitigate their risks upfront. Before signing a lease, or even at the heads of agreement stage , we suggest negotiating a clause which requires a landlord to act reasonably in the case of lease assignment or sublease.

Work with a commercial tenant advocate

Negotiating commercial lease terms can be tricky (even daunting at times). This is because most businesses only have to do it once every 5-10 years. Being able to negotiate provisions that would not otherwise be included may also prove challenging because landlords prefer not to limit their options.

Luckily, an experienced tenant representative will guide you through the lease negotiation process so your needs are met every step of the way. So, the next time you face a lease negotiation, let Tenant CS balance the playing field.

Considering breaking your lease? Whether you're exploring options like subleasing, assigning, or surrendering, a detailed property strategy is crucial.

Consulting with a tenant representation specialist is your best move, especially if there's less than a year remaining on your lease. At Tenant CS, we exclusively represent tenants, not landlords. Whether you need assistance with subleasing, exiting your lease, finding and negotiating a new lease, or undertaking a mid-lease rent review, appointing us can potentially save you hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lease term while protecting your interests.

Book a call with us today to discover how we can help you effectively negotiate your next lease or exit your current lease early !

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Commercial Lease Assignment and Sublet Provisions

A balancing act for landlords and tenants, july 2020 by adam f. aldrich.

This article identifies common problems involved in commercial lease transfers through assignments and subleases. It offers both landlords and tenants tips for solving these problems when negotiating assignment and sublease provisions in leases.

The modern commercial lease is a complex, integrated document that attempts to balance the competing interests of the landlord and tenant. As a result, commercial leases are the subject of much negotiation and are never “one size fits all.” In fact, commercial leases are one of the least standardized documents in real estate practice.

When any commercial lease is to be transferred in part through a sublet or in its entirety through an assignment, the issues multiply. The transfer provisions, which once seemed moot, become operative to determine whether the lease can be transferred and, if so, under what conditions. If, during lease negotiations, the parties overlooked the lease transfer provisions or gave them cursory consideration, they may be unpleasantly surprised by the result. While landlords and tenants have divergent economic interests with respect to transferring the lease, their legitimate concerns can be appropriately addressed through thoughtfully crafted transfer provisions.

This article explores common problems, issues, and solutions encountered in commercial lease transfers through assignments and subleases. It is intended to be useful both to the lawyer who infrequently encounters lease transfer problems and the seasoned practitioner who deals with lease transfer issues every day.

Distinguishing Between an Assignment and Sublease

Assignments and subleases have fundamental differences that are frequently misunderstood. A lease is both a conveyance of an interest in property and a contract. 1 After executing the lease, the landlord and tenant are bound to one another by privity of contract and by privity of estate. As a result, they may each enforce the provisions of the written lease through privity of contract and the promises that arise from privity of estate. 2 Privity of contract allows enforcement of the lease provisions, while privity of estate allows enforcement of only those promises that run with the land. 3

Whether the landlord, tenant/assignor, and subtenant/assignee call their arrangement an assignment or a sublease, courts typically look at the substance of the transaction. In an assignment, a tenant transfers its entire interest in the lease. 4 After assigning its interest in the lease, the assignee has privity of estate with the landlord, but the assignee and the landlord are not in privity of contract unless the assignee assumes the tenant’s obligations under the lease. 5 Assignment of the lease ends the original tenant’s rights to possession, but absent an express release under the lease terms, its liability under the lease continues. 6 This means the original tenant remains secondarily liable for the assignee’s obligations under the lease. Thus, the tenant/assignor may find itself liable at a future date if the assignee fails to perform its obligations under the lease.

In a sublease, however, the tenant transfers less than the remaining term or less than the tenant’s entire interest in the lease, leaving the original tenant with a reversionary interest in the lease. 7 The relationship between the original landlord and the original tenant, including both privity of contract and privity of estate, remains intact, thereby creating the relationship of landlord and tenant between the original tenant (sublandlord) and the new tenant (subtenant). The original landlord and the subtenant have no privity of estate or privity of contract with one another, so the original tenant remains liable for the actions and omissions of the subtenant. 8 However, the subtenant’s rights will terminate with the original lease or when the landlord declares a forfeiture of the tenant’s lease term. 9

A third, less common type of transfer is a partial assignment of a lease. Such assignments are called assignments “pro tanto,” not subleases, because they grant possession of a portion of the leased premises to the new tenant for the balance of the lease term. 10 The landlord now has two tenants and, in effect, two leases. There is little guiding case law on this hybrid lease transfer, so it is not entirely clear whether the assignee has a contractual relationship with the landlord. 11 Due to the vagaries and uncertainties that can result when a transfer of possession encompasses less than all of the space, partial assignments should be avoided. To avoid assignments pro tanto, landlords should consider prohibiting assignments of less than the original tenant’s entire interest in the lease. If a landlord proceeds with a partial assignment, it should clearly document the arrangement, including the rights and remedies of the landlord, original tenant, and new tenant, and acknowledge the transaction as a partial assignment and not a sublease. 12

The accompanying table illustrates the many differences between an assignment, sublease, and partial assignment. 13

Restrictions on Assignments and Subleases

Colorado law favors the free transferability of rights. 14 As a result, landlords frequently attempt to limit the tenant’s right to transfer the lease by including lease provisions specifically restricting the tenant’s right to assign or sublet. Under Colorado law, outright prohibitions against assignments are permissible and are not considered invalid restraints on alienation. 15 Even if outright prohibitions on assignments or subletting are enforced, such provisions “are construed against the restriction.” 16 This means a court generally will construe such stipulations “against the party invoking them.” 17 A breach of the restriction against transfer does not terminate the lease, 18 but may give rise to a claim for default. 19 Generally, tenants in commercial leases negotiate exceptions to strict prohibitions against assignments or subletting because transfer provisions may be their only viable exit strategy if they find they can no longer afford the space or no longer need it.

Consent to Assignments and Subleases

Recognizing that absolute prohibitions are neither favored by the courts nor acceptable to most tenants, some landlords include modified prohibitions in their leases that limit the tenant’s rights to transfer the lease and, if a transfer is permitted, allow the landlord to enforce the lease against both the original tenant and the new tenant to the maximum extent possible. Such provisions may reserve to the landlord, either in its sole discretion or without unreasonably withholding its consent, the right to approve a proposed lease transfer. Although the reservation of the landlord’s right to approve a proposed assignment or sublease is for the landlord’s benefit, 20 the landlord is bound to the standards set out in the lease for consents to an assignment or sublease. 21 Accordingly, once the landlord has established the standards for its consent in the lease, it cannot object to a proposed assignment or sublease if the tenant has met the appropriate requirements.

