What is meant by "sublet" in leasing agreements?

In leasing agreements, "sublet" refers to a situation where a tenant leases their rented property to another individual, while still retaining responsibility for the lease agreement with the landlord. This means that the original tenant, often referred to as the sublessor, transfers the right to occupy the property to a subtenant, but does not relinquish their obligations under the original lease. The sublessor is still accountable for ensuring that the terms of the lease are upheld, including payment of rent and maintenance of the property.

This concept is particularly important in understanding the dynamics of leasing relationships, as it allows tenants some flexibility to cover their rental obligations, for example, if they need to move temporarily. It preserves the original landlord-tenant relationship while allowing for subleasing arrangements that can benefit both parties involved.

The other options presented do not accurately capture the essence of what a sublet entails. A new tenant leasing directly from the landlord does not involve an existing lease relationship, subleasing only a portion of the property describes a different kind of arrangement that may or may not qualify as a sublease, and vacating without notice relates to breach of lease terms rather than subletting.