Lease Takeovers vs. Subleases in NYC (2025 Guide)
Evelyn Yen,Co-Founder & CEO
§Introduction
If you're looking to live in NYC, you may have seen terms like sublease, lease takeover, and lease transfers. This can be confusing to a first-time renter when trying to decide which rental arrangement works best for your unique circumstance.
Both subleases and lease takeovers can help you save money in NYC's ultra-competitive real estate market. In this guide, we'll break down lease transfers vs subleases so that you can make the right decision based on what you need.
§What is a sublease?
§A sublease is when someone who's renting an apartment lets another person live there temporarily.
- The original renter is still responsible for paying the landlord.
- The new person (called a subtenant) pays rent to the original renter instead of directly to the landlord.
- This way, the original renter can let someone else use their apartment without ending their lease.
§Pros and Cons of a Sublease
A sublease is a great option for people who want to live in NYC for a short period of time, or need less strict requirements regarding credit and income.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Often has less strict requirements regarding credit and income. | Generally fewer subleases available compared to regular leases. |
| Shorter-term rental options, ideal for temporary stays. | Higher risk of scams since it's less formal than a regular lease. |
| Frequently comes furnished, saving on moving or furniture costs. | Fewer legal protections than regular tenants |
| Rent stays the same as what the original tenant pays, with a max 10% increase if furnished (in NYC). | If the original tenant stops paying rent to the landlord, the landlord can evict you even if you’ve paid the tenant. |
| You can rent a room in an existing apartment rather than needing to lease an entire unit. | No option for renewal or extending the sublease in most cases. |
§Who is a sublease for?
A sublease is often the best option for interns, students, short-term workers, people between homes, and people who are budget-conscious.
| Who | Description |
|---|---|
| Interns, Students, and Short-Term Workers | Those in NYC for a short time. This includes summer internships, semester-long study programs, short-term training, or temporary jobs like consulting or filmmaking. |
| Young Professionals and Freelancers | People who need temporary housing while starting new jobs or figuring out their next steps. |
| Transitional Movers and Explorers | People between homes or testing out NYC neighborhoods before settling down permanently. |
| Budget-Conscious Renters | People looking for affordable furnished places without broker fees. |
| Visitors and Remote Workers | People staying in NYC temporarily for at least 30 days. |
§What is a lease takeover?
§A lease takeover happens when you take over someone else’s existing lease agreement and become the official tenant.
- You take on the terms of the lease as they are, including the same rent and responsibilities.
- You'll pay rent directly to the landlord.
- You may also need to handle the security deposit transfer and sign a rental agreement to make everything official.
- This process is called an assignment of lease.
§Pros and Cons of a Lease Takeover
A lease takeover is a good middle ground between subleasing and signing a new lease. You get the flexibility to try out an apartment without the long-term commitment of a new lease, plus the security of being an official tenant with renewal rights.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Allows you to do a short-term trial run of a lease and choose not to renew if it doesn’t work for you. | Lease takeovers are generally harder to find than subleases and full leases. |
| Less competition than getting a new lease since you're dealing directly with the current tenant. | You have to stick to whatever's in the original lease - not much room to change things. |
| Many original tenants offer the option to buy their furnishings, saving you time and money. | You don't get to choose your roommates. |
| You can join an existing apartment without needing to rent a whole unit or negotiate a new lease. | More requirements than a sublease, like credit check and income verification. |
| You get all the same rights as a regular tenant, so you're fully protected. | |
| Easier than starting a brand new lease since most of the paperwork is already done. |
§Who is a lease takeover for?
A lease takeover is ideal for people who want the option to either stay longer or move out when the lease period ends.
| Who | Description |
|---|---|
| NYC First-Timers | People new to NYC who want to try living in the city before committing long-term. |
| Neighborhood Explorers | People who want to test out a specific neighborhood before settling down there. |
| Remote Workers | Digital nomads and remote workers considering NYC as a home base. |
| Cost-Conscious Renters | People looking to avoid broker fees and have the option to renew their lease. |
§Sublease vs. Lease Takeover: Which Option is Best for You?
| Feature | Sublease | Lease Takeover |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Ideal for short-term stays and temporary housing. | Allows a short-term trial run of a lease with the option not to renew. |
| Requirements | Often does not need a formal credit check or income verification. | Often requires a credit check and income verification. |
| Legal Protections | Fewer rights since you're not on the lease directly. | Full tenant rights and protections. |
| Roommates | You can't choose your roommates. | You can't choose your roommates. |
| Furnishings | Often comes furnished. | Many tenants offer to sell their furnishings to you, making move-in easier. |
| Availability | Generally more subleases available than lease takeovers. | Fewer lease takeovers available compared to subleases or full leases. |
| Scams and Risks | Higher risk of scams and eviction if the original tenant fails to pay rent. | Less risk of scams, but you lock yourself into the lease terms with limited flexibility. |
| Renewal Options | You usually can't renew - you must move out when it ends. | Option to renew the lease if it works out for you. |
| Process Simplicity | Informal arrangement with minimal involvement from the landlord. | Simpler process than signing a brand-new lease, requiring landlord approval. |
§Choose a sublease if...
- You need temporary housing for a few weeks or months
- You don't want full lease responsibility
- You're testing out neighborhoods or transitioning between homes
§Choose a lease takeover if...
- You ideally want to stay longer, but you're unsure if you'll like the apartment
- You want full tenant rights
- You want a direct relationship with the landlord
§The bottom line
Subleases are great for interns, students, or professionals in NYC for a short-term assignment. They're also great for digital nomads or anyone testing the city before committing to a long-term stay.
Lease takeovers work best if you're unsure about your plans and want the option to either stay or leave when the lease ends.
§Where to find subleases and lease takeovers?
You can find subleases and lease takeovers online. We summarize the top social media sites below, including Facebook, Reddit, and Craigslist. You can also use dedicated subleasing platforms such as Atlas Rooms, Leasebreak, and Renthop.
| Platform | Description | Popular Groups |
|---|---|---|
| Private and public groups where people list their sublets and lease takeovers. | Gypsy Housing, Young Females NYC | |
| Higher quality options due to better moderation | r/NYCapartments r/NYCroommates r/nyc_sublets | |
| Atlas Rooms | Largest collection of NYC subleases and lease takeovers from Facebook, Reddit, and Craigslist. Allows you to contact listers from private Facebook groups. | No group membership required to contact listers |
§Related Articles
- Looking for a sublease? Read our guide on How to Find a Sublease in 2025.
- Looking for a lease takeover? Read our guide on How to Find a Lease Takeover in 2025. Coming Soon
- Need help with your sublease search? Read our guide on the Best Websites to Find Subleases in NYC.