It is well established in Colorado law that “without a freely negotiated provision in the lease giving the landlord an absolute right to withhold consent, a landlord’s decision to withhold consent must be reasonable.” 22 Thus, if a lease contains a provision against subletting or assignment, but is silent on a landlord’s right to withhold consent, Colorado law forbids the landlord from withholding its consent unreasonably if the tenant tenders a suitable subtenant or assignee to the landlord. 23

Disputes often arise as to what is a ‘‘reasonable” withholding of the landlord’s consent. This debate has led to the enunciation of specific standards of reasonableness. If a lease provision “requires that consent to an assignment will not be unreasonably or arbitrarily withheld, a landlord is held to the standard of conduct of a reasonably prudent person.” 24 Therefore, a landlord must only consider “those factors that relate to a landlord’s interest in preserving the value of the property,” 25 which do not include “[a]rbitrary considerations of personal taste, convenience, or sensibility . . . .” 26 Whether a landlord has acted reasonably is a fact-specific inquiry. 27 Most courts have held that the tenant bears the burden of proving that the landlord acted unreasonably in withholding consent, 28 but some courts have required the landlord to prove it acted reasonably. 29 Courts have been divided on a tenant’s right to terminate a lease where the landlord has been found to have unreasonably withheld consent. 30

There are several reliable rules that courts follow in determining whether a landlord acted reasonably. First, a landlord cannot refuse consent for racial or other discriminatory reasons. 31

Second, a landlord may not deny consent to improve its general economic position or to receive increased rent. 32 However, a landlord may deny consent to protect its interest in the value, condition, and operation of the property or the performance of lease covenants. 33 For example, in Cafeteria Operators L.P. v. AMCAP/Denver Limited Partnership , the tenant leased the premises to run a cafeteria-style restaurant. 34 After several failed attempts to operate the restaurant, the tenant marketed the space to prospective subtenants, including non-cafeteria restaurant owners. 35 When a non-cafeteria restaurant owner expressed interest in subleasing the premises, the tenant sought the landlord’s approval to the proposed sublease, but the landlord refused. The Court found that the landlord reasonably withheld consent because the proposed sublessee would have changed the “character” of the shopping center by operating “the largest restaurant of its kind, raising concerns about lighting, maintenance, traffic, and parking.” 36 Moreover, the subtenant would sell alcohol and stay open late, and its proposed occupancy raised “concerns about security, safety of patrons, and parking requirements.” 37 Similarly, the Court in List v. Dahnke found that the landlord reasonably withheld consent where the landlord determined that a Thai-American restaurant operated by the assignee would not be successful at that location, but the Court did not identify the facts that led the landlord to such conclusion. 38

Third, a court may make a finding of unreasonableness if a landlord refuses consent to a proposed transfer without obtaining relevant information to make its decision. 39 Before making the decision, the landlord should obtain sufficient information on the transferee’s financial condition; the transferee’s experience in operating its business; how the premises are to be used; projected sales, gross income, and income per square foot; and, in the case of a sublease, the size of the subleased space. 40

Fourth, courts may consider how long it takes the landlord to make the decision on the requested assignment. If the landlord instantly refuses consent or waits too long to make a decision, the court could make a finding of unreasonableness. 41 Conversely, if the tenant fails to allow the landlord a reasonable amount of time to issue a decision, the withholding of consent can be found reasonable. 42 In Parr v. Triple L&J Corp. , the Court found that the landlord unreasonably withheld consent when it deferred making a decision on the proposed assignment, thereby delaying the sale of the tenant’s business until the prospective buyer withdrew his offer. 43 The tenant sought approval from the landlord for an assignment of the lease as part of the sale of its business. The landlord requested all personal and financial information on the proposed assignee and the assignee’s business plan, and the tenant provided prompt responses that demonstrated the assignee’s experience in restaurant management and “perfect credit score.” 44 Because the landlord unreasonably withheld consent, the landlord was held liable to the tenant under a breach of contract theory, as well as for lost profits on the sale of its business. 45

Similarly, the Court in Bert Bidwell Investors Corp. v. LaSalle and Schiffer, P.C. addressed whether the landlord unreasonably withheld consent to the tenant’s request to transfer the lease where the assignee was “ready, willing, and able to assume the lease as written, and to use the premises for the same business as that of the tenants.” 46 The landlord ultimately refused consent because it “didn’t like” the proposed assignee. 47 Based on the lease, which required the landlord’s consent to assign, the landlord argued that it “had the right to relet the premises as it saw fit and to be arbitrary in doing so.” 48 Relying on List , the Court found that the landlord acted unreasonably in refusing to accept the proposed new tenant. 49 Nevertheless, parties may create their own standards and definition of reasonableness, and if they do, courts will enforce and apply such standards. 50

As these cases illustrate, if a landlord wishes to withhold consent absent a sole and unconditional contractual right to do so, it must have fact-based reasons for doing so and cannot arbitrarily withhold or delay its consent. The landlord should communicate its decision in writing to the tenant and enumerate all fact-based reasons to preserve all arguments for reasonableness. 51 Before making the request to assign or sublet the premises, the tenant should gather information about the proposed assignee’s or subtenant’s financial status, business acumen, and proposed operations, and then submit this information to the landlord, along with an assignment or sublease document signed by the tenant and assignee or subtenant. While the landlord must still consent to the transaction, 52 such documentation places the tenant in a stronger position to rebut any superficial or arbitrary reasons the landlord may proffer for denying consent. And if litigation ensues, it will be critical for the tenant’s case to show that it supplied the landlord with as much information as possible concerning the assignee’s or subtenant’s financial status and operations, to avoid having the trier of fact determine that the landlord acted reasonably in denying consent due to a lack of information from the tenant.

Recapture, Termination, and Renewal Rights

Leases may grant the landlord the right to terminate the lease and to retake the tenant’s space if the tenant wishes to assign its lease or sublet its space, or if the tenant transfers the lease without the landlord’s consent. Replacing the tenant by recapturing the premises can benefit both the landlord and the tenant, but each party will want to weigh the pros and cons of such an agreement.

Terminating the lease allows the landlord to eliminate existing lease weaknesses and to enter into a new lease with a potentially better tenant on a clean slate. Moreover, recapturing the premises and directly leasing it to the proposed assignee can save the landlord substantial dollars in tenant improvements that can be passed on to the new tenant through reduced or free rent for a portion of the lease term. But the landlord must pay close attention to market conditions before terminating the lease. Terminating the lease in a strong market when space is at a premium and rents are high allows the landlord to enter into a new lease with a new tenant at a higher rate, but the landlord may take a loss on its investment in the premises in a down market when rates are depressed and there is an oversupply of space.

The tenant, on the other hand, risks losing its investment in its business and the leased premises. Before requesting a transfer, the tenant should closely scrutinize the lease to determine the potential outcome. Under some leases, the act of notifying the landlord of an intent to assign or sublet can trigger the recapture provision. 53 Similarly, if the lease is assigned without the landlord’s consent, it may trigger the recapture right if that right is expressly provided in the lease. 54 Landlords should closely review the recapture language before terminating the lease because restraints on alienation and lease forfeitures are disfavored. 55

When a tenant violates the transfer provisions by transferring the lease without the landlord’s consent, the landlord should send a notice of default to the tenant and demand that the default be cured by nullifying the transfer, 56 unless the lease provides that transferring the lease is an automatic termination. If the tenant is unable to nullify the transfer when it receives the notice, it could be liable for default damages incurred by the landlord. 57 If the tenant does not cure the default and the landlord will not approve (and has the right not to approve) the assignee or subtenant, the landlord may terminate the lease (or the tenant’s right to possession) if the lease so permits. 58 If the landlord fails to terminate the lease 59 or accepts rent after breach of the anti-assignment clause, 60 it may be deemed to have waived the right to terminate. Once the lease is terminated as a result of the default, the landlord must consider its duty to mitigate damages. 61

If the space is recaptured and the lease terminated, the tenant’s lease obligations will be terminated with respect to all recaptured space, including the payment of rent. 62 Moreover, the tenant will no longer have privity of contract or estate with the landlord, assignee, or subtenant because the lease will be terminated as to the tenant. 63 If the landlord recaptures the premises, the tenant is spared the rent expense while it finds a transferee. But if the landlord does not recapture, the tenant can make a transfer without fear that the landlord will then exercise its recapture rights.

Another important issue is whether an option to renew contained in a lease assigned or subleased to a third party remains exercisable following the transfer. If the assigned lease gives the original tenant a renewal option, the assignee can extend the term unless the renewal option is reserved from the assignment. 64 If a tenant/sublandlord grants its subtenant an option to renew based on the tenant’s option in the prime lease, the subtenant is dependent on the tenant/sublandlord for a lease extension because it does not have contractual privity with the landlord. 65 If the tenant/sublandlord refuses to exercise its renewal option so as to enable the subtenant to take advantage of the rights that were granted to it, the tenant may be liable to the subtenant. 66 To protect its option to renew, the subtenant should request or require a recognition agreement from the landlord when negotiating a sublease, whereby the landlord agrees to recognize the sublease if the prime lease terminates due to the tenant/sublandlord’s default. 67

The Impact of Bankruptcy Proceedings on Assignments and Subleases

Bankruptcy laws can have a significant impact on commercial leases when the tenant files for bankruptcy protection. Generally, a trustee is appointed to administer the bankruptcy estate, except in Chapter 11 cases where the debtor-in-possession is the tenant. 68 For debtors with executory contracts and/or unexpired leases, 11 USC § 365 contains a series of rules that govern those documents. Section 365 of the bankruptcy code provides the tenant/debtor with the statutory right to assume or reject executory contracts and unexpired leases to which it is a party, subject to objections by creditors and other parties-in-interest, and ultimately the court’s approval. 69 The debtor may, in turn, assign the lease if the assignee provides “adequate assurance of future performance.” 70 During the period between filing the bankruptcy petition and the date on which the lease is assumed or rejected, the tenant must continue to pay rent and perform the material terms of the lease. 71 It should be noted that written waivers of § 362’s automatic stay have been found to be unenforceable unless they are part of a previous bankruptcy proceeding. 72 Thus, landlords should not assume that a waiver in the lease is enforceable if the tenant files for bankruptcy.

From the debtor’s perspective, the right to reject the lease is “vital to the basic purpose of Chapter 11” because it can free the tenant from the obligation to pay all future rent under the lease. 73 If a lease is rejected with bankruptcy court approval, the debtor has no legal interest in the lease or the leased premises, and it must vacate the leased premises. If, however, the debtor fails to vacate the premises, the landlord can file a motion to lift the automatic stay so it can file or continue an eviction action in state court. If the debtor rejects the lease, the landlord may have a claim for “rejection damages” pursuant to 11 USC § 502(b)(6), subject to the mitigation-of-damages duty. 74

As a condition to assuming the lease, the debtor must cure all monetary defaults and provide adequate assurances of future performance under the lease. 75 A debtor who assumes the lease may be able to assign the lease free of restrictions on transfer set forth in the lease and over the landlord’s objection, 76 which may turn out to be a significant right for the debtor if it holds a below-market lease with sufficient time remaining on the lease term. However, a bankruptcy court has discretion to reject an assignment if it finds, for example, that the assignment would disrupt the tenant mix by changing the image of a shopping center or violating the use restriction in the lease. 77 A landlord may favorably view the debtor’s assumption because it assures continuation of the lease and the cure of existing defaults. But if the tenant is holding a below-market lease, the landlord may favor rejection to enable it to negotiate a new lease. A landlord may object to the debtor’s attempted lease assumption if the landlord disagrees with the debtor’s plan to cure the default or believes the debtor has not provided adequate assurance that the default will be cured or the debtor will perform in the future.

Section 365(b)(3)(C) of the bankruptcy code provides specific protections for “a lease of real property in a shopping center” by providing that no assignment can occur without assurances that use clauses and other provisions vital to the operation of the shopping center will continue to be performed, “including (but not limited to) provisions such as a radius, location, use, or exclusivity provision, and will not breach any such provision contained in any other lease, financing agreement, or master agreement relating to such shopping center.” The purpose of § 365(b)(3)(C) “is to preserve the landlord’s bargained-for protections with respect to premises use and other matters that are spelled out in the lease with the debtor-tenant.” 78 Moreover, § 365(b)(3)(D) requires adequate assurance “that assumption or assignment of such lease will not disrupt any tenant mix or balance in such shopping center.” Despite the bankruptcy code’s language protecting shopping centers, some bankruptcy courts have found lease provisions that limit the use of the shopping center premises to be per se restraints on alienation. 79 To avoid an adverse ruling if a shopping center tenant files for bankruptcy, a landlord should arm itself with as much evidence and expert testimony as possible to show a disruption in tenant mix or a real potential for violating other tenants’ rights if an assignment is allowed. 80

While a tenant’s bankruptcy filing places the lease in limbo, a landlord can be proactive by approaching the tenant to determine whether it intends to reject or assume the lease. Landlords and tenants should not treat the existing lease as a static document that presents the tenant with a “take it or leave it” proposition for assumption. If the tenant voices concerns about the current lease, the landlord can renegotiate the lease to entice the tenant to assume a modified lease (subject to court approval) that keeps the tenant in the premises and paying rent.

Negotiating Lease Transfer Provisions

Negotiating lease transfer provisions is an important process for both the landlord and the tenant because, at some time in the future, the landlord or the tenant may be forced to accept a previously unknown or undesirable counterparty to the lease. It is critical that attorneys impress upon their respective clients the short-term and long-term ramifications that could result from their negotiations of the lease transfer provisions. Landlords and tenants should consider the following issues when negotiating assignment and subletting provisions.

The Landlord’s Perspective

• The landlord’s primary objective in negotiating assignment and subleasing provisions is control , including control over the mix of tenants and control over the use of the leased premises. Thus, the landlord will use the transfer provisions to protect its interests in the premises.
• A landlord’s foremost concern is almost always the tenant’s ability to pay rent, in full, on a timely basis. A landlord should negotiate requirements that a prospective assignee or subtenant must meet, such as minimum net worth and minimum gross sales.
• The landlord can protect itself by including a right to recapture the premises if a tenant seeks to assign its lease or to sublet its premises. However, landlords should carefully consider whether to include language that terminates the lease automatically upon receipt of an assignment request because it could constitute a restraint on alienation, which is disfavored, and the landlord may prefer the leasehold to continue. 81
• The landlord should keep the original tenant on the hook. Landlords should oppose any transfer provision that relieves the original tenant of its obligations under the lease upon an assignment. Having a tenant with a vested interest in the assignee’s ability to perform the lease is helpful to ensure that a lease is transferred to a worthy transferee. Additionally, in the event the assignee does default, if the original tenant’s liability has been preserved, the landlord’s chances of recovery are improved.
• The landlord should limit the use rights of a subsequent assignee or subtenant. A landlord should seek to protect its right to control the mix of tenants, particularly in retail settings, so as not to violate exclusive use provisions. 82 Moreover, exclusives and use restrictions held by other tenants at a shopping center must be considered in conjunction with a potential change in use that may occur upon assignment or subletting.
• The landlord should seek to share in excess rent. 83 For example, where a tenant assigns its lease or subleases its premises, it may be paid more than the amount the tenant is obligated to pay the landlord under the lease. If the assignment or sublease had not been entered into, those same financial accommodations would theoretically have been available to the landlord if it had leased directly to the assignee or subtenant. Accordingly, a landlord should seek the right to share in this excess financial consideration along with the tenant, or if it has the leverage, to obtain 100% of such excess.

The Tenant’s Perspective

• The tenant’s goal is maintaining flexibility. The tenant’s ability to maintain flexibility through the lease largely depends on its leverage to negotiate favorable lease terms. A new business seeking space in a desirable retail shopping center may have little or no leverage to negotiate the transfer provisions, but a large corporation leasing significant space may have considerable negotiating strength. Thus, it is imperative that the tenant’s leasing broker and attorney understand the market forces at play in any lease negotiation.
• The tenant should seek flexibility to share the leased premises or certain portions of it (i.e., floor space, utilities, and parking) with its related entities and affiliates with which it has a business relationship, without having to seek the landlord’s consent in each instance. This issue is particularly important for large companies with divisions that operate under different business names.
• The tenant should also seek flexibility to restructure its organization without the landlord and the lease acting as an impediment to such alteration, by negotiating into the lease specific language permitting such changes. The tenant’s ability to reorganize its business, either through a merger, consolidation, or sale, could be delayed or impeded by the landlord under the transfer provisions if these provisions are not properly negotiated at the letter of intent stage or before the lease is executed.
• The tenant should maintain an exit strategy if the premises no longer satisfy its business needs because it has outgrown the space or needs less space. This is particularly important in the era of COVID-19. For example, start-up companies can quickly outgrow their leased premises, but if the landlord does not have more space available, the company must seek out new or additional space, frequently at a higher rate. Conversely, a change in economic forces can cause the tenant’s business to quickly retract. Thus, prospective tenants should be mindful to negotiate termination and rights of first refusal options for newly available space in the same building, with the end goal of ensuring that the size of their leased space does not impair their business objectives. 84
• The tenant should insist that the landlord’s right to approve a lease transfer not be unreasonably withheld, if the landlord insists on reserving such right. The lease should detail the specific standards the tenant must meet to obtain approval, such as the transferee’s minimum net worth and minimum business experience.
• Counsel for the tenant should attempt to include a provision for automatically releasing the tenant and any guarantor from further liability at the time of the lease transfer or after the transfer occurs if the assignee or sublessee can meet or exceed certain financial marks, such as net worth, sales, or revenue.
• The tenant should negotiate (1) the right to revoke a transfer request during a defined period after the landlord issues a notice to terminate and recapture the premises, and (2) a reasonable period to vacate the premises before the tenant will be subject to eviction proceedings if the tenant does not revoke the transfer request. Where the landlord insists on a termination and recapture provision, this rescission right provides a tenant the flexibility to stop the recapture process according to the tenant’s particular circumstances and commercial exigencies.

The relationships established between the parties to a lease, sublease, or assignment can be complicated. While the ability to transfer the lease can be a valuable tool for the tenant, the landlord’s interest in protecting its investment by choosing its occupants is equally compelling. However, a balance can be struck that provides the tenant the flexibility it needs while preserving the landlord’s control and minimizing its risk. During lease negotiations, both parties should recognize that changing circumstances during the lease term could trigger the need to assign the lease or sublet the premises. If thoughtful attention is given to negotiating the transfer provisions, the parties can assure themselves that, if the need arises to transfer the lease, their respective interests will be reasonably protected.

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Adam F. Aldrich is the founder of Aldrich Legal, LLC, a Denver-based law firm focused on real estate and business transactions and litigation—(303) 325-5683. Coordinating Editor: Christopher D. Bryan .

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1 . Schneiker v. Gordon , 732 P.2d 603, 606 (Colo. 1987) (recognizing the “dual nature of a lease” as both a contract and a conveyance of an interest in land).

2 . Id. at 606–07.

3 . Shaffer v. George , 171 P. 881, 882 (Colo. 1917).

4 . Gordon Inv. Co. v. Jones , 227 P.2d 336, 340 (Colo. 1951).

5 . Shaffer , 171 P. at 882.

6 . Roget v. Grand Pontiac, Inc. , 5 P.3d 341, 345 (Colo.App. 1999) (“after the assignment, the assignee becomes primarily liable for the obligations under the contract, while the assignor remains secondarily liable”).

7 . Gordon Inv. Co. , 227 P.2d at 340.

8 . J.E. Martin, Inc. v. Interstate 8th St. , 585 P.2d 299, 301 (Colo.App. 1978) (“the delegation of duties under a lease and their assumption by a third person do not absolve the original lessee, absent the lessor’s knowledge and consent, simply by virtue of the conduct of the lessee and third party”). See also 1 Friedman and Randolph Jr., Friedman on Leases § 7:7.2 (Practising Law Institute 5th ed. 2013).

9 . V.O.B. Co. v. Hang It Up, Inc. , 691 P.2d 1157, 1159 (Colo.App. 1984).

10 . Friedman and Randolph Jr. , supra note 8 at § 7:4.2.

11 . Barbuti, “Assignments Pro Tanto And Why To Avoid Them,” 22 The Practical Real Estate Lawyer 24, 24–25 (Sept. 2006).

12 . Id. at 24.

13 . Id. at 23 (reprinted in part).

14 . Parrish Chiropractic Ctrs., P.C. v. Progressive Cas. Ins. Co. , 874 P.2d 1049, 1052 (Colo. 1994) (“Contract rights generally are assignable, except where assignment is prohibited by contract or by operation of law or where the contract involves a matter of personal trust or confidence”).

15 . Union Oil Co. of Cal. v. Lindauer , 280 P.2d 444, 447 (Colo. 1955). See also Malouff v. Midland Fed. Sav. and Loan Ass’n , 509 P.2d 1240, 1243 (Colo. 1973) (recognizing that “[t]he common law doctrine of restraints on alienation is a part of the law in Colorado”).

16 . Friedman and Randolph Jr., supra note 8 at § 7:3.3. See also Malouff , 509 P.2d at 1243 (holding “that the question of the invalidity of a restraint depends upon its reasonableness in view of the justifiable interests of the parties”).

17 . Beck v. Giordano , 356 P.2d 264, 265 (Colo. 1960).

18 . Lindauer , 280 P.2d at 447.

19 . Fink v. Montgomery Elevator Co. of Colo. , 421 P.2d 735, 738 (Colo. 1966).

20 . Routt Cty. Mining Co. v Stutheit , 72 P.2d 692, 693 (Colo. 1937).

21 . Parr v. Triple L & J Corp. , 107 P.3d 1104 (Colo.App. 2004).

22 . Cafeteria Operators L.P. v. AMCAP/Denver Ltd. P’ship , 972 P.2d 276, 278 (Colo.App. 1998).

23 . Id. See also Basnett v. Vista Vill. Mobile Home Park , 699 P.2d 1343, 1346 (Colo.App. 1984) (holding that a landlord may not unreasonably refuse consent under a silent consent clause because that result “incorporates the principles of fair-dealing and reasonableness and also preserves freedom of contract”), rev’d on other grounds , 731 P.2d 700 (Colo. 1987).

24 . List v. Dahnke , 638 P.2d 824, 825 (Colo.App. 1981).

25 . Cafeteria Operators L.P. , 972 P.2d at 279.

26 . List , 638 P.2d at 825.

28 . Ring v. Mpath Interactive, Inc. , 302 F.Supp.2d 301, 305 (S.D.N.Y. 2004); Toys “R” Us, Inc., No. 88 C 10349, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14878 at *111 (N.D.Ill. Sept. 29, 1995); Restatement (Second) of Prop.—Landlord and Tenant § 15.2 cmt. g (American Law Inst. 1976).

29 . E.g., Campbell v. Westdahl , 715 P.2d 288, 293 (Ariz.Ct.App. 1985).

30 . Friedman and Randolph Jr., supra note 8 at § 7:3.4 (citing cases).

31 . Cent. Bus. Coll. v. Rutherford , 107 P. 279, 280 (Colo. 1910); List , 638 P.2d at 825 (dictum).

32 . Kendall v. Ernest Pestana, Inc. , 709 P.2d 837, 845 (Cal. 1985).

33 . Id. at 845. See also Econ. Rentals, Inc. v. Garcia , 819 P.2d 1306, 1317 (N.M. 1991).

34 . Cafeteria Operators L.P. , 972 P.2d at 277.

36 . Id. at 279.

38 . List , 638 P.2d at 825.

39 . Toys “R” Us, Inc. , U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14878 at *124 (landlord’s refusal before it has relevant information that should be obtained in making the consent decision may be unreasonable).

40 . Shaffer, The Sublease and Assignment Deskbook at 80–81 (American Bar Ass’n 2d ed. 2016).

41 . Compare Parr , 107 P.3d at 1107 (affirming trial court’s ruling that the landlord unreasonably withheld consent where the landlord delayed consent, which caused the proposed assignees to withdraw their offer to purchase the business) with Toys “R” Us, Inc. , 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14878 at *124 (landlord’s refusal before it has relevant information that should be obtained in making the consent decision may be unreasonable).

42 . Fahrenwald v. LaBonte , 653 P.2d 806, 811 (Idaho Ct.App. 1982).

43 . Parr , 107 P.3d at 1106.

45 . Id. at 1107.

46 . Bert Bidwell Inv. Corp. v. LaSalle and Schiffer , P.C., 797 P.2d 811 (Colo.App. 1990).

47 . Id. at 811.

48 . Id. at 812.

50 . Toys “R” Us, Inc. , 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14878 at *115 (citations omitted) (“where a lease contains provisions giving further meaning to a reasonableness clause, the standard of reasonableness varies”); Shaffer, supra note 40 at 80–81.

51 . Golden Eye, LTC v. Fame Co. , No. 0603166/2007, 2008 N.Y. Misc 8571 at *16 (N.Y. Gen Term Jan. 16, 2008) (“the Court may not determine reasonableness if withholding consent is based on grounds that were not included in the letter refusing consent”).

52 . Shaffer, supra note 40 at 74–75.

53 . Carma Developers (Cal.), Inc. v. Marathon Dev. Cal., Inc. , 826 P.2d 710 (Cal. 1992).

54 . Lindauer , 280 P.2d at 447.

55 . Murphy v. Traynor , 135 P.2d 230, 231 (Colo. 1943).

56 . Shoemaker v. Shaug , 490 P.2d 439, 441 (Wash.Ct.App. 1971) (finding that the tenant was not in default of the anti-assignment provision because it could reassign the lease back to itself).

57 . La Casa Nino, Inc. v. Plaza Esteban , 762 P.2d 669, 672 (Colo. 1988) (citing Schneiker v. Gordon , 732 P.2d 603 (Colo. 1987)).

58 . Gordon Inv. Co. , 227 P.2d at 260–61 (tenant’s subletting was held a breach that permitted landlord to terminate the lease).

59 . Shakey’s Inc. v. Caple , 855 F.Supp. 1035, 1043–44 (E.D.Ark. 1994) (holding that the landlord was estopped from terminating a lease on account of an unapproved sublease because the landlord did not act promptly).

60 . Merkowitz v. Mahoney , 121 Colo. 38, 42 (Colo. 1949) (“It is the general rule that any act done by a landlord, with knowledge of an existing right of forfeiture, which recognizes the existence of the lease is a waiver of the right to enforce the forfeiture”); Werner v. Baker , 693 P.2d 385, 387 (Colo.App. 1984) (“the lessor’s acceptance of rent accruing after the breach of an anti-assignment clause, with knowledge of the breach, constitutes a waiver of the right to terminate the lease for breach of that clause”). Cf. Nouri v. Wester & Co. , 833 P.2d 848, 851 (Colo.App. 1992) (holding that waiver of conditions against assignment by accepting rent did not carry over to other provisions in the lease).

61 . La Casa Nino, Inc. , 762 P.2d at 672.

62 . Carma Developers (Cal.), Inc. , 826 P.2d 710.

63 . Schneiker , 732 P.2d at 611.

64 . Friedman and Randolph Jr., supra note 8 at §§ 7:5.1 and 7:7.1.

65 . Tiger Crane Martial Arts Inc. v. Franchise Stores Realty Corp. , 235 A.D.2d 994, 995 (N.Y.App.Div. 1997) (“It is well settled that where, as here, a sublease is expressly made subject to the terms of a master lease, the subtenant has no legal right to compel the tenant to exercise an option for renewal of the entire demised premises in order to permit the subtenant to exercise an option for renewal of its subleased premises, absent proof of an agreement on the part of the tenant to exercise its option to renew for the benefit of the subtenant or evidence of special circumstances entitling the subtenant to such relief”).

66 . Burgess Pic-Pac, Inc. v. Fleming Cos. , 190 W. Va. 169, 175 (W.Va. 1993) (discussing liability of sublandlord to subtenant for failure to exercise renewal option after request from subtenant).

67 . Senn, Commercial Real Estate Leases: Preparation, Negotiation, and Forms , § 13.14 (Wolters Kluwer 6th ed. 2019).

68 . 11 USC § 1107.

69 . 11 USC § 365(a).

70 . 11 USC § 365(f)(2)(B).

71 . 11 USC § 365(d)(3).

72 . In re DB Capital Holdings, LLC , 454 B.R. 804, 816 (Bankr. D.Colo. 2011) (“waivers, unless they were part of a previous bankruptcy proceeding . . . should not be enforced”).

73 . NLRB v. Bildisco & Bildisco , 465 U.S. 513, 528 (1984); 11 USC § 502(b)(6).

74 . In re Shane Co. , 464 B.R. 32, 38–41 (Bankr. D.Colo. 2012) (discussing damages claim under 11 USC § 502(b)(6)).

75 . 11 USC § 365(b)(1).

76 . 11 USC § 365(f); In re Bricker Systems, Inc. , 44 B.R. 952 (Bankr. E.D. Wis. 1984) (recognizing that § 365(f) invalidates restrictions on assignment of contracts or leases by a debtor or trustee and allows assignment of assumed contracts at a later date).

77 . In re Federated Dep’t Stores, Inc. , 135 B.R. 941 (Bankr. S.D. Ohio 1991); In re Martin Paint Stores , 199 B.R. 258 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1996), aff’d , S. Blvd., Inc. v. Martin Paint Stores , 207 B.R. 57 (S.D.N.Y. 1997).

78 . In re Trak Auto Corp. , 367 F.3d 237, 244 (4th Cir. 2004) (internal citation omitted).

79 . In re Bradlee Stores, Inc. , No. 00-16033, 2001 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14755 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 20, 2001) (holding that restriction on assignment violated the anti-assignment provisions of § 365(f)); In re Rickel Home Ctrs., Inc. , 240 B.R. 826, 832 (D.Del. 1998) (striking restrictive use provision).

80 . In re Trak Auto Group , 367 F.3d at 242 (enforcing use provision concerning the sale of automobile parts and accessories in shopping center lease); In re J. Peterman Co. , 232 B.R. 366 (Bankr. E.D.Ky. 1999) (rejecting assignment of shopping center lease where proposed assignment would violate radius restriction in lease and assignee did not sell similar merchandise as the original tenant). But see In re Toys “R” Us, Inc. , 587 B.R. 304, 307 (Bankr. E.D.Va. 2018) (overruling landlord’s objection to the debtor’s assignment on the grounds that it would violate the exclusivity provision of another lease in the shopping center and would disrupt the shopping center’s tenant mix and balance).

81 . Friedman and Randolph Jr., supra note 8 at § 7:1.1.

82 . In re Ames Dept. Stores, Inc. , 127 B.R. 744, 752–54 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1991) (discussing rights of landlord to protect the tenant mix at the shopping center in the context of the lease and a subsequent bankruptcy filing of the tenant).

83 . Carma Developers (Cal.), Inc. , 826 P.2d 710 (upholding the landlord’s contractual right to capture excess rent).

84 . For an interesting discussion on the assignability of rights of first refusal, see Mitchell, “Can a Right of First Refusal Be Assigned?” 985 U. Chi. L. Rev. (2001).

As these cases illustrate, if a landlord wishes to withhold consent absent a sole and unconditional contractual right to do so, it must have fact-based reasons for doing so and cannot arbitrarily withhold or delay consent.

Subleasing and Assignment Provisions in Commercial Leases

• June 17, 2020

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many business owners paid little attention to subleasing and assignment provisions when negotiating commercial leases . It was common to focus on rent, maintenance, taxes, and insurance, which affect a tenant’s bottom line, and options to renew the lease if the business thrives. Recently, however, one of the top concerns of commercial tenants is flexibility in case they no longer need to use a portion, or all, of the leased space. In this context, subleasing and assignment provisions are key deal terms.

The Difference Between Subleasing and Assignment

A sublease does not alter the relationship between the landlord and the tenant, who remains liable for all of the tenant’s obligations under the lease. However, the tenant enters into a subordinate lease (the sublease) with a subtenant regarding a portion, or all, of the leased space. After a sublease is signed, the landlord interacts with the tenant, and the tenant interacts with the subtenant.

An assignment alters the relationship between the landlord and the tenant by assigning the tenant’s rights and obligations from the first tenant (the assignor) to the second tenant (the assignee). The assignee steps into the shoes of the assignor, and has a direct contractual relationship with the landlord. After an assignment of the lease, the landlord interacts directly with the assignee.

Important Deal Points Regarding Subleasing and Assignment

Leases may include many provisions regarding subleasing and assignment. Some of the most common issues include the following:

• In what circumstances is landlord consent required? Leases typically require the landlord’s consent for any sublease or assignment. However, some leases have different provisions for special circumstances, such as subleasing or assignment to a related entity, or assignment of the lease in connection with the sale of the tenant’s business.
• What is the standard for landlord consent? Provisions that require the landlord’s consent may be followed by a standard such as “in the landlord’s sole discretion,” or “which may not be unreasonably withheld.” Obviously, the second standard is more favorable to the tenant. However, as a practical matter, if a dispute arises regarding whether a landlord’s denial was reasonable or unreasonable, arbitration or litigation would be expensive, the outcome would be uncertain, and the prospective subtenant or assignee may be unwilling to wait to see how the dispute is resolved.
• What information must be provided regarding the proposed subtenant or assignee? Many leases require confidential financial information regarding the proposed subtenant or assignee. The proposed subtenant or assignee may be more comfortable providing information if the lease contains confidentiality and non-disclosure requirements to restrict the landlord’s use of the information. An argument can be made that less information should be required regarding a proposed subtenant than a proposed assignee, because the landlord will not enter into a direct contractual relationship with the subtenant and the tenant will remain liable under the lease.
• What are the landlord’s alternatives? A tenant might assume that if the tenant requests consent to a sublease or assignment, the landlord’s alternatives will be limited to granting or withholding consent. However, many leases give the landlord a third alternative, to cancel the lease if the tenant requests a sublease or an assignment. This is known as a right of recapture.
• When is the landlord’s response due? Some leases do not set a deadline for the landlord’s response to a request for consent to a sublease or assignment. A delayed response would prevent the tenant from moving forward until the response is received. A delayed response also may result in a lost opportunity, if the proposed subtenant or assignee is under time constraints.
• What is the effect if the landlord fails to provide a timely response? A lease may provide that if the landlord fails to respond to a request for consent within a specified period of time, then consent is deemed granted, or a lease may provide that in such circumstances, consent is deemed denied. The first alternative is more favorable for a tenant, but the prospective subtenant or assignee might not be willing to rely on a “deemed consent” provision and may require actual consent before moving forward.
• What are the landlord’s remedies if a sublease or assignment is made without requesting consent? Generally, if a tenant subleases or assigns a lease without obtaining required consent from the landlord, then the tenant is in default and the landlord can exercise all remedies under the lease. The lease also may provide that a sublease or assignment without the landlord’s consent is invalid and unenforceable.
• Will the assignor be released from liability for the tenant’s obligations after an assignment? It may seem like common sense that if a lease is assigned with the landlord’s consent, then the original tenant (assignor) will no longer be responsible for the tenant’s obligations under the lease. However, a lease may provide that the assignor will remain liable under the lease after an assignment. Similarly, the landlord’s written consent may state that both the assignor and the assignee will be responsible for the tenant’s obligations after the lease is assigned. In order to be released, the assignor should obtain a written agreement from the landlord stating that after an assignment, the assignor will no longer be responsible for the tenant’s obligations under the lease.
• Will a guarantor be released from liability for the tenant’s obligations after an assignment? Many landlords require a personal guaranty from an individual, or a corporate guaranty from a related entity, to ensure payment of the tenant’s obligations under a commercial lease. Guarantees typically provide that they will remain in effect even if the lease is assigned. However, the tenant may be able to negotiate for the termination of the guarantee in the event that the lease is assigned.  In some cases, the landlord may require a substitute guarantor.
• What is the effect of subleasing on the obligations of the tenant and the guarantor? A sublease does not affect the tenant’s obligations to the landlord under the lease, or the guarantor’s obligations to the landlord under the guaranty.

If a business owner is considering entering into a new lease, it is important to carefully review the subleasing and assignment provisions and negotiate any necessary changes before signing the lease. If a tenant desires to sublease or assign an existing lease, it is important to review the applicable requirements and restrictions before taking any action. An experienced real estate attorney can assist the tenant by spotting issues, explaining alternatives, and negotiating with the landlord to help the tenant accomplish its business objectives.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)

Michael D. Klemm

Phone: 952-746-2198, email: [email protected], due diligence in commercial real estate transactions, three alternatives for a buyer to keep a seller’s low mortgage interest rate, webinar replay: hoa fall legal updates 2022, escalation clause tips and traps for buying a home (or an island), webinar replay: hoa fall webinar, on-demand webinar – covid-19 and hoas: how to operate during the pandemic, covid-19 and commercial real estate leases in minnesota, january 1 deadline for preventative maintenance plans, schedules and budgets, crossing the line obtaining building permits for decks in cic’s.

Commercial Leases: Key differences between an Assignment of Lease and a Sublease

Commercial Law

Oct 10 2022.

Similar to the trend seen overseas, working remotely has become a more common and standard practice, which has impacted the way some businesses now operate in New Zealand. Accordingly, when tenants under commercial leases are reviewing their leasing requirements they may decide that they no longer require the same area of premises. This may lead to a tenant transferring their rights under a commercial lease to another party by way of an assignment or sublease. In order to determine which arrangement is best for your business and circumstances, it is important to understand the differences between the two.

A sublease is where the tenant (commonly referred to as the sublandlord) transfers part or all of the tenancy under the sublandlord’s existing lease to a third party. It is important to note that the sublandlord retains an interest in the premises and there is no direct contract between the headlandlord and the subtenant. As a result, the sublandlord is still responsible for all lease obligations but the subtenant pays a contribution for the part of the premises that they sublease from the sublandlord. The subtenant is responsible to the sublandlord for the lease obligations under the sublease. This type of arrangement is particularly common when the sublandlord no longer requires all of the leased premises and wishes to recover some of the costs under the headlease. It is vital to ensure that the timeframe for the sublease arrangement does not extend beyond the term under the headlease. If you are considering subleasing part of your premises, the first step would be reviewing your headlease terms to see if there are any restrictions on the area or any parts within the premises that can or cannot be sublet.

An assignment of a lease involves the new tenant (commonly referred to as the assignee) agreeing to take on all of the existing tenant’s (commonly referred to as the assignor) lease obligations. The transfer of the interest is for the remaining duration of the lease. While the assignment of lease terminates the assignor’s right to possession, the assignor’s liability under the lease commonly continues to the expiry of the current lease term unless provisions are included within the Deed of Assignment of Lease or negotiated with the landlord to provide otherwise. This liability also extends to any guarantors provided. However, the standard ADLS Deed of Assignment of Lease includes an indemnity from the assignee in favour of the assignor against any claims the landlord may raise against the assignor or the assignor’s guarantors.

Once you have established which option is best suited for your business’s circumstances you need to ensure that the headlease allows for an assignment or a sublease to be granted and approach your landlord for their consent to the assignment or sublease.

If you want to assign or sublease your commercial lease or have queries about your lease, please contact us to find out which option is best for you.

Emily Merrill

John Mackay

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What Is the Difference Between Subletting and Assigning Your Lease?

By Sarah Roberts Lawyer

Updated on September 1, 2020 Reading time: 5 minutes

This article meets our strict editorial principles. Our lawyers, experienced writers and legally trained editorial team put every effort into ensuring the information published on our website is accurate. We encourage you to seek independent legal advice. Learn more .

Why Would I Need to Assign or Sublet?

• What is an Assignment? 
• What is Subletting? 
• How Do I Assign or Sublet? 
• Which Option is Best for Me? 

Assigning and Subletting Retail Premises

Key takeaways.

If you are looking to exit your lease before the date set out in the lease agreement, it is important to understand the options available. Understanding the difference between subletting and assigning the lease is important because it can have an ongoing impact on your obligations to the landlord. This article will outline the differences between subletting and assigning your lease.

There are a number of reasons you may want to assign or sublet your lease. This includes because you are:

• selling your business; 
• needing to move to a new premises; 
• winding down your business; or 
• looking for extra revenue through a sublease. 

What is an Assignment? 

An assignment of lease usually occurs when you want to assign your interest in the lease to another party – the assignee. 

For example, this could mean assigning the whole of the shop or leased space.

When you assign your lease, you are transferring your entire proprietary interest to the assignee. Once the lease is properly assigned, the assignee will assume your obligations under the lease, and you should be released from these obligations.

What is Subletting? 

Subletting occurs when you transfer  part  of your interest in the property to another party. This party is known as the ‘sub-tenant’. Here, you can sublease part of the property, like a room or section of the tenancy. This means you do not have to give up the entire property. Alternatively, you can sublet the entire premises for a fixed period of time within the lease period.

Usually, the sub-tenant will pay you rent under a sublease agreement and treat you as their landlord. As the head-tenant, you will assume liability on behalf of the subtenant for any damage or loss that may occur.

It is important to understand that a sublease does not release you from your obligations under the lease. You still retain your lease with the landlord, irrespective of any issues that may arise with the sublease.

How Do I Assign or Sublet? 

The process for assigning or subletting your lease should be set out in your lease agreement. Unless otherwise stated, you will need the written consent of the landlord before you can assign or sublet your lease.

In the case of an assignment, the landlord usually has the right to approve the new assignee. The landlord is likely to request information such as:

• financial statements;
• a CV or business history; and
• identity documents of the proposed assignee.

This way, they can determine whether or not they think they will be suitable to maintain the lease.

In both cases, it is a good idea to have either a:

• deed of consent and assignment; or 
• deed of consent to sublease and a sublease drafted.

Ensuring that the terms of the sublease or assignment are in writing can be key in ensuring your lease is properly assigned or subleased. 

Which Option is Best for Me? 

Your reason for needing to assign or sublet will determine what the best option for you is. Assignment is best when you want to completely release yourself from your obligations under the lease. Conversely, subleases are more suitable when you still want to retain your interest in the property or are unable to assign. 

Subleasing can be an effective way of managing some changes in business needs and may be the best option for you if you want to temporarily vacate your premises or are looking to downsize. Subleasing can also be a good option for businesses seeking to earn extra revenue, or for growing businesses leasing premises larger than what they currently need.

If your premises are considered retail premises, the relevant retail leases legislation in your state likely governs the conditions of your assignment or sublease. This is likely to include laws:

• stipulating what is required to gain the landlord’s consent;
• preventing landlord’s from unreasonably withholding consent; and 
• outlining what happens if the landlord fails to respond to a request for consent.

It is important to understand the difference between assigning and subletting a lease, so you can choose the best option for your business.

The key differences are that:

• assignments transfer your entire interest in the property and usually releases you from your obligations;
• subleases do not release you from your obligations and allow you to transfer part of your interest in the property and retain your entire interest;
• in both cases, your lease will set out when and how you can assign or sublet. 

If you need assistance with assigning or subletting your lease, contact  LegalVision’s leasing lawyers  on 1300 544 755 or fill out the form on this page. 

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Termination, Sublease and Assignment of Lease

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Although the belief remains tenacious, a tenant cannot “break” their lease with a simple 3-month notice for any reason and at any time. Indeed, residential lease law is much more complex and it is essential, as a landlord, that you know your rights and obligations.

Termination

Termination, i.e. the termination of the lease agreement, can be obtained by mutual agreement, following a decision of the Rental Board (TAL)  or be made of full right , i.e., on the sole part of the landlord and/or the tenant, without having to seek authorization from the TAL.

Termination following a judgment of the TAL

The Civil Code of Québec provides that a termination can be requested from the TAL if the tenant is more than 3 weeks late in paying their rent or if the tenant often pays their rent late and you suffer serious prejudice.

You or the tenant can also request the termination of the lease if the unit has become unfit for habitation.

Finally, you can request the termination of your lease if the tenant does not comply with their obligations and you suffer serious harm.

Termination by operation of law

Certain specific situations allow the tenant to terminate the lease agreement with you of their own volition, without the TAL having to intervene.

These situations, which are set out in the Civil Code, are as follows:

• The tenant is allocated low-rent housing;
• The tenant can no longer occupy their dwelling because of a disability;
• The tenant is an elderly person and is permanently admitted to a residential and long-term care centre (CHSLD), a private seniors’ residence or any other place where the care or services required by the tenant’s state of health is offered;
• The safety of the tenant or a child living in the unit is at risk due to sexual violence, domestic violence or child abuse;
• The tenant leaves without cause, taking their household effects with him;
• The tenant abandons the unit because it is unfit for habitation, but does not notify the landlord.

In the first four cases, the termination takes place 2 months after the tenant sends a notice, or 1 month after this sending if the lease is for an indefinite period or for less than twelve months. However, the termination will take place earlier if you and the tenant agree to this or if you have vacated the property and rent it out to someone else before the expiry of the period.

The tenant must also provide you with a certificate the authority concerned, in the case of termination due to the allocation of low-rent housing, a disability preventing the tenant from occupying the dwelling or admission to a CHSLD, a private seniors’ residence or any other place where the care or services necessary for the senior tenant’s state of health are offered. In the latter case, the tenant must also provide a certificate from an authorized person certifying that the conditions requiring admission are met.

If the termination is due to the sexual violence , conjugal or against a child, the certificate that must accompany the notice must come from an officer or public officer designated by the Minister of Justice and must confirm that the termination is a measure to ensure the safety of the tenant or a child living in the dwelling.

Any other reason, such as the purchase of a house, financial problems, divorce or the need for a larger home, does not, according to the law, allow the termination of the tenancy agreement.

However, you can always enter into an agreement (preferably in writing) with the tenant to terminate the lease agreement. If you don’t come to an agreement with the tenant, the tenant has two options, subject to your consent: subletting and assignment of the lease.

However, the tenant will not be able to use either of these two mechanisms if, by law, you have been notified by the tenant, their spouse or civil partner that the dwelling is a family residence . In this case, the tenant will only be able to sublet or assign their lease if their spouse or civil partner consents in writing.

A tenant may sublet their dwelling to a third party under the Civil Code . This third party is therefore referred to as the “subtenant” while the tenant is referred to as the “sublandlord”. Thanks to this mechanism, a tenant does not have to pay rent unnecessarily while they are away (for example, for a trip of a few months) since they allow a third party to live in their place and it is the latter who pays the rent. The sublandlord and the subtenant enter into a sublease agreement.

How to sublet

The law stipulates that a tenant who wants to sublet their unit must send you a notice informing you of their intention and the name and address of the person to whom they intend to sublet. The tenant, with the agreement of the potential subtenant, may decide to provide you with more information.

You can legally refuse to consent to subletting only if you have a serious reason for your decision. The potential subtenant’s bad behaviour or inability to pay the rent are such reasons. You have 15 days from receipt of the notice to inform the tenant of the reasons for your refusal. If you fail to do so, you will be considered to have consented to the sublease.

If you consent to the subletting, you can only require the tenant to reimburse the reasonable expenses that may result from the subletting, as provided by law . An example of a reasonable expense would be the costs for the subtenant’s credit check.

Relationship between landlord, tenant (sublandlord) and subtenant

Despite the sublet, the tenant (sublandlord) remains a party to the lease agreement with you. They therefore retain all their rights and obligations under this contract, including the right to return to live in their home once the sublease is over.

The law provides that if you bring an action against the tenant, the subtenant is only liable to you for the amount of rent it owes to the tenant. The subtenant cannot oppose you for payments made in advance. The payment made by the subtenant pursuant to a stipulation in their lease and which is denounced to you, or the payment made in accordance with the custom of the premises, is not considered to have been made in advance.

The subtenant has the same rights (except the right to remain in the premises, since they will have to leave the unit once the tenant returns to live there) and obligations to you as the tenant. They must, therefore, pay the rent and not disturb the enjoyment of the premises of the other tenants who reside in the building.

If they do not comply with one of their obligations and this causes serious harm to you or other tenants, you can legally request the termination of the sublease agreement, or the termination of the lease agreement that binds you to the sublandlord.

Finally, if you fail to perform the obligations you are bound by as a landlord, the subtenant can exercise the same rights and remedies as the tenant in order to force you to perform them.

Assignment of lease

A tenant may also transfer their dwelling to a third party under the Civil Code. This third party is therefore referred to as the “assignee” while the tenant becomes the “assignor”. Through this mechanism, a tenant can terminate a lease at any time and for any reason, as long as the landlord agrees.

Procedure for completing an assignment of lease

The procedure explained for subletting also applies to the assignment of lease.

However, as of February 21, 2024 , An Act to amend various housing laws requires that the notice contain, in addition to the information named in the section on subletting, the date of the assignment. This date must take into account the 15-day period to which you are entitled to respond to the notice.

In addition, the law now allows you to refuse a lease assignment even without a serious reason. In this case, the lease agreement between you and the tenant is terminated on the assignment date indicated in the notice. In this way, the tenant is still released from the contract. These provisions only apply to notices sent on or after February 21, 2024.

Relationship between the Landlord, the Assigning Tenant and the Assignee

The assignment of the lease relieves the assigning tenant of their obligations. They also no longer has any rights under the lease agreement. Indeed, there is no longer a lease agreement between the tenant and yourself from the day of the lease assignment.

Thus, among other things, the tenant waives their right to remain in the premises, since they can no longer claim the right to return to live in the dwelling.

The assignee is not a new tenant within the meaning of the law, as they continue the contract that the assigning tenant had begun. Therefore, there is no new lease agreement to be signed . They do not have the right to have their rent fixed by the TAL. You are related to the transferee from the date of the assignment.

If you have any questions about a situation of termination, subletting or assignment of the lease, do not hesitate to contact our team specialized in real estate law for assistance.

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